April 19, 2012

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands

    DSCN6094e

    The picture was taken in the morning, after my morning swim. The new daily rhythm is remarkably pleasant, and even though I never used to swim on Thursdays, I love these early morning swims so much that I even went today. Typically I get up at 6:20 (still without setting an alarm - I've not set any alarms since 1996) and after shower and breakfast at home I get on my bike at 7:25. The bike ride to the pool takes exactly two songs of the Confessions Live album by Madonna and after changing into my swim gear I enter the pool at 7:40. I swim 60 normal laps (always breaststroke) plus some additional laps with arms-only or legs-only, as well as two underwater laps. I get out of the water again at 8:30, shower and get dressed and I leave the building at 8:45 to get on my bike to work, where I will arrive at 9. It's the same rhythm practically every day - and I love it. Today's swim was once more very enjoyable and I'm sure I'll be back tomorrow morning.

    In the evening I met up with Sean and we went for a meal in the Lion Noir restaurant on the street with the most confusing name for foreigners, Reguliersdwarsstraat. It's a street with a large number of gay bars and an even bigger reputation, but to be honest I never really liked it. I can't remember when was the last time that I went to a gay bar in this street. I have my own hangout (Spijker) although I've only been there once so far this year, and don't bother about the bars in this street. There are some good quality restaurants here as well though, and Lion Noir was definitely one of them. Nice and spacious, stylish, friendly service, and what's most important, excellent food (I had white asparagus, which I still consider to be God's gift to mankind) but of course also a bill to match that... it was 75 euros per person that we had to pay, probably one of the most expensive restaurant bills I ever paid for myself. It was worth it though - it was a great evening and indeed we did end up in a gay bar in this street as well for some more drinks. Not that I will be returning to that bar, Tabu, any time soon though.

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