Day 9, 21 June 2014 - Amsterdam's Albert Cuypmarkt. Even I, culture-hound extraordinaire, was suffering museum/walking/movement overload today. It was all I could do to haul out of bed by 9.30 am (even though I'd woken up a few times due to the brilliant sunshine since 4.30am). Finally out of the hotel for no other reason than to get my room made up, I just jumped on a tram. Then onto another tram. Had a look at the world famous (in Amsterdam) Vondel Park. Grass, trees, dogs doing business. I'm blessed to live in Sydney which does parks and beaches so well that I fail to get excited about lawns. Jumped on a tram. When it ran out of shops I got bored and changed to another tram line. That's when I hit pay-dirt. A week ago, almost to the hour, my airport shuttle brought me along Ferdinand Bol Straat (yep - him again - pupil of Rembrandt's and the first lucky guy to live in the house that became the Van Loon Museum). Anyways. Last week I saw a market and thought, must make it back there. And I just had. Introducing Albert Cuypmarkt. Around since 1905 (wow - 109 years), it has roughly 260 stalls and is the longest street market in the Netherlands. Due to allergy to moving that hit today I queried whether I really wanted to walk (at all) let alone down a tacky market. I managed however to get off the tram and head into the fray and I'm glad I did. Aside from anything else, there was an amazing baker's stand at the very beginning that had free samples - and it was 11 am and I was peckish and I ended up buying the nicest snail I've ever eaten - all spicy and full of juicy sultanas. As it turns out I must be blending in alright (not wearing 3/4 pants, reeboks, a back pack and a ball cap is a surefire recipe for de-touristing oneself). Someone asked me for directions in Dutch! Speaking of... I was chugged in the shopping street the other day (that's Sydney-speak for a charity mugging where annoying people try and guilt you into giving them money for refugees/koalas/cancer/sick children/surf life saving etc ad nauseum, ad infinitum). Well this lady starting talking in Dutch, helpfully switched to English and said she was doing a charity fund raiser - but, and here's the catch, I could only donate if I lived in Amsterdam. Winner! Moving on down the market, having already had dessert, I found my main course. Satay chicken (hmmmmm) - 3 massive sticks covered in spicy, goopy, indonesian style satay - for only €2.50. Just. Had. To. Do. It. This is an expensive town... but I left the market full right up to here for a grand total of €4.50. If only I could justify a bunch of red roses... 10 for €2.50... Really a great market to make the euro stretch further.

Back at the hotel by 2 pm after a final stroll through the Negen Straatjes (9 Streets) and the Jordaan. Fancied some veges after all that chicken, but it was not to be. Back to the eagle's nest for a snooze. Had been meaning to go to Anne Frank's house, but having spent a week in my very own Amsterdam attic, no longer had the inclination (or the urge to stand up for even 2 minutes in a queue that can take 2 hours). C'est la vie. Time to start looking at my Copenhagen Card guidebook and planning my next adventure.