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Let me just get to the point...I love Amsterdam. I love the neat, compact, homes. I love that the art and music community has a strong presence here. I love the cobble stone streets and canals. I love the Dutch philosophy of life - live and let live. I could live here, but it's too damn cold most of the year. So with that settled, two months will suffice. We arrived without a hitch being that we were in the Netherlands already, Amsterdam Central Station was only a short train ride away. The apartment we rented was about a mile from the station, on Prinsengracht, and is tucked behind the main house in a former garden shed. After a cold beer from the pub down the street we headed home.

It's great to have our own living space again. We have room enough to cook and have a comfortable lounging area in addition to the loft bedroom. After a good nights sleep, I was ready to explore the neighborhood. I usually spend the morning walking the streets, headphones on, small Fuji X100t in hand. The city is really easy to navigate on foot, and there is excellent public transportation if needed. But nothing beats walking. You do have to watch for the bikes...there is nothing more frightening than a Dutch bike with the right of way. Dutch bikes always have the right of way. 

We caught the first of 4 shows we have scheduled while here. We saw Andrew Bird at the Paradiso Theater, a former church and one hell of a venue. Four stories high, great acoustics and oozing with atmosphere. We timed our arrival pretty well, making our way to front and center stage just as the lights dimmed. Perfect.

May 5th is Liberation Day in the Netherlands and marks the day that German troops surrendered, ending WW2. Amsterdam holds memorial services and parades while others prefer cruise the canals or find a pup or coffee shop. The day was shaping up to be one of those rare events...perfect, clear, and warm on a holiday in a country that isn't known for its abundance of perfect, clear, sunny days. The Dutch love these kinds of days, especially after a cold winter. 

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