Day 5- Rotterdam: Museum Day

Since it is raining outside, it turned out to be a perfect day to hit the museums on my list. But first, I had to hit the Apotheek for some cough medicine. The cute old man owner of the hotel said he was sick too and that the flu is going around, and pointed out the pharmacy. I was careful not to ask for a 'drug store', as that has a whole new meaning here.

On the way to the Apotheek, I passed a store that only sold toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouth wash. So specific!

The lady was very helpful at the store, but the stuff I bought isn't really helping. I am supposed to only take one dose, and it works for day or night. Very efficient, if it worked.

I hit the NAI, Netherland Architecture Institute, which apparently is the only museum on archituecture in the world. It was pretty neat. There was an exhibit on PJH Cuypers, known for the Central Station and Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and a ton of churches. His architecture and his views are still controversial because he chose a position in the debate on the significance of architecture in relation to religion in community. It was neat to see the original floorplans of St. Laurenskerk, the gothic church that survived the bombings.

There wasn't alot at the museum, but by buying addmission to the NAI, I could go into the Sonneveld house. It has been my favorite part of the trip so far. It was even more awesome because I had the whole place to myself for an hour. It was completed in 1933, and is one of the best-preserved houses in the Niewe Bouwen style, the Dutch branch of the International School of Modernism. You would think it was a house from the 1960's, so it was very interesting to see all of the modern conveniences in a 1933 house. I watched a really interesting video on the restoration. I was able to take a picture of a 'paint ladder', which is where they scrape down to figure out the original colors of the rooms. I could go on and on and on how cool the house was, but you can check it out on this link. http://static.nai.nl/e/sonneveld_e/index.html

Next I went to the Kunsthal, which is the Rem Koohaas designed museum. I guess they can have 6 exhibitions, but only 3 were running. I kept ending up in areas where I wasn't supposed to be, so I watched them working on the next exhibits. The best one was this gay exhibit. You could listen to songs from the gay jukebox. Thankfully, I could get the gist of the exhibit because it was all Dutch.

I am not feeling terrific, so I'm back at the hotel. I'm going to read in the lobby and people watch while I wait for Andy. I am even too tired to make it out to Hema. LOL.

Later!