Amanda in Holland Read online

  “I believe so,” replied Leah.

  “Look at that one with all the cats on it!” Amanda pointed to a long, low boat docked in front of some tall houses. Cats of all sizes and colours lounged on the deck. Others wandered about, barely glancing at the boats passing by.

  “It says ‘De Poezenboot’ on the side. I wonder what that means.”

  A woman sitting in front of them turned around. “De Poezenboot means ‘the Cat Boat.’ It is the only animal shelter in the Netherlands that floats on water. Henriette van Weelde and her daughter started rescuing cats and eventually bought a canal boat to house and care for them. Volunteers take care of the cats until a loving home is found for them. We care about our animals here in the Netherlands.”

  “Can you visit it?” asked Amanda.

  “Oh, yes. It has become a world-famous tourist attraction. It is the one and only Cat Boat.”

  “We found a puppy yesterday, in a box by some garbage cans.”

  “No! I can’t believe it. How awful.” The woman frowned. “What have you done with the poor thing?”

  “My dad is taking him to an animal shelter today,” answered Leah.

  Amanda took a picture of the Cat Boat. As she lowered her camera, she noticed a boy carrying a tabby cat stepping onto the boat. She lifted her camera and zoomed in. The sturdy blond guy looked a lot like Jan, the boy they had met in the park the day before.

  Leah stood up. “We’re almost at the Anne Frank House. We need to get off.”

  “Thanks for telling us about the Cat Boat.” Amanda smiled at the woman as the tour boat pulled in to a drop-off point.

  Leah led them to a tall, dark house with a brass plaque on the door that read, ‘Anne Frank Huis.’ A long line of people wound its way down the street and around the corner.

  “Ugh! I knew there would be a long queue.” Leah scowled as they made their way to the end of the line.

  “I wonder how long we’ll have to wait.” Amanda looked around. “I have to find a bathroom.”

  A woman with an Anne Frank House tag on her vest walked by. “Excuse me. Can you tell me how long we’ll have to wait to get in?” asked Amanda.

  “It will be about an hour.”

  Amanda spotted a sign for a public bathroom and said to Leah, “Do you mind waiting in line while I use the bathroom and take some pictures of that church over there?”

  “Sure, go ahead. But stay out of trouble, and mind the bicycles!” Leah pulled her hair back into a ponytail and wrapped an elastic around it.

  Amanda took pictures of the church called Westerkerk and its tall bell tower. Skulls carved into the stone above the door looked fascinating, but kind of creepy. She stepped inside to take more pictures and saw a sign explaining that Rembrandt had been buried in the church. She remembered him from the park.

  She bought postcards at the gift shop and asked the sales clerk, “What does Westerkerk mean?”

  “It means ‘the West Church.’”

  Amanda left the church and walked around a corner, where she saw a brass statue of a young girl with her arms behind her back, her head held high and a sweet smile on her lips. She stepped closer. The sign below indicated it was a statue of Anne Frank, who lived from 1929 to 1945. A chill ran through Amanda when she realized Anne had been only sixteen years old when she died. She snapped a picture.

  “It’s a good likeness, don’t you think?”

  Amanda jumped back, straight into someone. She swung around.

  It was Jan from the park.

  “Oh, you—you startled me.”

  “I apologize for that.” He brushed his hair from his eyes. “Where is your puppy, Joey, I think you called him?”

  Amanda looked down. “My friend’s dad is taking him to an animal shelter. He isn’t my dog. We found him, abandoned.”

  “You should have told me. I work at a rescue centre.”

  Amanda’s eyes lit up. “Do you work at the Cat Boat?”

  “Ja, I volunteer there. I just finished my shift.”

  “You must really like animals.”

  “I do, and these shelters always need extra help, so I volunteer at a few of them. I hope your friend’s father is taking the puppy to a good one.”

  “Aren’t they all good?”

  Jan shook his head. “Most are, but some are not so good.”

