There are a few things more synonymous with Amsterdam than rain and water, both of which the Dutch have truly mastered. The rain was overwhelming, like life, but being protected by boat was truly a metaphor in hindsight. Blessed by time- the timing of the weather, the time made by my friends to come to visit me, the time afforded to me to sit for a minute- events are converging all the time but we rarely can feel their significance. Hard to miss the convergence this time. (above: NEMO, Scheikunde, view of the famous Keizergracht houses) It is worth noting that I started this blog in Amsterdam in 2011 being inspired by the Dutch and having the opportunity to share it with these fellow humans in particular was unforgettable (and I forget most everything).
Scheikunde Address: B/C, Roeterseilandcomplex, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018 WV Amsterdam, Netherlands
Besides the rain and water, cycling is perhaps third in my book of what defines a true Dutch experience. There is, of course, the harrowing experience of riding in the old city- trams, people, cars and residents riding their half broken bikes at 30 mph dodging you and the rest – but once you’ve survived that and managed to not get killed or worse, terribly embarrassed, make the time to take the bike out along Amsteldijk to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. Cows, sheep, horses and vistas of farmland will greet you with open arms.
Along the route we took, I pulled a “hard stop” on my friends for the first, but definitely not last time- to grab a quick photo of the Nationale Postcode Loterij. The rest were taken while riding a bike- a self acclaimed talent I suppose- and are but a small reflection of the wealth oozing from the elite that can afford to own and build along this canal.
Nationale Postcode Loterij Address: Beethovenstraat 200, 1077 JZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Somehow I had never made it to Europaplein before which really surprised me. What a curiosity. No one is perfect and well, the Dutch are no exception. Scratched my head while I stood there and stared. Confounded. Yea, just that. Had to look real hard past the sculptures to see the buildings themselves- like with history as the built world is just that.
P.S. I dedicate this post to my dear friends Nigel and Fivos to whom I am forever grateful for their wisdom, love and most importantly- sense of style.
RAI Address (Europaplein): Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
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