Lady's of Amsterdam enjoying the sunny day on the stoop
It was a wonderfully sunny spring Amsterdam day. These are the times the I love the most in this city. When everything is fresh and alive and the people are coming out of their winter exile. There is something magical. The days are warm and sunny and getting longer, but there is still a slight chill in the air.
On this particular day, my partner wasn’t feeling well so I was out and about with some friends. We all met up at noon at Charmain’s . We were headed to a production of Jesus Christ, Superstar an acquaintance was performing in.
I got a brand new bicycle (David and his "new" bike)
The problem was the tickets didn’t have the address or a number on them. The website was in Dutch and I wasn’t finding anything. I felt much better when Charmain couldn’t find the address either. We did find a number for people who had ordered tickets but not gotten them, why not try it. We shot and SCORE!
With the address in hand we head out to grab lunch. Somehow we all managed to not eat breakfast that morning. The lady C guided us to a nice café near the theater. We sat outside amount an eclectic group of people. Apparently one table next to us was going to a house warming party. They had a container of paint with cute little things written on it like “seal you love with a kiss and your house with this paint”. It was a different kind of gift.
David and Charmain bonding on bikes
We managed to order after a fairly long wait. The waitress was shocked that David and I were willing to take the soup of the day without knowing exactly what it was. Hey how bad could it be, I mean I’ve each heart and lung soup? We were enjoying the day, conversation, and people watching. It began to sprinkle the rain. The rule is as long as you aren’t getting drenched just sit there. I did wimp out and move under the awning with David and Charmain. When the food came somehow a soup had managed to disappear, we asked but despite incredible detective work by the waitress it was never recovered. Oh well, on to the theater.
We walk up and there is a crowd waiting to get inside. Good thing I bought tickets in advance, both sows were sold out.
Best way to get around the city other than a bike
Who knew Jesus was so big? But it was Easter weekend. When were going in I noticed by acquaintance’s name was spelled wrong. He is Sklyer, but on the poster they lost the large “S” and he was just “kyler”. I found it amusing and ammunition to mock him later, which I did. The show was held in a lecture auditorium. We actually had seats with pull out tables in front of us. The stage was a platform with classic Dutch stairs to get on and off it. Man, it is amazing they were able to navigate it without killing themselves. The show was a rousing success and a great experience.
The show over, we headed out. David wanted to go buy a bike.
Picnic in the park, Vondelpark
Since he is new to Amsterdam he needed his standard issue “Granny bike”. We decided to go as a group and then ride through Vondelpark. We swung by Charmain’s house and picked up her bike. Then we stopped for ice cream at Australian. I know it is strange to go to Australian for ice cream in The Netherlands, but it is really good stuff. They also do great chocolate. Next we swung by my place for my bike and a pit stop. Now the challenge 3 people, 2 bikes. David had to ride on the back of one of our bikes. I was elected since I am bigger. Doing this is a feat of balance coordination. The person pedaling has to begin moving the person riding on the back has to trot along and hop on sideways. It is all very interesting to watch and do.
Even the goth crowd was into it
We were a little wobbly in the beginning but got use to the ride. We ended up going through some heavy Saturday bike and foot traffic on the Haarlemmerstraat and then again behind Central Station. I never paid much attention to the slight hills in Amsterdam until I had a full grown man on the back of my bike, MAN!
Once David’s bike was in and all his we set out for the park. There is such an incredible feeling of freedom with a bike in Amsterdam. At least once you get past the terror of watching for pedestrians, other bikes, cars, trams, small animals, etc. We headed down the Singelgracht to Vondelpark.
The park was alive with people and animals enjoying the day.
Cookout
There were cookouts and couples and groups just lunging around the water. We made our way to the Blauwe Thee Haus (Blue Tea House). With drinks in hand we appropriated a table. The place was full and buzzing with the joy of a sunny day. A couple of tables over there was a cute little pitbull puppy enjoying life. I went over and let her have the last of my water from my glass. There was also the most adorable little French girl being so 2 years old with her mother. As we sat the sounds of a group of musician just hanging out by the water floated over to us. I also found out that there really are parrots and parakeets living wild in the park. They escaped from people and have breed and thrived. That is so cool.
After a little a banter and people watching we decided it was time to eat again. First we considered tapas at a cool restaurant on the other side of town, but then decided Wagamama was he winner for the night. We headed to the noodle bar and it was full as always. We seated by a guy who you could tell truly loved his job and life. After a very good meal and more people watching and conversation we decided it was time to call it a night. With kisses and hugs all around, we each cycled our separate ways. This was just a great Saturday in our great city.
