Here is a picture of our apartment in Amsterdam, up 32 steps to the third floor. You can see our open window in the picture overlooking the canal (Leidsegracht). The apartment is on route to Leidensplein a party plaza so on Friday night (probably the first hot and sunny day of the year) it was very noisy between midnight and 4 am, there was a lot of honking about 3 am. We looked out the window to see a huge white limo and a tour bus both on the tiny bridge crossing the canal. Neither vehicle could move and well it was a very amusing traffic jam. (I imagined that Bob Dylan was in that limo since he is here doing three shows here next week).
The streets of Amsterdam are endlessly beautiful and we have been wondering around. The women wear all kinds of beautiful fashions while riding their bikes and carry everything including children and groceries and flowers and cakes. They are so much more interesting than the sporty spice riders of Vancouver. Bikes, of all sorts, are everywhere.
Sunday seems to be a huge day for boating on the canal. There are all kinds of boats floating around including an incredible trumpet and french horn player who has a boat rigged up as a music box or player piano which accompanies his lovely playing, (there will be a photo of him on Flicker soon). We will be going on a canal boat and have chosen to support the non-profit St. Nicolas Boat Club (www.amsterdamboatclub.com).
We have visited the Paradox coffeeshop, where I hung out the last time I was here. It was was in process of being painted, but have a look at their fantastic fans.
We are also searching for the curiosity coffeeshop The Sanementereny, though we know where it is we cannot find it.
We are becoming accustomed to this new normal: enjoying ourselves and passing the time. I have cooked Moroccan Lamb with figs and pears to impress Yvonne with my cooking. Yesterday we ate Turkish Pizza near the Albert Cuypstraat market. They put a very thin topping of lamb and vegetables and then roll it up and cut it like a wrap. Super delicious.
It is supposed to get cold and rainy next week so perhaps we will visit some of the excellent museums. The Tattoo Museum comes to mind.
Today Yvonne was peacefully reading by the canal, while I was on a photo shoot but soon her quiet bench was overtaken by children.
WHAT ARE WE READING:
Yvonne just finished Miriam Toews " the Flying Troutmans and I have just finished Joseph Boyden "Three Day Road" Both highly recommended.
I will be posting photos some time soon on my Flicker site.
4 comments:
(I deleted my comment in order to correct my spelling mistake and it made a big deal of it. Next time I will just leave the spelling mistake)
Don't do EVERYTHING before I get there but then again, you will be able to tell me the good things to do.
Well, I tried just now to think of something interesting to say, but it's hard. Emma wants me to tell you that Lucas got elected to the COPE executive again. The vote was very close but thankfully he did not lose by one vote because I did not go and that would have made me feel guilty.
Enjoy your new life in its new time zone!
suzo (and emma)
Ohhhhh life al la dolce vida sounds enchanting.....from the sleeping ball of fluff lounging in front of the window....
I will ask my smoking friends in Amsterdam if they have heard of that coffee shop.
Reading about your adventures and non-adventures there makes me smile...
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