Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
The Anne Frank House is a must to experience if you're in Amsterdam, Netherlands. There's no denying that. The Anne Frank House, also called the Anne Frank Huis, is a humbling reality. Anne Frank is a Jewish girl who went into hiding during World War II to escape the Nazis. You've probably heard about her journal The Diary of Anne Frank & its many other titles.
About Anne Frank
Anne Frank is known for keeping a diary during her time in the Secret Annex. She wrote short stories, diary entries, & favorite quotes from other writers. She wanted her diary to be published as a novel after the war, which was why she attempted to rewrite it. She didn't get the opportunity to finish because her family was discovered & arrested. Anne, her family, & four others hid in the small Secret Annex for two years before being found.
Waiting in Line
Prepare for a long queue if you want to visit the Anne Frank House. The waiting time ranges. I ended up waiting for 90 minutes, but I talked to a local who said it's not unheard of to wait up to four hours. It really varies per day & depends how long you feel like waiting in line. If you know ahead of time when you're heading to Amsterdam & the Anne Frank Huis, you may buy entrance tickets online, print them out or show them on your smart phone. It gives you a direct entrance. However, these tickets can be sold out months in advance.
Admission & Tickets
You may purchase your tickets in advance or buy them at the door. That just means you have to wait in the queue. Adult admission prices are €9. If you're 10 - 17 years old or have a European Youth Card, it's €4.50. You can learn more about prices, admission, & hours of operation here.
Once You're Inside
Photos, videos, & using your cell phone are not allowed out of respect for other visitors & to preserve the original documents & photos. That said, I have no pictures from inside the building. That's just something you'll have to witness yourself. Once you're inside, you can see the photos that Anne hung up in her room & even the lines on the wall to mark the growth of the children. Throughout the Annex you'll see personal documents from the Frank family & even some videos with background information.
The Overall Experience
The Anne Frank House is a place to learn & understand the history & horror of the past. It's not a palace with enormous chandeliers & gold covered ceilings. But it most certainly is grand. It's magical. It's thought provoking. You will leave the Annex feeling changed, feeling inspired, possibly even feeling somber but grateful. If you make it to the Netherlands & Amsterdam, absolutely take the time to go to the Anne Frank House. I recommend it to anyone.
Have you been to the Anne Frank House? Have you read her diary? I'd love to learn about your journey too! :]
The Overall Experience
The Anne Frank House is a place to learn & understand the history & horror of the past. It's not a palace with enormous chandeliers & gold covered ceilings. But it most certainly is grand. It's magical. It's thought provoking. You will leave the Annex feeling changed, feeling inspired, possibly even feeling somber but grateful. If you make it to the Netherlands & Amsterdam, absolutely take the time to go to the Anne Frank House. I recommend it to anyone.
Have you been to the Anne Frank House? Have you read her diary? I'd love to learn about your journey too! :]
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Copenhagen (Denmark) Street Art & Graffiti
I seriously love street art. Sometimes it has something important to say. Sometimes it has nothing to say. Sometimes it's just a visual to peak your interest. Sometimes it's colorful. Sometimes it's black & white. Sometimes you only find it if you're looking. I've featured several posts on the graffiti, stickers, & street art I've seen throughout the years.
There's Oceanside, Los Angeles, Seattle, Venice Beach, Canada, & Israel. Take a gander at some of my previous finds! Street art & graffiti always manages to capture my attention; I know it's not for everyone, but I shall forever enjoy the small but public art gallery that is street art. If you keep your eyes open, you can see the world.
There's Oceanside, Los Angeles, Seattle, Venice Beach, Canada, & Israel. Take a gander at some of my previous finds! Street art & graffiti always manages to capture my attention; I know it's not for everyone, but I shall forever enjoy the small but public art gallery that is street art. If you keep your eyes open, you can see the world.
Today I'd like to share with you the street art, stickers, & graffiti that I found throughout Copenhagen, Denmark. Denmark has a lot to offer for anyone interested in art, architecture, & history. Copenhagen, also referred to as København, is the stunning capital of Denmark.
There's The Little Mermaid sculpture made of bronze & granite, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. There's Amalienborg Palace, constructed in the 1700s, where you can see the changing of the guards as they march from the barracks. I visited these sites & admired their grandeur. However, I kept a keen eye out for any sign of graffiti on the streets.
There's The Little Mermaid sculpture made of bronze & granite, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. There's Amalienborg Palace, constructed in the 1700s, where you can see the changing of the guards as they march from the barracks. I visited these sites & admired their grandeur. However, I kept a keen eye out for any sign of graffiti on the streets.
Some of the street art I captured has political undertones & commentary on social issues. While some others are just silly little monsters. Take a look at this Copenhagen gallery for yourself. Let me know what you think of them. If you haven't ventured into a museum or art gallery lately, consider this a free admission. Hope you enjoy.
