On our recent return trip back to the states, we flew Delta/KLM. Delta had some repairs to their plane while in ATL and we sat in the plane (at the gate) for an hour while they did the repairs and ensuing paperwork. This made our connection in AMS too short to catch our flight to Warsaw.

So...KLM gave us a hotel and full board at the hotel. The lady (she was super nice, I will say) was so accommodating and suggested we go to the hotel, change, shower, etc, if we wanted to, then take the shuttle back to the airport, catch the train and check out downtown. And so we did.

Here are some pictures from that little unexpected adventure. We were dead tired, however, and weren't thinking too well. I didn't even think of looking up a local quilt shop, for which I am a little upset. Only a little, however, because we were in no shape to go on a walk around Amsterdam. If we even sat down for a few minutes, we were falling asleep.

So, let me share part of our little adventure with you.

This is the inside of the train we took to the city center

Graffiti - which I didn't even notice til I looked at the pictures. I was entranced by the buidlings.

As we were getting closer to the city center, you could see the water.

As you get out of the train, you head underground to get to the other side of the train tracks.

Then when you come out of the underground right by the train tracks, this is what you see.  I felt like I was once again in a fairy tale land.  So old. So beautiful! — Then when you come out of the underground right by the train tracks, this is what you see. I felt like I was once again in a fairy tale land. So old. So beautiful!

Looking out towards the city center, we noticed a lot of these little cruise boats and knowing how tired we were, I suggested it as something to do. I couldn't see ourselves walking and walking. We had been up since Thurs. am and this was Friday aft… — Looking out towards the city center, we noticed a lot of these little cruise boats and knowing how tired we were, I suggested it as something to do. I couldn't see ourselves walking and walking. We had been up since Thurs. am and this was Friday afternoon.

So we paid our 16 Euros and sat down to enjoy it.

I figured we needed to get on with it because I was falling asleep just sitting there in the boat.

I grew up from my teen years on in central FL so I truly felt like I was in the "It's a Small World" attraction as we floated past such buildings.  The only problem with that, of course, is that "It's a Small World" is fake - this was real! — I grew up from my teen years on in central FL so I truly felt like I was in the "It's a Small World" attraction as we floated past such buildings. The only problem with that, of course, is that "It's a Small World" is fake - this was real!

Bicycles everywhere. If you can't ride a bike for some reason, you are in a bad way there in Amsterdam. They were everywhere!

This is the word we use in Poland for the library. I'm pretty sure that is what it is. I liked the shape of it.

Now I really did feel like I was at Disney World.

There are 7 bridges here (I think, if I remember right) that, if lined up perfectly, you can see.  I only had a moment, however, to get pictures...Not sure I got all 7.  IT was very picturesque. — There are 7 bridges here (I think, if I remember right) that, if lined up perfectly, you can see. I only had a moment, however, to get pictures...Not sure I got all 7. IT was very picturesque.

No one explained what this was for. However, it made me chuckle.

A beautiful old church. Protestant probably.

Back at the port where you can see many different canal cruises.

We then walked a bit to see the "other side" of the train station to see the river front - that blue 'ship' is a ferry that took people from our side over to the other side.

Bicyclists were everywhere. You had to watch out for them.

Obviously I wasn't looking in the right spot, but these were about the only "soft" items I saw. Pillows - that looked like Amsterdam. I looked at them closely and these pieces must have been glued on as there was no stitching around that applique pa… — Obviously I wasn't looking in the right spot, but these were about the only "soft" items I saw. Pillows - that looked like Amsterdam. I looked at them closely and these pieces must have been glued on as there was no stitching around that applique part. The applique was some sort of a rubbery feeling type fabric - not a cotton, so probably not so easy to sew.

And there you have it! It's been a quick trip to the canals/city center of Amsterdam. I do want to go back some time when I'm not struggling with jet lag and missing a night's sleep and spend some time walking around - going to Anne Frank's house and the Jewish center and other very famous places.

I'll be sure to pencil in some time to sneak over to the quilt shops I've heard are there!

In the meantime, don't forget to check out the goodies my sis has for you in the USA. These are some fabric by the piece pieces. If you see something you like, get it. Her stock is mostly "destash" which means she won't have the same thing again!

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Quick trip to Amsterdam