Canal views

Summertime goes fast and living away from your Home Country makes it sometimes more difficult to notice the different periods of time. If I would be in Finland now, we would be already celebrating the midsummer party somewhere in the countryside, probably by the lake at someone's Summer Cottage. Now we don't have any big plans, but for me the boat trip by the Canals of Amsterdam this week was like a little Holiday! A spontaneous invite from our friends to join them and enjoy the perfect weather with the water element and the City views. This was quite a big,old rescue boat, where three families could easily sit and walk without any problem when the boat was moving. The children in Holland have to do their swimming Diplomas and only the smallest ones without this certificate had their Safety Vests on. The perspective from the boat is amazingly beautiful, you see all the houses in a different light and there is a feeling of space around you. No cyclists and no busy streets with tourists, just sight seeing boats every now and then. The boat traffic would be totally different during the big Festivals and Parades when the Canals are filled with boats, music and party people. We instead had a nice, peaceful trip - Oh,I would like to do this more often!

One of the many highlights of our evening was to park the boat and get some Ice Cream for everyone! "Heel lekker", as the Dutch people say "Very Tasty".

Westerkerk, Prinsengracht(West Church)

At the Sloterkade, in the South part of the City,you can often see some big and long transporting boats. It is a bit scary feeling in a narrow canal to pass these Monsters.

By boat you are going under many Bridges and some of them are low. You have to be careful not to hit your head when standing. 

Many boats have the Amsterdam Flag set in the back of the boat when cruising around the water routes. The three crosses in the middle of the Flag are Saint Andrew Crosses. Some people say the three saltires represent the three dangers of the ancient Amsterdam: Fire, Floods and the Black Death. But this theory has no historical basis. The more official accepted meaning for the crosses, represented by Queen Wilhelmina in 1947 is: Compassion, Resolution and Heroism. 

The flag of Amsterdam. 

Have a good weekend and thank you for reading!!

Black ink - reflections on the water

If the trees could write, what would be the story? 

I was walking by the water and went to the edge of the canal. I saw something that reminded me of ink, like a leakage of black fluid or something oily on the surface of the water. This reflection came from the leafless, curvy trees beside the canal. This spot is normally so covered with green bushes and trees, that I would maybe leave this place alone in the summertime. Now it is easy to reach some normally hidden corners of the park and get a new perspective, more open and dramatic. This view was so strong & still, but the movement of the water created the illusion of an extra dimension. It almost looked like a gate to another reality...like a poem, painting or a story made by the trees. 

I really like the patterns of these pictures. These would look good also printed on a fabric. The Nature can always surprise and give some ideas and thoughts that you would not get otherwise. We should let the nature give the influence and the healthy effect on our lives. And on the other side: we have to take care of the Nature.

Maybe and hopefully the papers and agreements made in the Paris conference on climate change 2015 are going to lead some worldwide results as soon as possible. Also the individual level is important: our own micro environment including the people around us. What kind of effect or attitude we have. Is there hope and some positive energy to keep on going and really change something to reach the goal and stop the climate change. 

A new houseboat transported at Sloterkade.

After my walk I saw this new home transported by the Sloterkade. I saw steps going under the water level inside the house. Sleeping under the waterline maybe and enjoying the reflections next day from your living room window. Just to show you one way of living in a city. I don't know if I would like it as a permanent home. The water is unfortunately not very clean in the canals.

Lisää kuvateksti

To lighten the day, a picture with the power of growth and some visual vitamin for the mind!!

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!