Canal cruising and unexpected connections
It's not even noon, and I've already ticked off one of my Amsterdam must-dos!
I woke up at 6:30 this morning, feeling energized despite yesterday's full day of museum visits. The hotel breakfast starts at 7:30, and I was, predictably, the first one there. The woman setting up the breakfast spread smiled when I appeared. "You're an early riser," she said. I just nodded and smiled back, enjoying the quiet dining room before the other guests arrived.
After breakfast, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful morning weather. The forecast mentioned clouds later, so I headed straight to the canal boat dock for a morning cruise. I arrived at 9:20 for the 9:30 departure, and spent those minutes watching the boat staff prepare for the day.
The canal cruise was absolutely worth it. Our guide, Marieke, provided fascinating insights about Amsterdam's history and architecture. Did you know that many of the narrow canal houses lean forward intentionally? It's not just settling or structural issues – they were designed that way to make it easier to hoist furniture and goods to the upper floors without banging into the façade. The hooks at the top of many buildings are still there, though rarely used now.
The boat had these large glass windows that offered perfect views of the passing scenery. We glided under dozens of bridges, some so low I instinctively ducked my head despite being safely inside the boat. The morning light reflecting off the water created these beautiful patterns on the underside of the bridges.
I struck up a conversation with a couple from Toronto sitting next to me. They're on a two-week Europe trip, hitting Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague. When they asked about my journey and I mentioned my 500-day plan, their eyes widened. "Five HUNDRED days? Not fifty?" the woman (Sarah) asked. It's funny seeing people's reactions when I share the full scope of this trip.
What made the conversation particularly interesting was that Sarah works in healthcare IT. We ended up chatting about electronic health record systems and the challenges of implementing them across different departments. Before I knew it, I was explaining how we tackled similar issues at my hospital, comparing different approaches to data security. It felt strange but also comforting to connect with my pre-travel life for a moment.
After the cruise, I wandered through the Jordaan neighborhood, which is exactly as charming as everyone says. Narrow streets, small shops, and a distinctly local feel compared to the more touristy areas. I found a tiny café and had a coffee while watching people pass by. The Amsterdam Fashion Week is wrapping up today, and I could spot some very stylishly dressed people who I assume were connected to the event.
I'm now sitting by a small canal, watching boats drift by and planning the rest of my day. The Amsterdam Fringe Festival starts today, and I'm considering checking out one of the performances this evening. It seems like a good way to experience something beyond the typical tourist activities.
It's strange to think I'll be leaving in just two days. Amsterdam has been the perfect first stop – familiar enough to ease into travel mode, but different enough to feel like a proper adventure has begun. I still have the NEMO Science Museum on my list for this afternoon, and I want to properly explore Vondelpark tomorrow.
This morning's boat tour has left me feeling reflective about journeys – both along the canals and through life. These waterways have been here for centuries, seeing countless travelers come and go. Now they're carrying me too, just one more person passing through, looking for whatever it is I'm searching for in these 500 days.
491 days to go.