Saturday 23 November 2013

Anne Frank Huis

It's hard to call a visit to Anne Frank Huis a highlight, but it certainly was one of the very memorable stops on our trip to Amsterdam in June this year.

There's always a long line. It's a bit slow moving.
But it's totally worth it.
You can buy tickets on line but we weren't sure that we would be able to squeeze  in a visit,
also it's really hard to access  a printer while you're travelling,
although you can also use a smartphone or tablet.
It's  astonishing to walk through the secret door that kept Anne hidden for all that time during the war. To climb the same narrow stairs that she did, and stand in the small rooms that held her life, where she did her lessons, read her books, listened to the radio, ate her meals, and where she wrote her diary (see my thoughts about her diary). If you can't make it to Amsterdam sometime soon you can take a pretty cool online tour


There is a moving exhibit at the end of the rooms. Sadly no photos were allowed inside. 

Anne Frank Huis has kept up with the times,
with an iPhone app.

 I haven't and don't really know what to do with these things,
or how they could add to my experience.
I must learn. 

Perhaps the 50th anniversary of Dr Who is weighing heavily on my mind (it's this weekend and the Wicker boys are Very Excited about it), but doesn't the little logo in the corner look ever so slightly like a tardis? If only The Doctor had been able to visit Anne. 

A statue of Anne nearby. 
Saturday Snapshot is a wonderful weekly meme now hosted by WestMetroMommy

13 comments:

Brona said...

I visited Anne Frank's House back in 1991 and it is indeed an extraordinary experience. My visit is still very clear in my memory.

The QR codes can be scanned on your phone with the approp app. I've used a few recently. Last year there was one at Sculptures by the Sea that added an extra animated image to one of the areas when viewed through your phone.
The Museum and National Library also had one's this year to enhance their exhibitions. It gives you close ups, info and directions. Esp helpful when the exhibition space is crowded and you can't easily read the provided plaques on the wall. They can also provide links to interviews and other audio extras (if you have your ear plugs with you.)

Brona said...

PS I was thinking of you and your family this week with all the Dr Who talk going on :-)

BooksPlease said...

That visit must have been so special!

We're well into the Dr Who anniversary this weekend - it's been great so far.

Unknown said...

That must have been a very moving experience. So many historic places don't allow photos. I understand but sometimes I just want to take that one photo...

gautami tripathy said...

Loved your series of photos. You made us a take a wonderful journey with you.

Thanks for sharing!!

Here is my snapshot post.

grammajudyb said...

As always, thanks for the travel photos. It is the only way I will be able to see some of the things you experience. Some acquaintances and I were discussing Anne Frank just this week and I was astonished to find out that the youngest did not know who Anne Frank was!. Seems unreal to me.

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

That had to be amazing. I would like to see that someday.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

A trip to remember! I want to visit Amsterdam someday...and this looks like a great highlight. Thanks for sharing...and here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

Joy said...

I would love to visit Anne Frank's house some day -- she was a large figure in my psyche at a certain age.

I don't think I know many people who could put Anne Frank and Dr. Who in the same post, but I must say I'm very happy to have found one!

Joy's Book Blog

Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) said...

Sounds like a fascinating exhibit. I wasn't aware that there were tours. I think I need to get out more.

Doctor Who does seem to be everywhere this weekend. Even Google is celebrating. And yes, that does look like a tardis. And, not only do I not know what to do with those QR codes, I don't even have a phone that will read them. Now I'm wondering if my tablet will read them. Too much new stuff to keep up with!

Jeanie said...

I was tremendously moved by my visit to the Anne Frank House and like you, wish there had been photos allowed. (I wrote about it here: http://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2013/01/anne-frank-and-anne-frank-house.html)

Places like this remind me that there is a world of which I know little and have experienced less. They also remind me there is much for which I am and should be grateful. I'm glad you "enjoyed" your visit (for lack of a better term.) Thanks for sharing with us.

bermudaonion said...

The Diary of a Young Girl is one of the few books I've read over so I really hope to visit there one day. I'm sure it was a very moving experience.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I don't think I will ever understand the prohibition against photos. To sell more postcards?