Amsterdam, Vincent, Abraham and Boxmeer

This will be a long one, so I am posting a day earlier, to reduce it a little.

After an amazing Saturday night out, and walking back to the station at 6am, I thought it was beautiful and worth coming back to Amsterdam to take some photos. Monday morning I was there at 8am for the wonders that Amsterdam could provide me. I was wrong. Maybe I was just in a bad mood, but I actually hated being there in the morning. Suddenly I saw the garbage, the industry and the massive focus on getting the tourist dollars. I went home pretty quickly.

After, I kind of regretted it. Amsterdam has always been a drawcard for tourists. For centuries, foreign coins have fed the city. So on reflection, and on an impulse, I booked myself a hotel and went there, again, for two nights, knowing what I was getting into.

Thinking “near the central station is good” I booked a hotel right in the heart of the Red Light District (which is about 2kms from anything and any place I wanted to actually be). I got a cultural experience, alright. Not that I am naive. It is just watching so many tourists behave as they did. So many drug dealers, prostitutes and so many cannabis related stores. By the time I walked through there, I stunk of pot and was approached by so many people. The bit I found fascinating is the number of Australian, New Zealand and American accents I heard.

My hotel was exactly what you would expect from a cheap, last minute booking. It was ancient, creaking floors, loud and stank of a mix of things they tried to cover with chemicals, but… at a guess… stale pot and human smells (the bad ones).

I did go with a plan, though. I went morning walking taking photos. Then I went to the Vincent Van Gogh Museum. While I liked the museum, most of it was information I knew, and copies of paintings I didn’t care about. However… on the ground level were several ORIGINAL self-portraits. One of which was one of my favourite Van Gogh paintings. I never was really into art, and I never really understood how people stand and stare at a painting until I was in front of that one. Encased in glass and with security everywhere, I actually lost myself. One of the best moments of this trip. I still get chills. Worth it… even just to see the few originals.

The rest of my trip was pretty unremarkable. Except for meeting one interest person, briefly. I decided, once again to try and find a drag show. For an international city, the gay scene (and the streets everywhere) were dead, even for a Tuesday night. I went to a bar and met a bar tender. We talked for about an hour. He is an aspiring actor. But more-so, he is destined to be the winner of Ru Pauls Drag race “Netherlands”, if it ever happens. If you have Instagram… follow him; @the.kameleon. My goal is still to see a drag show here. Perhaps I will go Sunday. Public transport is expensive here, but easy to use.

I had a great “farewell meal” with Mirjam, Wynanand, Sanne, Woulter and Kwabene. It is hard to describe, but, while Mirjam worked A LOT, and I did my own thing A LOT, we connected really well. Mijam and my mum are very similar.

On the drive to Boxmeer we stopped to see my grandfather’s grave. It was in a Jewish cemetery. We had to book to ensure we were there when a caretaker was there. I thought this was a little strange, until I arrived. I arrived near sunset, on a cloudy day, so the high brick walls surrounding the cemetery were much more ominous than they might have been on a bright day. The graveyard is very protected. Once there, we entered such a well maintained property. There may have been only about 100 graves in the enclosure, each in good condition. Mirjam and I both placed a stone on our grandfathers grave. It was a surreal experience.

I arrived in Boxmeer – a lovely small town (of 11 000 people). Traditionally rural, I look forward to experiencing it more. I met with my Uncle (Piet), Aunt (Ria) and Cousin (Andrea) from my father’s side. I had not seen them in 27 years. Speaking with them, for two hours, was great. I had an opportunity to not only catch up, learn about family history, but it gave me an opportunity to remember and connect to the things that make me a van Boven. A great experience.

Today, we are having a get together with many more from the van Boven side. Should be interesting. More to come....

Walked 99kms so far... and still this afternoon, and one big day to go for the week.

Cheers,

JC