The Flower Market

The Amsterdam Flower Market, floating on a line of barges along one of the large canals, was one of many highlights of our trip, and probably the most colourful!  And there were hundreds of tulips for sale, surprise surprise!  We were in Holland after all.  It was raining, and the umbrellas were almost as colourful as the flowers, but we enjoyed it regardless.

Cut tulips are obviously a favourite of Dutch households, bought fresh if you live close to the market.

Lots of Tulip bulbs too, as well as bulbs of many other flowers.

Wooden Tulips seemed to be almost as popular as real ones, in a wide variety of styles, perhaps so the tourists can take some home.  We did not succumb, but enjoyed looking.

Judging by the walls of colourful wooden shoes, they must be good for gardeners - unless of course you're opening a refreshing cold drink after working in the garden!

We learned quickly how you have to duck and dive while walking a narrow pathway full of umbrellas!  We successfully avoided spearing anyone else with ours, or getting speared in return. There's a lot of up and down motion to carrying an umbrella here, to miss other heads!

This is the Flower Market, or 'Bloemenmarkt' from the back, a long series of barges floating in the Singel Canal, facing the sidewalk.  Tomorrow the Botanical Garden.

*****

I can drive again!  Today I got to use my temporary glasses for driving for the first time, and though they drove me dizzy when I first put them on, they worked fine.  Now I can start getting out and maybe even getting some pictures.  I'll be able to bring you back to the valley and share the wonderful snowy winter we're enjoying!