Penelope's Amsterdam

What a coincidence, I and Ian Mc Ewan were at the same place, month and weather. On a chilly February McEwan set up the plot of his novel ‘Amsterdam’. I, I was gliding through the narrow streets along the canals with my 4x4 bicycle. The bravery of doing this was probably flowing from my Greek genes(absence of self-consciousness). Amsterdam is a friendly, relaxed, cosy and at the same time cosmopolitan city with underneath seething problems created by the second generation immigrants mainly Moroccans and Turks. In Amsterdam, there is a relaxed approach about everything, somebody doesn’t need to be pop star to get easily drugs and sex, despite this, the latter trade is shrinking. One part of Red Light District is converted to shops; probably the shopping is getting more hedonistic and profitable in the 21st century!

There is a controversial issue as well, they seems to care about saving the Earth by using bicycles everywhere, but on the other hand, the lights in their houses are permanently on. The apartments are like theatrical scenes lightened without curtains. They like to see and to be seen, it has to do probably with the Calvinism, no sin to hide, or no curtains to buy!

Plenty activities for the children, the best science museum (Nemo) I have ever seen. The building was like a boat and inside a lot of fun. Learn about science by doing. The new National Library is an exquisite library model to see and the traditional Museum of Van Gough and Rebrandt... for some more culture.

It was a nice break in this relaxed humane environment after the formal structured society in England.Whatever concerns Athens is very exotic to be compared with! But we have put our stamps everywhere, in the window of a central bookshop the Grave's book about Greek myths. Click a snap of it and Johnny will be the happiest man ! And .... Greeks everywhere..we are starting to be travellers!