May 28, 2012
-
(written on 10 February 2013)
Tweede Pinksterdag, or Second Pentecost Day, is the Monday after Pentecost and it's a public holiday in the Netherlands, probably best known not for religious reasons (not many people seem to know anymore what Pentecost is about or why it should be credited with a public holiday) but because this is the last public holiday of the year in this country before Christmas. And if we're unlucky and Christmas Day is on a Saturday, then it's even the last public holiday in this country before Good Friday the following year. We're not very generous with these things in this corner of the planet. But I digress...
When I was younger, not only were all shops closed on all Sundays, but they were most definitely shut during the religious public holidays. That's no longer the case. Amsterdam's shops are now open for almost 365 day per year (with only Christmas Day and New Year's Day interrupting that 'cycle') and today was no exception. And shopping I did! More bits and pieces needed for the house and also groceries of course. The one thing I bought today that I am most happy with is seen in the picture above; a little bench that I can put in front of the windows and that is strong enough to support me (it actually was sold as a coffee table) so that I can sit in front of the open windows and just stare out... to the endless stream of people shuffling through my street. At the time that this picture was taken, at the end of the afternoon, I had done everything that I could have done in preparation of Andy and Colin's visit. I was happy with how the place looked, with new cupboards, curtains, assorted items and fresh groceries - and I was looking forward very, very much to welcoming them to Amsterdam and to my apartment. Just a two day work week to go...
Recent Comments