  Amanda looked at a clock on a nearby tower. “I’d better get back. Leah is holding our place in line. See you around.” She flashed a big smile and hurried back to Leah.

  “What took you so long? I was getting worried. We’re almost at the front of the line.”

  “I was taking pictures and I bumped into Jan, that boy we met in the park yesterday. He volunteers at animal shelters, including that cute Cat Boat place. He said not all the centres are good.” Amanda wrinkled her brow. “I hope your dad took Joey to a good one.”

  “Don’t be daft. They’re all good. Joey will be well taken care of. Here we are. Get your money out.”

  Amanda choked back a lump in her throat.

  4

  THE GIRLS PAID THEIR ADMISSION AND FOLLOWED THE REST OF the group. They watched a short video explaining how Anne, her parents, her sister, and four others hid for two years in the secret annex of the house, which was also a workplace and storeroom. Anne was thirteen when her family went into hiding to escape being caught by the Nazis and put into concentration camps just because they were Jewish. She wrote in a diary, given to her for her thirteenth birthday, about life in the annex and her thoughts while she lived there.

  Amanda noticed quotes taken from Anne Frank’s diary painted on the walls. She read one:

  One day this terrible war will be over. The time will come when we’ll be people again and not just Jews! —Anne Frank, 11 April 1944

  Amanda looked away and swallowed.

  In the middle of what used to be the storeroom sat a scale model of the hiding place, to show how the secret annex had been furnished. Amanda shuddered as she thought how awful it must have been, cooped up in a small space for such a long time.

  She noticed another quote from the book. Her stomach quivered.

  During the day our curtains can’t be opened, not even an inch. —Anne Frank, 28 November 1942

  The girls followed everyone to a bookcase. A guide explained that it was the original moveable bookcase built to conceal the door to the hiding place. She demonstrated by pulling the bookcase away from the wall, revealing a door to a set of stairs. “During the day, when the warehousemen were working downstairs, everyone had to sit still and not make a sound.”

  Amanda thought about how difficult it would be for her to do that.

  The guide motioned for everyone to make their way up the steep, narrow staircase.

  Once in the rooms, Amanda asked, “Why are the rooms in this hiding place empty?”

  The guide explained, “After everyone was arrested, the Nazis emptied the rooms. After the war, Anne’s father, Otto Frank, turned the house into a museum. He insisted the rooms remain empty to symbolize the void left behind by the millions of people that were taken from their homes during the war and never returned.”

  “Thank you.” Amanda blinked to hold back her tears.

  “Look at this.” Leah stood by a wall with pencil marks and numbers. “This is where Anne’s parents kept track of how much she and her sister grew.” She peered closer. “Anne grew thirteen centimetres while they lived here.”

  They went inside the tiny room Anne shared with her parents’ friend. Faded pictures of film stars and famous people decorated the wall above where her bed and desk would have been.

  “I remember this from the last time I came here. Anne cut these out of magazines and pasted them on the wall.” Leah walked over to a picture of a girl with wavy hair and a sweet smile. “This is Princess Elizabeth, our queen when she was a young girl. Anne was a huge fan of hers.”

  “It seems she was interested in art as well.” Amanda pointed to a picture of the famous Rembrandt.

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bsp; They looked through the other small rooms and then left the hiding place. Amanda took a deep breath as if she herself had been stuck indoors in a tight space for two years.

  More pictures, quotes and videos were shown in the front house. Anne’s original diary and loose pages of her notes, displayed behind glass, caught Amanda’s attention.

  She stopped to watch a video of Otto Frank, the only survivor of the eight people who had been in hiding together. He talked about coming back to the house after the war and how sad he was to learn about the death of his wife and daughters. He explained that one of the workers had found Anne’s diary after they were arrested and taken to separate concentration camps. She saved it and gave it to Mr. Frank when he returned. He had it published so Anne’s dream of being a published writer would come true. He never imagined it would become one of the most widely read books in the world. At the end of the video, he said, “We cannot change what happened anymore. The only thing we can do is learn from the past and to realize what discrimination and persecution of innocent people means. I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to fight prejudice.”

