Saturday, December 15, 2007

Left DC yesterday evening (Friday) and arrived in Amsterdam for layover at 7:30am. I'm on the same flight as Catherine and Akin. Since we don't fly out again until 1pm, I want to go into town, but didn't have the time to really research options prior to leaving home. I know there are Rembrandt paintings here though, so that is a priority. Found a museum shop in the airport and a book on Reijksmuseum with directions in the back, so double-checked with the cashier on exactly how to get there and talked Akin into going with me. :) Catherine can't leave the airport without a transit visa. Had to exchange some money into euros, then took the train to Amsterdam Centraal, and then a tram to the museum. Sun finally came up by the time we were taking the tram, so could see more of the city. Very dutch architecture, canals, european stores. Nothing really going on since it's early on a Saturday morning. Arrived at Reijksmuseum at about opening time, and had 1 to 1.5 hours to go through it.
Museum focuses:

• colonial power, especially naval
• dollhouses
• silverwork - gorgeous relief work
• blue & white porcelain: biblical or chinese figures, unique vases
• paintings: landscapes, still life of food, festive groups, portraits
• Rembrandt!: sober colors, stark contrasts of light, fine lines scratched into paint. focus on facial expression, little in background, true to life.
• Van Ruisdale: landscapes - low horizons
• Jan Steen
• Vermeer
• paintings of church building interiors
• Karel du Jardin: bible stories and other allegories

Really enjoyed the museum, particularly the paintings! Hurried back to the airport, picked up delicious pastries on the way. Met back up with Catherine. Turned out the plane to Nigeria was delayed an hour. Flight was another 8 hours, so slept, watched movie Stardust, and talked with the 2 Nigerians next to me. The guy asked me if I'm from New Zealand. Although I know I have a chameleon accent (changes depending on who I'm speaking with), I believe that kiwi association is a first. Quality of the airplane had decreased on this leg of the flight-- a common complaint of Africans. They pay the highest airfares, yet get the lower quality equipment. I believe this is standard across airlines, not just KLM. KLM employees also appear to be purely dutch, not international. Still, international travel is WAY nicer than domestic US flights. That fact alone helped me realize how "close" Africa is. Prior to this trip, Africa was still a very foreign place. Now I see it as simply being a longer flight away, no longer strange or unknown.

Arrived in Lagos on Saturday night. Friend of Sawyerr family (Mr. Clemons) helped us get our baggage and smooth the way through customs. Huge pile of people waiting for arrivals outside - loud and disorderly - have to push your way through, rejecting taxi offers at every turn. The airport isn't huge, but they are redoing the parking lot, so right now there is no parking which probably adds to the mayhem. Although I've been warned that traffic in Lagos is horrendous, it's very clear on the way from the airport to Sawyerr's home since it's Saturday night. The airport is on the mainland, so we cross a bridge (one of 3) to get to Victoria Island. Lagos city encompasses land on the "mainland", Lagos Island, Victoria Island, and one other island.

Arrived at Sawyerr home, ate, and went to bed at 1 or 2 am. Catherine and I are in a room with bunkbeds, AC, and our own bathroom -- wow! Slept straight through until next morning after 10am, so missed church.