Originally Posted by vivaldirules
I spent a couple of late afternoons last week having beer sitting at a sidewalk pub in Amsterdam away from the tourists. The lovely interactive chaos of humanity as people walked or cycled by was mesmerizing. All were almost palpably happy in striking contrast to the typical angry rush of Americans. Each was alive. Friends meeting friends. Strangers engaging strangers. The numerous cycle collisions barely avoided at the intersection. The lady riding by with here eyes keenly on the horizon as her four dogs played in the low wooden basket in front. The retiree in his brown suit coat and thin but neat pants and socks headed maybe for the market. It helped the atmosphere for me some that I had little idea what they were saying (my Dutch is not quite as good as my French). I sat for hours doing nothing but soaking it all in. Humanity can be a great place to visit and Amsterdam is a perfect place to experience it. In some respects, this place is like that, too. The sparks of life are too good to pass up. Thank you, PH, ZP, and Marc.
|