Guess where we are? For Karen it's been nearly 40 years, far fewer for Steve , but fortunately the Old City of Amsterdam, with its series of concentric oval shaped canals and narrow cobblestone streets has changed little.
Tall slim houses, "grachtenpand", line virtually every water way. Beautifully maintained, most still have the old pulley systems mounted at their top to bring furniture and heavier items upstairs while avoiding narrow stairways.
Bridges support countless bicyclist, who share the roadways with pedestrians modern trolleys and the occasional car.
There are many ways to travel, or live on the canals - from pedaling along to powered barge or houseboat.
From the water, views are spectacular. Old Dutch boats, the green oxidized maritime museum (which Steve lived) and silhouettes of old churches dot the waterways.
A sunset champagne cruise with friends in a minature trumpe type boat makes the day complete.
Amsterdam comes highly recommended, but just don't wait as long as we did.
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