Sunday, May 16, 2010

alice in A-dam


Amsterdam, a city of winding canals, buildings that are built to lean over the street, tiny stairs that make my tiny feet look giant, tall people that make me feel like I am living in Alice in wonderland . . . and it truly is a wonderland. We got in late on Thursday night, the garbage people had been on strike for 2 weeks, so their were piles of garbage, not the clean and perfect Amsterdam I remember, but still incredibly charming despite the garbage.

The first day we had amazing Dutch pancakes, mine with apples and nuts and honey . . .incredibly delicious. Then we went to Keukenhof, the largest tulip garden in the world, getting there was a little annoying, taking the train back to shipol and then a bus for an hour, but it was worth it. Disney land for adults, bright colors, pictures taken of each variety, getting lost in a tall garden maze, where is the white rabbit? An uncountable number of tulip varieties and colors and beauty. Fantastic feast for the color fairy (my new nickname).

Back to the city, Erica goes out by herself and comes back, having been hit by a bike, ambulance comes and everything, the Dutch are so incredibly helpful, the bikes are so silent and fast and the shere number is astounding. My perfect city, a city of bikes and water. . . just watch out! Later, CCD and I go out to meet Mateo, who is with Dutch royalty and a giant of a man.

Day two, morning apple pie, a fantastic market, Jordan neighborhood, bicycle seat covers, sunshine . . . then off to walk the canals to the Van Gogh museum, way further than we thought. We get to the museum, amazing collection of paintings, some of my favorites including the almond blossom, and some new favorites that I had never seen before even in reproductions. Van Gogh never ceases to amaze me, his colors are so vibrant, his strokes are so evident, there is a reason everyone loves his works, they are down right incredible in composition, color, moss, feeling, all around, little works of perfection.

This city is such a feast for the senses; Indonesian for dinner, peanut sauce and mango juice is all I need in my life. Out with Mateo and Jan, for drinks. Discussing if there are any downfalls to the Dutch, decidedly no. Everyone bikes, is relaxed and chill, the city doesn’t have the hustle of a normal city, the city is non-smoking, vintage clothes, people love antiques, kids are loved, apple pie for breakfast, great medical care, really tall people, this city is perfect, new goal, find a Dutchman to marry so I can live forever in this city.

Going back to the airport to leave, my heart breaks a little bit, this place is perfect, a city I can see living in forever. Being confronted with the fact that I am moving back to the united states, I get a little sad. Truly I think I have found a city that I belong in, a city I could feel at home in, and it isn't the city I am living in or the city I am moving to, just always only Amsterdam.