Green grass everywhere!

There are so many hidden places and corners at the Park in the Summer time. The grass is so high at some spots that you only can follow the walking paths, because the green jungle has been spreading all over. It is also the high season for all sort of bugs, including the Tick. I would not maybe sit on these benches in the picture below, the surrounding grass looks like a Tick Paradise. I actually love all sorts of green plants and especially the spiky grass with strong graphic lines and the sharp compositions that these plants seem to be naturally arranged. It symbolises to me the vitality of the Nature and the huge, fast power of growth.

I had two nice walks this weekend with my daughter. This was one of the rare weekends this summer without the rain or cool weather. The evening walk was interesting. In a good Weather all sorts of groups are gathering at the park and you see happy looking people grilling, listening to music, playing outdoor games and enjoying the open or hidden spaces at the park. One bigger group even had their own DJ.

I don't go often for walks later in the evenings. The normal evening routines with the Children are taking so much time and then it is already too late and almost a sleeping time. But I think I should go more often for a walk in the evening. It just gives a peaceful feeling and the fresh air (as fresh as it can be in the City)just clears the mind and the Nature with all its colors gives more space for positive thinking and for the open mind. And with that sort of balanced peace...it is easy to go to sleep.

Nice picnic: Someone was painting, there was a small band playing..like a hippie meeting and looked like a lots of fun!

On Sunday morning we went to Vondelpark first for a Coffee and then watched a little bit the the Half Marathon at the park. There was the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam last week. We go often for a coffee in "Vondeltuin", which is a nice outdoor Cafe just in the opposite end of the Vondelpark if you walk or cycle through the park from the Centre. There is a playground and a big, high slide where the kids love to climb. In the Summer they also organise "a silent Disco" for a few times. Everyone is wearing earphones and dancing! The people living in the neighbouring houses can sleep in peace and it must be fun to look at the people dancing like this. I would really like to go there once this summer:-).

       

Vondelpark

Inspired from the weekend, I went for a jog and I am ready for this new week! It was good to be outdoors first thing in the morning. So my "feel good recipe" is having some fresh air in the evening and in the morning and I guess every time when it is possible!

The memories from the Summer time are a collection of small moments that matter to you and give a smile on your face. It doesn't have to be something big and spectacular, the best things are connected to the small flashes of feeling, noticing the moment and being present to yourself and the people around you. And the Nature is full of wonders to see if you stop and have a closer look!

Green protection

I had many walks in the parks during the last few days and found some calmness, protection and energy from the trees and the new growth of flowers and other living things. I have something I have to process in my mind at the moment and walking outside gives always some new directions to my thoughts. I found it at the moment very inspiring to see the landscape and the small, natural details in the grass level and up in the trees. I will introduce here the collection of these moments and some of them I found like paintings. Maybe the lack of my technical concentration sometimes produces something more poetic than if I would try too hard to be a good cameraman :-). We start with the green and end this meeting with some picture poetry.

Rembrandtpark

Vondelpark

Camera paintings

Wishing you a lovely week!

A poetic jog in Vondelpark

I did not sleep well last night, but felt fit enough to go for a jog in Vondelpark. I think the body is sending messages when you really need to do some work out. I just got ready right after waking up, brought the kids to school with my sporty outfit and had a great round at the park. I never regret going jogging! That is why I always go if I feel I should. 

I ran about 7 kilometres and found a very good rhythm of my own. Some jogs are better, like you had chosen the right moment to go and  you find it easy to breathe and the legs are working like a machine. I find it easier to jog alone. I don't want to talk or even listen to music. I want to empty my head of any disturbing thoughts. I just want to let go and let my head fly above the clouds and move my body. After jogging I feel so balanced, like the connection to every muscle of my body from head to feet are reloaded.

I did first the physical work and after a run I made an extra round by walking. I wanted to have a better look around in the park. Just to stop whenever I wanted to make a stronger memory from this morning. This was a good recipe after a restless night.

I found it very poetic this morning in Vondelpark. I just had my phone with me to take photos, but I captured these moments as well as I could. The reflections by the water were like paintings. The sky was blue and there was enough of sun, which made all the shadows and colours stronger. After getting rid of the physical stress by running, my mind was clearer and I was focused to see the details around me.

Doing sport can help to see the bigger picture and then you are not just stuck to the circles of your daily thoughts. New ideas and taking actions need sometimes some fire, a kick to go further. For me the best mental boost often is doing some sport. A healthy mind in a healthy body is the ultimate goal.

Even I if I don't need company when I'm jogging, I really don't like to be totally alone at the park. It's motivating to see other people doing their own rounds with their own phase. There are also groups doing sport outside or people with personal trainer doing exercise. Every person has their own motivation to move or be fit, but whatever the motivation is, you will always get more than you think. Just keeping the amount of sport reasonable and listening your own needs.

Living in Amsterdam is full of funky contrasts. After my nature part, coming out from the gate of the park, I faced the urban and sometimes ugly reality. But there is lot of beauty behind the rough looking facade. I have the feeling that everything is changing all the time and I am part of it. Like a living painting, reflecting and  shining differently in every day.

A morning walk

 

The weather is good in Amsterdam after all rain from last weeks. This morning I wanted to go for a long walk and get inspired by the nature in the city. Every time I leave all stony streets behind me and enter any park or green area, I'm forgetting any trouble and my senses get sharper to notice small things around me. The whole world opens up and I can feel the calming effect. I need my green portion every day. I am lucky to live in Amsterdam, cause there is many nature spots to explore. For me the most beautiful moment for a walk is in the morning. Don't get me wrong: I am not planning to move to countryside. I like also the dynamic of a bigger city, but I want to  have my own peaceful moment every now and then. That moment can be in the corner of the busy cafe in midtown or just a walk under the big old trees and the sun, like today. 

This look so peaceful...but actually there is always many people cycling, jogging, walking with their dogs or drinking coffee. Today I wanted to ignore the fact that I am not alone in Vondelpark. I will show some action some other time. Autumn-time is anyway different: no more grilling and big picnics on the grass fields. The  park seems to be recovering from the busy season. Some burned marks I found any way like this next tree...

On my way back I was walking beside the canal and saw a big boat passing. The most great element of Amsterdam is the the water. You could say I need something blue too. I love to watch the boats. That was the thing I really missed living in South Germany before. Now I am happy to see water everywhere and be able to go to beach in 30 minutes.

The walk is good to end to this picture of open bridge. This was my first documented walk and I am going to continue writing and taking photos. This will be fun!