When I first thought about this crazy idea, I was convinced that there were 90% chances for it not to materialize. But it did! I flew to Amsterdam on a late autumn afternoon, spent the night and then came back home the following day (actually, straight to the office, because it was a working day). It had already been more than 10 years since I had last visited this Northern jewel, so it was about time I would come back to it. I did the visiting part back then, museums, gardens, the Red-Light District, so now I simply enjoyed this city’s vivid paths. Walking around was quite a challenge since the wind was too eager to blow and too stubborn to keep only one direction. From the hotel in the Old Town, I took a short walk to the Dam. Everything was already prepared for Christmas holidays, shining bright into the sudden night. I let myself glide along the narrow streets, blending into Amsterdam’s nightlife. I noticed the general uproar surrounding me, but somehow, I was still very quiet. Some streets were packed with people, and some were completely empty. And the same routine went for coffee shops and restaurants as well. I went in a bar, found a small table close to the window and simply stared. I stared long and good, observing everything around: the bicycles waiting for their owners, the passers-by, the restaurant facing this bar, the lights inside of it, everything. While I was serving a cup of mulled wine to warm up from the inside, I realized how good this feels – paying attention to people and things surrounding you – and, how many different scenarios can be created by the majestic human mind in a matter of seconds. I believe our steps are guided by the Divine, which furthermore inspire our instincts to manifest and inspire us. So instinctively, I followed even more paved narrow alleyways and reached a super cosy restaurant (Lotti). The food was incredible, and the setting made you feel part of this city, I dined like a local together with the locals. Even though from the outside, when looking at the buildings in Amsterdam, you feel that there is not that much space inside, this restaurant was very big; what I found interesting regarding it: it has a beautiful library above the ground floor! After dinner, I recommend a short visit to the not-so-far Boerejongens shop, for all those who enjoy dreaming beautiful, mystical, mysterious, trippy dreams. I wandered for a longer while, discovering graffiti corners, inhaling the flavours which laid siege on the entire city, listening to Amstel’s nocturnal movements, searching for my everlasting companion on the sky, the wild Moon. One thing which I enjoyed with great enthusiasm: throughout the entire night, my sleep was accompanied by incredibly good tunes of progressive house, and deep house music, since the hotel room had a music player installed and really good audio speakers.
My short stay in Amsterdam was a total blast! Not even 24 hours of intense emotions, power walking, gathering of experiences, creation of memories. This trip falls into the “spontaneous and intense” category. I have said it before and will say it again now: it is very important for us to live in the now. It creates balance for us to stop thinking about what we did in the past, and to stop worrying about what will we do in the future. The present is all we have as a certainty. Take every chance, dear Moon children, to live your life, with good and bad, ups and downs; the gift of life is truly enjoyed, and not wasted, when you live each day with enthusiasm, joy, and passion. Dare to dream!
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