Interestingly, there was an art supply shop right along the sidewalk across the street from the pier where the ship was docked. The prices were a little better here.
Arnhem is known for the 1944 WWII battle which took place here, the story retold in the classic film, A Bridge Too Far. Fought mostly by Brits and Canadians, the battle plan was devised by British General Bernard Montgomery in an attempt to take the Rhine Bridge, invade Germany, and shorten the war. The battle was a stunning
loss for the Allies with over 3,000 Allied soldiers killed. The bridge abutments of the original bridge still stand with a newer superstructure spanning the Rhine.
It is strange and rather surreal to shop for art supplies and stand as a tourist taking pictures, watching bikes and cars cross this bridge where so many young men died. The town also suffered damage to most of the buildings, along with civilian deaths.
"American Indians" perform on the pedestrian shopping walks.
St. Nick is here, looking rather bleery eyed...
Shop for musical instruments...
Or cookies...
And say goodbye to Arnhem, passing through the old reconstructed city gate.
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