  Hot tears rolled down Amanda’s cheeks. Leah put an arm around her.

  “I was only eight when Mum brought me here the first time. I cried too.” She gave Amanda a squeeze. “Come, let’s go into the gift shop.”

  They entered the shop and Amanda noticed another sign above a pile of Anne’s books.

  When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived! —Anne Frank, 5 April 1944

  The girls chose postcards. Then Amanda picked up a copy of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. “I just have to buy this.”

  “Where are you from?” asked the salesclerk as she put the book and cards in a bag.

  “I’m from Canada.”

  “That’s wonderful. My grandfather talks a lot about the kind Canadian soldiers who helped liberate Holland from the Nazi occupation. In fact, my aunt married a Canadian soldier and moved to Canada after the war. So I have cousins over there.”

  “My great-uncle was in Holland during World War II. He went missing in action.”

  “I am so sorry to hear that. There are many Canadian war memorial cemeteries here in the Netherlands. The Dutch people are very thankful for what the Canadians did for us.” The salesclerk smiled and handed the bag to Amanda. “Enjoy the rest of your visit.”

  They walked back out into the bright sunshine. The tall houses were reflected in the still canal water. Amanda took another deep breath and pulled out her camera.

  “This is definitely a photo op. It’s just like a postcard.”

  Leah’s father showed up with Joey on a leash.

  Amanda squealed and ran over to the puppy, who jumped into her arms.

  “I thought you were taking him to a shelter,” said Leah.

  “They wouldn’t take him. They’re too full right now. They gave me a list of other places, but I didn’t have time to go looking for them. I figure since we are going out into the country this evening, someone at the bed-and-breakfast may know of a place. Are you girls ready for lunch?”

  While eating lunch at an outdoor café, the girls talked about Anne Frank. Mr. Anderson filled them in on the war and how terribly the Dutch people suffered.

  “How did the Nazis find out that Anne and her family were hiding in the building?” asked Amanda. She ripped off a piece of her bagel and gave it to Joey. “They were being so careful.”

  “No one really knows. Perhaps one of the workers figured it out. Nothing has ever been proven as to who betrayed them,” replied Leah’s father.

  “When did the war end?”

  “In Europe, it ended in May 1945.”

  “They were arrested in August 1944. If only they could have lasted nine more months. It’s just so sad.” Amanda gave a heavy sigh.

  “That’s why we can’t judge people on race or religion.” Leah took a sip of orange juice. “Some girls at my school were bullying a girl from Pakistan. She was so nice, and I felt sorry for her. When I told the headmistress, I wasn’t very popular with the other girls, and they wouldn’t speak to me. But I didn’t care.”

  “That was such a nice thing for you to do, Leah.” Amanda hadn’t seen this side of her friend before.

  “It’s nothing. I just can’t abide mean people.” Leah’s jaw tightened.

  5

  WALKING BACK TO THE HOTEL TO GET THEIR BAGS, THEY PASSED Dam Square, where hundreds of people were milling about. A large crowd gathered around a stage.

  “I wonder what’s happening here,” Amanda questioned.

  As they got closer, Leah exclaimed, “It’s a puppet show!” She ran ahead, pushing her way through the crowd.

  Amanda handed Joey to Mr. Anderson and followed Leah.

  On the stage stood a gypsy-style caravan painted pale blue and decorated with flowers, butterflies and cherry blossoms. One side was cut out for the theatre. The puppets, dressed in traditional clothes, argued in Dutch. The smaller children squealed and laughed when the female character hit the male character with a wooden shoe.

  “This is very funny, is it not?” asked a young man.

  Amanda took her eyes off the show and glanced beside her. There stood Jan, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Are you following us?”

  “Of course not. You just happen to be wherever I am.”

  “Well, where are you going next? And we’ll make sure not to be there.” Amanda smirked.

  “Actually, I need to get to the countryside to see my Opa and Oma.”

  “Who are they?”

