Amsterdam

Day 22. Today was a break day for me so I was not truly invested in analyzing the streets focusing on bicycling and urban design. Instead, I was more focused on exploring the arts. I found myself at the Stedelijk Museum, which has an emphasis on modern and contemporary art. Here I spent two hours admiring the works of artists from around the globe, feeling relaxed in the air-conditioned hallways. I came back from the museum feely lively and finally clarity from the heat.

This evening I had the opportunity to visit the Anne Frank House. This experience was sobering. Walking through the annex of where Anne Frank and her family hide from the Nazis for two years gave me refresh on my realization of my privilege. The part that had me really just lose my grasp on my emotions was hearing an interview from one of the family’s helpers come up the stairs saying, “the Gestapo is here”. That single moment changed the path of  Anne Frank’s family. After two years of hiding, making sure not to leave a trace, all be over with that sentence. I felt so many different emotions at once; loss, anger, sadness, and confusion. I can’t help but wonder, if the rug got pulled from under my feet would I be happy with the achievements and impacts I had created? This is a question that I hope we all ask our selves from time to time. I think it helps guide us in the right direction. I am happy with achievements, but I am not stopping now, nor will I ever.

Tomorrow I have another free day and probably will not write a post. I will share a bit of my presentation on topics I have chosen for my final project.

-Chip