I hate to keep talking about the weather - seems such a mundane topic. But it really has been relatively terrible since I arrived. We've been hit with the same abnormal amounts of rain as much of the rest of Europe, but today .... today was sweet. I type this from my little itty bitty balcony. It's 9:39 and the sun is still out! Hooray!
So this week in Amsterdam ... well, not much to speak of during the week really. I made a trip to the cinema on Thursday night to catch the new Harry Potter movie, but to no avail. Since Amsterdam is - for all intents and purposes - a relatively small city, the two movie theatres that are within walking distance of my apartment are no match for the throngs of people waiting with bated breath to see this film. It's customary in Holland to reserve tickets for movies the day of showing, if not in advance. I arrived to see the line out the door and - through very pieced-together smatterings of Dutch phrases and some impromptu sign language - learned that not only was the movie sold out for the evening, but they were sold out through Sunday's shows! Ahhh well.... it'll wait, I'm sure. At least 'til Monday!
So seems as if I've not delivered on my photos promise yet. Well, no time like the present, as they say. Let's see what I can come up with here ...
So this is my little balcony:
And this is the garden patio directly underneath my little balcony:
Everything is very green around here. It's a lovely break from the asphalt masterpiece that is New York City.
And this is a little Amsterdam wildlife:
This photo probably warrants a little explanation. In the Leidseplein [Lied-sa-pline] (home to Amsterdam's Hard Rock Cafe, among other tastey tourist traps), there is a little grassy green. In the grass and all along the brick borders of this grassy green are life-sized metal iguana statues. They're unique and very fake. Lucky for the pigeon...
The Begijnhof [Bay-gein-hoff]
The Begijnhof is a little cluster of old houses situated around an originally Scottish church and beautiful couryards, closed off from the rest of the world. Though they can be found in many countries, this Beginhof was established in the 14th Century as a home for the Beguines - members of the Catholic sisterhood living as nuns without taking vows and retaining the right to return to the secular world at any time. This is truly a sanctuary in the middle of the city. This past Saturday was slightly overcast and hazy, and there was a wedding in the church courtyard, but the "open door" policy was still in effect.
The Open Door:
And finally, a sight becoming more and more common in this city where the foundations are shifting over the canals and under the houses. The buildings leaning in a precarious fashion are to be found on just about every corner. On the right and a little to the left:
So that's it for this evening, I think. The weather's supposed to be fantastic tomorrow and I hope to be off to Haarlem which, fittingly enough for my fellow New Yorkers, is a bit uptown!
Oh - and if anyone wants to know what's making all the kiddies in Europe go nuts these days, it's a little something called "jump style." Imagine massive groups of people doing the equivalent of hop scotch and jumping jacks and you've got the latest dance craze. It's everywhere! My little toes-ies fell victim walking out of the supermarket last night, as two 12 year olds practiced their steps on the sidewalk. Have a look: Jump Style. 'Til next time!
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