  “My mother’s parents. They live on a farm and need my help.” Jan swept his hair from his intense blue eyes and looked around. “Is Joey at the shelter now?”

  “No, he’s with Leah’s dad. They wouldn’t take him at the shelter.” Amanda’s eyes lit up. “Hey, we’re going to the country too.”

  Just then, Mr. Anderson shouted, “OK girls, we need to move along.”

  “Leah, we need to go.” Amanda tugged at her friend’s sleeve.

  They walked back to where Mr. Anderson and Joey waited. Jan followed them.

  “Dad, this is Jan. He needs a ride to the country; can he come with us?”

  Jan explained where his grandparents lived.

  Leah’s dad said, “Sure, you can come along. That’s very near to where we’re going.”

  “Dank je, I mean thank you.” Jan nodded and absently patted Joey’s head.

  They walked along the canal. Amanda still couldn’t believe the amount of bicycles that crossed the many bridges and flooded the streets. “I’ve never seen so many bikes at one time.”

  Jan chuckled. “Some say there are more bicycles than people in Holland. It keeps the citizens in good shape and is much better for the environment than cars.”

  “Look at that!” Amanda pointed to a series of huge block letters that spelled AMSTERDAM in front of a large building. People leaned against them and others sat on them.

  “Dad, can you take a picture of us by them?” Leah took the puppy out of her father’s arms. “With Joey and Jan.”

  The young people stood by the large letters as Mr. Anderson snapped pictures with his phone. “OK, now we really have to get going.”

  “I need to get my things. Should I meet you at your hotel in thirty minutes?” asked Jan.

  “Perfect,” said Leah’s dad. “We’ll see you there.”

  Jan frowned as he stared at a group of cyclists passing by.

  They all piled into the car, Leah in the front, Amanda and Jan in the back with Joey between them.

  Amanda enjoyed the scenery as they drove along the highway. “It’s so flat and very green.”

  Jan explained how Holland is actually below sea level in many places, and dykes were built to keep the water out. “No doubt you have heard the story of the little boy and the dyke?”

  “No, I haven’t.” Amanda shook her head. “Tell us?”

  “Well,” Jan began,
“a long time ago, a small boy was on his way to school when he noticed a leak in the dyke. He saw the seawater trickle through the opening and knew that even a small hole could eventually become bigger. If too much water flowed through, the village could be flooded. So, he poked his finger into the hole to stop the water, even though it meant he would be late for school and get into trouble. He stood there with his finger in the hole for a long time, until eventually someone saw him and got help. The hole was repaired, and the boy became a hero for saving his village.”

  “That is such a great story. Is it true?” asked Amanda.

  “It’s more like a legend. The story is told to children to show them that even a small child can prevent a disaster if they use their wits. Actually, an American author, Mary Mapes Dodge, first wrote about it a hundred and fifty years ago in her book, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates.”

  “That’s so interesting, don’t you think, Leah?”

  “Yeah, sure.” Leah turned the page of her fashion magazine. “I heard that story when I was a little girl. What do you think of this outfit?” She turned around and held up the page.

  Amanda smiled. “That’s very nice. It would look good on you.”

  Everyone kept quiet as they passed more farm buildings and neatly tilled fields.

  “Turn left,” said the GPS woman.

  Mr. Anderson turned the corner and slammed on the brakes. A large, angry goose stood in the middle of the road with its wings flapping and neck stretched forward as it honked.

  Amanda laughed. “What a silly goose!”

  “That’s my grandfather’s goose. He likes to think he is protecting the property,” said Jan.

  “You mean he’s like a guard goose.” Amanda grinned.

  Jan got out of the car and spoke to the goose in Dutch. The irate bird finally left the road and waddled into the field, his eye still on them.

  Leah’s dad rolled down the window. “Thanks, mate. I wasn’t sure how we would get past him. Get back in and we’ll take you to where you need to be.”

  Jan climbed back into the car. “You can drop me off over there.” He pointed to a farmyard in the distance.