Reducing, recycling, and reusing what we use on a daily basis are simple habits that help keep our environment clean. Saving water, eating a plant-based diet, being creative with what’s in the fridge and eating leftovers are what I do to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
In short, I don’t waste food, use a metal water bottle, recycle whatever I can, keep a plant-based diet, collect grey water from the kitchen sink to feed my indoor/outdoor plants, ride a bike, walk or take public transportation, be mindful of what I buy, how it’s made and what its made of.
I do what I can to conserve water. I rather have water go to my plants than down the drain. Plants in my apartment need watering at least once a week, so I collect grey water while running the water in the kitchen sink. Plants don’t need perfectly clean water. I also try to take short showers and keep the water on just while I rinse.
I have to travel to the food market almost every other day, and I go by bike or just walk. It’s one of the benefits of living in a city is having things like markets, pharmacies and almost everything I need close enough to bike to. On the way to the market, I usually have a bag full of my recyclable waste that’s been properly cleaned and identified along with me. Cardboard, glass and paper are sorted out and placed in their respectable city provided containers close to my home. This all takes a little more effort, but makes a difference in the long run.
Recently, I have been drawn to the African continent. Simply put, there’s lots here to explore for those who are curious about cultures, geography and history. I have been drawn to the desert over the years because I currently live in a country made up of lands that have been reclaimed from underwater. It’s flat and there’s lots of water.
These are pictures of my most recent trip to the Horn of Africa (Sudan, Djibouti, and Somaliland). I’m curious to explore more of West, Central and North Africa.
The specific countries I’m currently interested in visiting are Libya (ancient Greek Roman ruins), Senegal (the coast), and Mali (UNESCO sites/Azawagh Arab cultures in the Sahara). Two out of three of these are unavailable to me due to safety concerns, but someday the conditions will be right for a visit. Until then, I’ll continue to research both online and in books.
These are things that the cheery brochures will not show present day reality. Snow on April (fools) 1st, rain, sun, flowers, wild life and work being done around the city with no determined end date. Temps are steadily rising, flowers can’t be stopped and rain is more the norm this month. As the dutch saying goes: “April…do what you will.”
1 April Snow in Jordaan4 April Angry Birds on Haarlemmerstraat4 April Tulip days – Amsterdam Centrum5 April April Grey – Spuistraat, Amsterdam7 April Brouwersgracht Tulips – Brouwersgracht and Brug 1487 April Spring flower Boxes – Brouwersgracht8 April Rozengracht Construction – Rozengracht and Prinsengracht
Many of us back prior to late winter of 2020 thought little of getting on a plane or bus to go and see someone or some place near or far. It was more a matter of price and distance than risking your health to visit a friend or distant land. We could plan well ahead or just a few days before depending on the purpose and complexity of the trip. These days, there’s no question that there are even more obstacles to plan around than just a couple of years ago. Travel restrictions concerning health and safety protocols are officially dropping in places like Europe, but many places are still not back to what normal was and perhaps never will be. Streets in places like here in Amsterdam are still very quiet and you almost never see a long line at the Anne Frank House. Yes, it’s that bad.
Quiet canals
Places like Amsterdam need to get tourists back since our economy relies way too much on the money the tourist groups big and small spend here. I kind of miss seeing tourists from outside of Europe and the diversity they brought with them. I know I’m not alone when stating that. Yeah, I can remember it wasn’t all tulips and rainbows when it came to all the near misses involving tourists and their lack of biking skills, but not everyone is lucky enough to live in a place where bikers have rights. These same people have always brought new faces and happy energy (sometimes drugs were involved) to the city. Hopefully this spring the tulips will draw them back in, and bring the city back to being what it always was. A happy place where people eat cheese, drink beer on a terrace and watch the canal life go by while seated in a glass enclosed boat.
Moving forward
I believe all will be much different in the new tourist season ahead. Keukenhof opens soon, Kings Day and its festivities are scheduled, and it’s been officially announced that the Pride parade and the Milkshake Festival are set to go on later in the summer.
