Saturday, 9th October 2010. Technically, it wasn’t the last day of summer but it sure felt like it. The sun shone brightly and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. At 24 degrees Celsius, it was perfect t-shirt weather… if it weren’t for the reddish-orangy leaves in the trees, you wouldn’t have guessed that it was the second week of October! People were out for a stroll, or in their boats, on their bikes or rollerblades or sitting at a terrace with a cold beer. Basking in the sun’s glorious rays, Amsterdam looked absolutely stunning!
A friend of mine decided to celebrate her birthday with a picnic in Amsterdam’s famous Vondel Park. Armed with our birthday gifts, sushi and prosecco, we parked ourselves on a grassy spot at the edge of a pond. We talked, laughed and simply enjoyed the gorgeous weather. Everyone looked so happy: couples curled up in each others’ arms, friends having a good laugh together, parents playing football with their kids, the odd tourist smoking a joint – there were smiles all around!
A group of friends even brought a couch with them! They sat there, huddled together on their worn-out PVC couch, and watched the world go by. There was plenty to see: the shortest skirts, the tightest t-shirts, chiseled physiques, the latest designer shades; from sexy to scruffy; fresh-faced babies in their strollers to elderly folk with their strollers… everyone was out for a saunter to enjoy perhaps the last warm day of the year.
There were happy faces everywhere I turned. People flirted with one another with a fleeting look or a smile. The pheromones swirling around in the air were almost tangible!
“Live every day like it’s your last”
Someone brought a ghetto-blaster on a wheel-barrow and started belting out dance tracks from the eighties and nineties. People got up and started dancing. “Come on… join us! It’s FREE!”, one of them yelled. Many people stopped to watch, clapped their hands and swayed to the music.
oh vondelpark!!! I LOVE IT. Great place for a bbq, birthday party, a simple picnic or maybe just a walk around taking pictures. OMG I Love amsterdam!. i love the whole country. It’s Just Wonderful.
Well, it is November and this is my last day in Amsterdam for a while. I do not feel like leaving. Its like Wonderland, isn’t it? My visa expires though. It has been a glorious 3 months.
Seems like it was a lovely day!
What a lovely day! I miss summer already.
Thanks so much! Can’t wait to visit and I totally would’ve danced if I had been there!
Thanks Julia! It really was a lovely day and you were in superb form! Really happy I got to share your birthday with you.
Hugs,
Keith
Hi Keith,
Though it was not the last day it really was one of the best days of my life!
Amsterdam was once again the magic centre of the world. Your presence was a part of it
Thanks!
Julia
Hi Kat,
I only know the Amsterdam Marathon but that’s this weekend.
Cheers,
Keith
Hi there!
This is somewhat unrelated, but could I trouble you with helping me find a site that lusts local running races? We’re coming to Amsterdam in November and would love to find a road race to run in. I’m having a tough time finding a web site that adresses that topic.
Thank you kindly,
Kat
Man, you have me really missing Holland right now. I lived in Utrecht in 2005 (met the husband there), and we had the most glorious Indian summer. Coats weren’t really needed up until November, and prior to my move so many people told me how cold Holland was! Hardly!
That sounds like a great day. Nothing like a sunny and warm day to put everyone in a great mood. Words to live by, live every day like it is your last. We only have this moment right here and now. I love a picnic, what a wonderful way to spend a birthday..
Thanks Juno and Isa for your comments! A very special hug goes to Isa for delivering this blog’s 4,000th comment!
Keith xxx
Love this post, Keith! We had gorgeous weather here too, and yes, I had to pinch myself it was already October. Glad you and everyone else in Amsterdam enjoyed such a perfect day.
Hahaha! Yup, that couch was WICKED!
Oh love the couch!!
Wicked!