Markets

We took the weekend off for the first time in what feels like months (and between packing and moving, probably has been) in order to head on up to the local market and check it out.

Locally we have both a farmers market full of fresh produce and an “antiques” market. Though I think they term antiques more liberally than I do …

Flowers are prevalent all over Amsterdam.

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They are also inexpensive and vibrant!

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More evidence of bicycles everywhere, and evidence of the customisation! I can’t wait to have my own bike and drape it in flowers and astro turf in the basket! (it’s looks better than it sounds. If you’re into that kind of thing of course)

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Being me, I found the yarn. Damn it was hard to walk away from alpaca at that price. But I have about a kilometre to go on the Evenstar Shawl. I must remain focused! Then the nice man told be he had a bricks and mortar store during the week! All was not lost!

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All this goes on in the shadow of the local castle. (No it’s not a castle, but just look at it!!!)

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I really wished I’d asked for the price of this set. Then I might not be pining over this photo. *pulls a sad face*

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Something that sets markets here apart from those in Australia is weapons on sale. Not only did we see these swords, but there were sai, and a slingshot!

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I loved these strap on ice skates! Made me wonder if they were still useable, or a big seller a few months ago when the big freeze was on and everyone was on the canals!

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There was a large hippie contingent of clothing stalls at which you could buy anything you’d find at Tree of Life or the Glebe Markets. Not inspiring to me, but handy to know.

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But there was so much stuff to fossick through! And it was a very enjoyable time just wandering and exploring.

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I also found a Baedeker! If it hadn’t been in French I would have bought it …

Shopping

I have been checking out some of the local shops, as I am want to do, and discovering that I could spend an awful lot of money here, and need a residence ten times what we’re looking at living in!

We shall begin with de negen straatjes, the nine little streets. These are located on the West side of the Dam. And check it out!

One for Nita.

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One for Naomi.

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One for the fun.

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And one for me!

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Then, just as you find ducklings in the canal and think it can’t get any better …

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you see that the canal is full of floating Nemos!

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Damn I love this city!

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I may have to go back and buy this little girl. She looks so lonely!

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5 Mei – Liberation Day

As Himself and I wandered into our new favourite café,

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we were informed that today is a Red Letter Day in the Dutch calendar. Liberation Day. Something to celebrate!

Some singers began what was obviously a traditional tune, and I have never so much wanted to instantly know the language as I did then. I hope to have it figured out in time for next year!

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On the advice of our charming waitress we headed into the Dam where the Royal family had been just yesterday paying their respects, and presiding over the 2 minutes silence at 8pm for Rememberance of the Dead. But today there was bands and music and celebration!

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This is the Palace. Now that the Fair Rides have gone I could finally get a better shot of it! I love the gilded horns of the unicorns.

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At the other end of Dam Square is the National Monument.

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Flowers at the base,

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and the Royal Tribute.

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As much as I’ll probably always hold ANZAC Day dear (I’ve known too many fighters not to), there is something very different about being able to celebrate no longer being an occupied territory.

Happy Koninginnedag!!!

I know it was a few days ago now, but I thought I’d share a little local colour with you! And that colour, was Orange.

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On Queen’s Day every year, everyone gets their orange on and hits the streets to celebrate Queen Beatrix’s Birthday. Though Queen Beatrix was born on 31 January, the holiday is observed on 30 April as it was the birthday of her mother and predecessor, Juliana. (Follow the link above for more information)

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We stayed to the Centrum given where we began from and the fact that not only were we on foot, but the entirety of the public transport system was not operational owing to the sheer magnitude of people that converge on the city centre.

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I actually wish we’d been closer to Vondel Park and the activities there, or that crossing Amsterdam on foot to get there wasn’t such an epic journey through the crowds.

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But we had a LOT of fun watching the party boats on the canals!

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I’d love to be on a boat next year! Just ambling our way around waving at everyone. Or dancing our way around the canals.

It was all so loud, and the City such a mess (I have to get used to outdoor urinals I guess) that it was kind of a relief to get home.

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You might want to turn the volume down on your speakers before pressing play on the video!

But still, I can say that we have partied our first Queens Day! Happy Koninginnedag everyone!!!

As an interesting side fact, there were 100,000 LESS people in Amsterdam for Queen’s Day than there were last year!

Wild Ramblings

Oh Wow! So much has happened! In no particular order …

Café cats

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Orange Tulips

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Canal Tours

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Concept Store Gardens

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More canals

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More wonky houses in canals

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Some local flavours

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But best of all, we now have residents visas, bank accounts, and a temporary place to lay our heads. All this combined means that we now have our kittuns back with us!

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They have lots of exploring to do too!