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!
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
Old ships rest on the bottom of what was once the harbor in Moynaq, Karakalpakstan. The Aral Sea has retreated hundreds of kilometers to the north leaving a vast seabed exposed to the blazing sun in its wake. When will humanity learn the consequences of its actions?
The 19th century Kalta Minor minaret stands magnificently in the afternoon sunlight. Its architect, having completed only 26 meters of the structure, fled after fearing that he was going to be put to death by the Khan. As good excuse as any I suppose for leaving something so beautiful incomplete.
Konye-Urgench (“Old Urgench”), once one of the greatest cities on the Silk Road, was the architectural inspiration for much of the region until it was finally laid waste by Timur in the fourteenth century. The hypnotically elaborate facades of this style exude a deep perception of geometry, proportion, and color that is utterly captivating. Perhaps the desert night sky brought about this imagination?
Farflungistan 
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