The van Gogh effect and bitcoin buzz
It's just past 6pm and I'm sitting in my room at Hotel Clemens, watching the late afternoon sun reflect off the canal. The day has been a whirlwind of art, walking, and unexpected discoveries.
After my coffee this morning, I headed to the Van Gogh Museum as planned. I arrived at 9:50 for the 10:00 opening, joining a small queue of early birds. The museum itself was everything I'd hoped for - the progression through Van Gogh's artistic development was thoughtfully curated, and seeing the brushstrokes up close on paintings like "Almond Blossom" and "Sunflowers" was genuinely moving.
What I didn't expect was how much the John Madu collaboration exhibition would affect me. The dialogue between Van Gogh's work and Madu's contemporary Nigerian perspective created this fascinating conversation across time and culture. There was one piece where Madu reimagined Van Gogh's chair with vibrant African textiles that particularly stuck with me. It made me think about how we all interpret the world through our own cultural lens.
After the museum, I wandered through Vondelpark, which was lush and alive with locals enjoying the warm weather. I spent nearly an hour photographing the massive plane trees that line the paths - some must be over a hundred years old, with trunks so wide it would take three people to encircle them. The way the light filtered through the leaves created these perfect dappled patterns on the ground.
I overheard some locals talking about a bitcoin company going public here in Amsterdam. Apparently it's backed by the Winklevoss twins (yes, the Facebook guys) and has raised over €126 million. It's interesting how Amsterdam balances its historical charm with being a modern financial hub. The news reminded me that I should check how my own modest crypto investments are doing - something I haven't thought about since leaving Norway.
The weather has been surprisingly pleasant - 22°C and sunny most of the day, though I can see storm clouds gathering now. The forecast mentioned possible thunderstorms tonight, so I'm glad I got my outdoor exploring done early.
For lunch, I found a small café near the Jordaan district and tried my first authentic Dutch pancake - savory with cheese and bacon. Delicious, but enormous! I could only finish about two-thirds before surrendering.
I've noticed something about myself today. I keep having these dual experiences - living the moment while simultaneously composing how I'll describe it later. It's like I'm both the traveler and the observer. Is this what happens when you document a journey? I wonder if I'll eventually just be present without the narrative voice in my head.
Tomorrow I'm planning to take a canal cruise in the morning and visit the NEMO Science Museum in the afternoon. I've heard they have some fascinating interactive exhibits on technology and innovation. With only two more full days in Amsterdam before I leave on Saturday, I'm trying to balance seeing the "must-see" attractions with simply wandering and absorbing the city's atmosphere.
Right now though, I think I'll head out to find dinner before the rain starts. There's a place nearby that supposedly serves traditional Dutch stamppot that I want to try. Eight days into this 500-day journey, and I'm already feeling like time is simultaneously crawling and flying by. 492 days still sounds like forever, but I know it will vanish before I realize it.