Which Copenhagen street art was your favorite? Do you have any in your city? Keep an eye out from now on. :]
Which Copenhagen street art was your favorite? Do you have any in your city? Keep an eye out from now on. :]
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Things To Do in Julian, California
Julian is a quaint town nestled in the mountains of San Diego County in Souther California. Julian is an official California Historical Landmark, ideal for a cute day trip with friends or a sweet weekend with your honey. It's located wayyyy up in what's considered to be North San Diego County.
This is a town known for its apples, think apple pie, hard apple cider, regular apple cider, apple butter, you name it. Julian is certainly a small town that you don't need too long to visit. It's not a place that you would need three days to explore, it's more known for its quaintness, apples, & charm. Julian is one of those places you absolutely need to visit. It makes a great day trip for a few hours or spent the night in a cottage as a weekend trip. You could even camp nearby.
I visited Julian CA several times as a little girl, but this was my first experience going as an adult with my own agenda. My boyfriend & I explored the town on foot; it's so petite that you can see nearly everything in about a day. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Julian CA & on Main Street!
Stop by this century old cottage for tea. Call ahead to make a reservation or come in early to do so. There are only a handful of tables, so don't miss out. You get bottomless tea for $3.95 per person & there's a lunch menu too. The teas are tasty & the food is handmade! Everything is so charming. We got the Cream Tea which came with buttermilk biscuits, jam, whipped cream, & lemon curd for $8.95. All handmade! Shop for tea, teapots, & everything tea related. Even my boyfriend loved the experience.
2. Julian Pie Company
Julian Pie Company is a must. This place is a legend. They sell their pies across the county, so they've gotten more popularity & you'll usually find a line out the door. There are only a few tables to eat at; you're lucky if you get a seat. We stopped by to try something different than their famous pies: cider donuts. Yep, apple cider donuts. They were pure heaven with a touch of spice. Kinda wish I had one (or two) right now. They offer chocolate, cinnamon sugar, & maple varieties. They have pies, of course, but don't skimp on the muffins. The pumpkin muffin is *MUAH! Chef's kiss delicious.
3. Old Julian Book House
Get your knowledge on with this cool bookstore. They have a vast selection from birdwatching to old school Nancy Drew novels. Most come at very reasonable prices but definitely not thrift store value. Some are vintage & some not so much. You'll find a variety of books. Each room has a few selected genres: religious, fiction, sports, to make your journey simpler. I was pleased to see anyone from young kids to grandparents in the book house.
4. The Candy Basket
Like sweets? Know someone who does? Stop by this nostalgic candy shop & buy some in bulk. There are plenty of taffys, gummies, chocolates, lollipops, & licorice to choose from. There's also those classic candies you rarely see anymore like Mary Janes & Walnettos. We purchased some of the cheaper bulk candies; kids will love you for it. Munch & reminisce.
5. Julian Soap Company
I adore handcrafted items made with love. Michaeline creates everything herself. Shop for soap slices, fabric wrapped soap, potpourri, room sprays, & more. You can smell the mixture of scents wafting through the air the second you walk in the door. If you're like me, you'll sniff everything before making a decision. I purchased the Lemon Thyme soap for my mom; she loved it.
6. Blue Door Winery
We were walking around & spotted a "wine tasting" sign. I was sold. You'll get six tastings for $10. Now that's a price I'll get on board for. I recommend their sangria; it was so scrumptious & poured in a reusable plastic cup you may keep as a souvenir. Wine is served in wine glasses. The tasting room is open, light, & welcoming. Feel free to bring your dog. Beware! Blue Door Winery is closed Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday.
Related reading: One of the Best Views in San Francisco: Pier 14
Support small businesses & browse the wonders that Julian has to offer! There's more than meets the eye. We had such a joyous time exploring & walking around the town. It was especially wonderful since it was cold & gloomy, an experience we rarely witness in San Diego. Which of these looks like a place you'd like to visit? Have you been to Julian? :]
Dark vs. Light || A poem
Look, I don't want to see you
in any kind of vision.
You're haunting, taunting my mind
treating it like a prison.
Well, let me tell you something
you probably ought to know.
You executed me once,
Truth is you softened the blow.
I dream about it often:
I'm flying high in the air,
escaping from what kills me,
but you greet me with despair.
Seems it's inevitable
that you'd stir up a terror.
Karma will get you, I know.
Call it trial & error.
I admit there's no denying
You may have won the first fight
That was then, this is now &
darkness always falls to light.
I am illuminated
by the ghost of the prior.
Consider me as a sun
Burning noble ball of fire.
I shall triumph past darkness,
shining like the brightest star.
My journey doesn't stop here
I'll continue to go far.
Bid adieu to all evil,
the wicked & the corrupt.
This is a revolution;
The intent is to disrupt
you from your malignant plot.
One sip from the holy grail
& it acknowledges that
the good will always prevail.
A poem by Carmen Varner
+++++++++
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