Greater contrast is not possible…..

Walking through the almost busiest street of Amsterdam, De Kalverstraat, between lots of big stores and big advertisements signs, there is a neo-gothic gable with a parrot and the statue of Saint Josef.

This brown door gives entrance to the Holy Peters and Paul Church, better know as 'The Parrot'. At the door is a big sign with the text 'Een kwartier voor God' (A quarter of an hour for God), it is an invitation to come and leave the hectic of life behind, yes for only 15 minutes.

The Parrot was the former hiding-church built in 1700 in the yard of a house, probably a bird salesman. Around that time there was no freedom of believing, nowadays we are more 'tolerant' and The Parrot is an oasis of peace and quiet.

My dad was born in Amsterdam and every time we would visit the city, he would take me there and we would just walk around and enjoy the beauty, being a Mennonite, we have plain churches,  not as richly decorated as this church.

When I worked in Amsterdam and I had a 'bad-day-at-the-office-' I would just slip in and found my peace of heart I needed.

It was my privilege to show Ginnie and Tracy this beautiful place I used to visit with my dad who passed away in March 26 years ago.

Taken hand-held.