Arrival: Amsterdam

The train from Paris to Amsterdam was a good idea. Similar to Amtrak, but the passengers treated it less like a bus. It was very full, but comfortable (good seats, plenty of legroom, and excellent ventilation—plus the obligatory broken toilet). Mostly agricultural landscape until we got to Brussels, then it was more urban and got progressively cleaner as we headed north. (Paris still needs a good steam cleaning, in my opinion.) The ride was smooth and fast.

The Amsterdam taxi driver drove like a Chicago cabbie (except he wasn't rude to bicyclists or pedestrians), but he was very nice and even wore a jacket and tie behind the wheel of the Volvo. We got delayed by a closed road, but it wasn't too long to the house boat. Thank goodness for Google Maps, as I immediately recognized it. It looks more like a squat bunker than a boat.

After meeting the owner and learning all the ins and outs of the place (how to make coffee, lock up, etc.), we were on our own to enjoy watching the recreational traffic on the canal. Many boats, full of young and old. As I write this at 11 pm, it is very quiet and cool. Lovely.

Barring the occasional game of "where is the light switch?", everything has gone smoothly. We will likely visit a museum or two tomorrow, once we figure out how to buy a transportation card.

Photos: the view from the living room and an evening visitor (looking for food).

The Aalto House

After walking around the neighborhood this morning, Mom and I ventured to the suburbs beyond Versailles to visit a house designed by the Finnish architect Aalvar Aalto. It was commissioned by a prominent Parisian gallery owner, Louis Carre, in the 1950s, and is now owned by a group that is preserving and restoring it. His wife lived in it until her death in 2002 (if I remember the date correctly), so the house is largely intact.

Like Frank Lloyd Wright, Aalto designed the furnishings and lighting for his houses, so it's good that they have all the original items—barring the wonderful artwork, of course! Carre worked out of this house and used it like a gallery to display contemporary art. Several walls were designed to display art, and Aalto also modified his light fixtures to properly light the art at night.

I was allowed to take photos, but without a flash. So I just photographed a few of my favorites. I bought a large book about the house that has wonderful photos, including many from the Carrre's elaborate garden parties. Sadly, the extensive gardens have been removed and the trees allowed to encroach upon the house.

Photos: exterior (dining room window at left, entrance under overhang, library window with vertical slats in the center under a larger overhang, and living room windows on the right), living room, wife's bedroom couch, bathtub, library.