Amsterdam Food and Arts

On our last full day in Amsterdam, we took it really easy.  We spent the day wandering around the city, no plan or agenda in mind.  Our first stop was at a bakery to grab some pastries and coffee before we stumbled upon the FOAM Photography Museum.  The FOAM building is located on the Keizersgracht canal and the building dates back to the 1800s.   FOAM usually has four exhibits on display at any time. 

foam photography museum amsterdam
Part 1 of a trilogy (Night Soil) by Melanie Bonajo.  A semi-documentary film that "looks at the healing effect of the hallucinatory herbal drug Ayahuasca- used in the Amazon rainforest for a thousand years." 

Part 1 of a trilogy (Night Soil) by Melanie Bonajo.  A semi-documentary film that "looks at the healing effect of the hallucinatory herbal drug Ayahuasca- used in the Amazon rainforest for a thousand years." 

amsterdam foam photography museum
amsterdam foam photography museum
A small part of the large exhibit by Ai Weiwei, a political refugee who lived under constant government surveillance.

A small part of the large exhibit by Ai Weiwei, a political refugee who lived under constant government surveillance.

Inside the FOAM museum

Inside the FOAM museum

Small cafe balconies overlooking the canal

Small cafe balconies overlooking the canal

amsterdam
Raw herring sandwich; a popular snack with the Dutch for over 600 years

Raw herring sandwich; a popular snack with the Dutch for over 600 years

amsterdam
A farmer's market with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses, freshly baked goods, and flowers.

A farmer's market with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses, freshly baked goods, and flowers.

The Red Light District (a somewhat innocent and slightly charming place during the day, different story at night)

The Red Light District (a somewhat innocent and slightly charming place during the day, different story at night)

Alley in the Red Light District

Alley in the Red Light District

Canal near the Old Church (Oude Kerk, not pictured), which is 800 years old.  It is Amsterdam's oldest building and church.

Canal near the Old Church (Oude Kerk, not pictured), which is 800 years old.  It is Amsterdam's oldest building and church.

 The Upstairs Pancake House is a quirky little restaurant.  It is the smallest restaurant in Europe with only 4 tables.  Luckily, we were able to make a reservation for the same day (we arrived around 11am, our reservation was for 3pm…

 The Upstairs Pancake House is a quirky little restaurant.  It is the smallest restaurant in Europe with only 4 tables.  Luckily, we were able to make a reservation for the same day (we arrived around 11am, our reservation was for 3pm).

The building to The Upstairs Pancake House dates back to the 16th century, so the staircase is very steep.

The building to The Upstairs Pancake House dates back to the 16th century, so the staircase is very steep.

Two out of the four tables in the entire restaurant; upside down teapots hang from the ceiling of The Upstairs Pancake House.

Two out of the four tables in the entire restaurant; upside down teapots hang from the ceiling of The Upstairs Pancake House.

Dutch pancakes are very thin, almost crepe-like.  This is a savory one; the bacon, cheese, and ginger pancake.

Dutch pancakes are very thin, almost crepe-like.  This is a savory one; the bacon, cheese, and ginger pancake.

A sweet pancake with bananas, coconut, and cream

A sweet pancake with bananas, coconut, and cream

If you happen to be walking around Leidseplein late at night, you'll be happy to know that FEBO will be open and waiting for you. 

If you happen to be walking around Leidseplein late at night, you'll be happy to know that FEBO will be open and waiting for you. 

A wall of vending machines filled with late-night comfort food.  Each item costs around 1.60 euros - 3 euros.  Simply enter your coins, open the small door, and enjoy your food.

A wall of vending machines filled with late-night comfort food.  Each item costs around 1.60 euros - 3 euros.  Simply enter your coins, open the small door, and enjoy your food.

Kipburger (chicken burger) with rundvleeskroket (beef croquettes); another favorite (not pictured) is the cheese souffle (deep fried gouda)

Kipburger (chicken burger) with rundvleeskroket (beef croquettes); another favorite (not pictured) is the cheese souffle (deep fried gouda)

Another great day of eating and exploring.  Just enough time to see everything we wanted to, and then some!  Tomorrow we will be up early to catch our train to Cologne, Germany.

Another great day of eating and exploring.  Just enough time to see everything we wanted to, and then some!  Tomorrow we will be up early to catch our train to Cologne, Germany.