While I was walking around near the Muntplein (where the Munttoren is) trying to find the right vantages, I saw plenty of other stuff.

One thing that caught my eye was how young and thin Amsterdammers are. Then I noticed the signs on many of the buildings for the Universiteit van Amsterdam. Ha! University students! Younger & thinner, at the mean, than the average person everywhere. One gross generalization that I confirmed & I know is true: the Dutch are TALL! There are many theories that try to explain it. Most say it is diet and health. Mine is that like plants growing toward the sun, Netherlanders are just trying to keep their heads above the water. I predict that Floridians will soon enjoy this advantage too.

The upper part of the Zuiderkerk, which had marked Noon in alternating clangs with the Munttoren's bells, was visible beyond the end of the Groenburgwal. Its tower & the canal made a pretty picture.

I must admit, I kept on thinking "I am so glad I don't have to park a car around here." Shortly after this photo one couple came through here driving a Land Cruiser! They had trouble with the corners and everyone just stopped and stared (also the monster was blocking the bridge). I didn't see them try to park it.

There was a house on the Groenburgwal just off the Amstel that, like a number of others, was painted black. Generally that makes for a dull picture. But viewed at an angle with the full sun the details stood out and it looked quite good.

As I walked back to the Muntplein I had to cross the Kloveniersburgwal on a steel-framed drawbridge. The style is pretty much the same as in the 1780 view of the Munttoren except this one is not made of wood.

There are a few wooden bridges left, but I didn't take photos of them. Mostly 'cause I didn't have my camera with me at all times. Darn. Here's a link to a Google Images search for one of the more famous wooden bridges, the Magere Brug . The link yields lots of (small) pictures of that bridge.

A short walk down Vijjzelstraat brought me to the Bazel building. Although it does a lousy job of fitting in with its canal-side neighbors, this building does a great job at breaking up its size into smaller shapes. The building is being renovated to house the local archives. Here's a link to more info.