I didn’t make it to the Van Gogh museum.

I went to the Anne Frank house first thing Sunday morning, hoping to beat the crowd; I still had to wait in line, and apparently, there’s always a line.

While I was waiting, I had the pleasure of listening to the lovely typical American couple behind me. Along with trying to figure out what actually happened in the Anne Frank house: “I read the book in 6th grade, but it was the kids’ version”…”I don’t know what happened, but it was bad”, they also made small talk about their day.

They, too, had come early hoping to avoid the crowd (I had come early hoping to avoid them). Annyoed by the line, the guy commented how they should’ve bought tickets online, and finally conceded, “nonetheless, it’s part of the plan.”

It’s part of the plan.

I was stressing trying to fit in the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh museum in one day; they are on opposite sides of town from each other.

Van Gogh was part of my plan.

As I stood there in line, I thought about my plan.

Well, first, I thought about how thankful I was not to be traveling with an annoying guy like the one behind me.

Then I thought about my plan.

I didn’t want a plan. I didn’t want to visit the museum just because it was part of the plan. Yes, I really wanted to see Van Gogh’s artwork, but I also wanted to experience the beautiful country that inspired Van Gogh. After all, it was spirit Sunday; and there’s no stress on spirit Sunday.

So I ditched my plan.

I took in the Anne Frank house, then went back to my bed and breakfast. I made a delicious breakfast and chatted with Frank the owner. He let me borrow his bike, and I rode through the streets of Amsterdam in the direction of the De Pijp neighborhood. I rode along the canals, stopping whenever I wanted to.

I didn’t make it to the Van Gogh museum. But I had a great Sunday without a plan.