What to expect
If you are considering a trip to Amsterdam, then there has never been a better time to visit. If you haven’t been here in awhile, there is a chance that your favorite places are still up and running. There’s even some new places that have popped up including cafes, shops and museums like the StreetArt Museum.
Street Art in Noord
The dutch government has offered business’ assistance these past couple of years, and many found creative ways to keep money flowing in. Most business’ and attractions are open and you will never be more welcome as you are now. Take advantage of the thinner crowds while you can. Don’t know where to stay or what to do? Then start with this magazine published by Iamsterdam. It is a great place to start before planning a trip to Amsterdam.
Streets of Jordaan
Until then, zie jullie allemaal terug dit voorjaars. The quiet canals will be waiting! Check out my instagram for photos of what things are currently looking like in the area. I only post new photos along with stories and reels. Feel free to ping me!
The beginning of the weekly Shabbot in Jerusalem near the gates of the old city is a frantic seen of men, women, all families all rushing towards the center of the walled “Old City”. It’s a holy day and many are dressed for the occasion. The sun is setting so the energy is high. Many are frantically moving through the city to pray.
This worshipper is elegantly dressed. His head is protected by a fox fire hat, or shtreimel, he wears a long double breasted coat, short pants and a pair of long white socks which modestly cover both his legs and ankles. He has face similar to a suburban commuter heading towards Penn Station, but in this case the destination is the Western Wall and it’s very close to prayer time. It’s apparent that he is very experienced at getting around the various obstacles and quickly through the narrow alleyways of the old quarter. He does it without breaking his stride. It’s just another Friday afternoon here in Jerusalem.
Spring really has arrived. The sun is out and the temperatures are all of a sudden above 15C (59F). Time to explore the city and enjoy it all.
The waterfront area on the eastside of Amsterdam Centraal seems like a good place to start. Today it’s about capturing the sunlit blue sky and the puffy clouds. Questions before shooting are: How defined are the shadows and what colors (warm or cool) are visible ? Are the clouds providing a nice filter on the light? Are they creating nice solid beams as they break through? Are they creating a nice background to the area?
The photo below is a morning shot of the NEMO museum in the wharf area east of Amsterdam Centraal. The clouds were lovely that day and the light was eliminating behind the bridge and museum. There was just enough light to show the green siding of the museum and there were strong shadows casting below the arches of the bridge on to the walkway. Had to sit and see what was going on before deciding how and what to shoot. The lighting was nice, so it helps. Post production in LR required a bit of opening up in the shadows, added some contrast , warmed up the temps a bit to get a comfortable light from the sun and a slight vignette helped to add some depth. The sun is a bit blown out, but I like the powerful light. It signifies the passing of winter and the arrival of spring.
Bridge to NEMO – Amsterdam 21-03-2017 Canon 7D, Tamron 10-24mm @11mm,1/200 of a sec. @f/8.0 ISO 100 Post Production with Lightroom
Spring is here, cool winds are turning into warm breezes, and things are changing quickly in the great outdoors. Color is bringing life back into the landscape, days are getting longer, the sun is casting deeper shadows, animals and smiley-faced people are more present and active. Out with the grey and in with the colors of a reawakening world. Time to grab the camera and enjoy.
Sakura in Westerpark – Amsterdam
27-03-2017
1/800 sec @f/8 ISO 100,Canon Macro 60mm Lens, post-production in Lightroom
A bicyclist flies by the front of the equally colorful graffiti mural by an Rotterdam based artist Ox-Alien in the side streets of Jordaan. A moment is recorded and an image is created.
The muddy red clay trails leading into the park are quiet. It looks like the mid-day rain has kept people away. There are only a few obstacles to contend with here in Sigiriya this muddy afternoon. These include the slippery metal stairs, muddy trails and the small pest problem. Snake holes are everywhere, but signs do not warn park visitors about the local venomous cobra population. The hornets are the real issue. Visitors must stay extremely quiet while walking the trails. Loud noises and disruptive visitors, for that matter, agitate hornets.
Farflungistan 
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