Good bye Fosters and the Concertgebouow

Sept. 20, 2006 Today we took Connie and Fred to the airport, since someone in this group has to WORK!!!???- but I won't say who (lawyer, hint, hint).....
After we saw the Fosters off (with an extra bag from us stuffed with souvenirs and gifts), we went back to the Amsterdam with Marjolein to the Concertgebouow (Concert Hall). Marjolein's brother, Jan Henk, is the facilities director there and he gave us a complete tour of the hall along with its history.
This picture shows us above the main concert hall in the working area above the lights and chandeliers.
We then went to our reserved seats, which were just three seats down from where the Queen sits, and we were treated to a practice concert by the orchestra. It was really special and the acoustics of the hall is one of the top three in the world. The individual sounds of each instrument really was incredible. After the concert we all had lunch with Jan Henk at a local cafe frequented by many people of the concert hall.
From here we walked to the Van Gogh and spent time with the impressionists. So many of these painting are just incredible.
After we returned to Mark and Vivienne''s home, Carol and I left for dinner with Peter and Helga Beij. They live very close to the Soesmans. I helped Peter and a group of his administrator friends during a tour of southern California last year. Peter has stayed with us both in our intown home as well as when we lived in the country. We had a wonderful meal with Peter and Helga at the restaurant "De Knip" just outside of Voorburg on a canal.
We will be staying at the Beijs' summer house in southern France (Nimes) for the last week of our trip. They are good friends and gracious hosts.