A LONG WALK

I spent the beautiful day today at two different Flea Markets. One, along one of the canals, was focused mostly on food and flowers, with a bunch of antiques and used books mixed in for good measure. Produce, Breads and Baked Goods, mostly. The other, along another canal, focused mostly on used clothing and
old records. I like to eat, but given the choice, I prefer sifting though clothes and records over sampling seven/ grain/stone/ground/sunflower/seeded brood
(that's "bread" in Flemish...and delicious!)

I found a nice black and white wool "star hat" that I bought for five euros. After an entire afternoon of Flea Market hopping. I slipped into the Rembrandt Corner Cafe' and had a cappaccino,
followed by a mocha latte.
I sat by the window looking out on the canal and
jotted some stuff down in my journal and made a few scribblings with colored pencils.Then I headed back
to the apartment where I showered and shaved and readied myself to head into Dam Square for dinner. From the tram I spotted an Indian restaurant. The
place was packed and I took the crowd to be a good sign. So, I headed in and had a delicious dinner of samosas and curried potatoes. I then walked down to Central Station and bought my train ticket to Berlin.
I depart Amsterdam on Tuesday morning ;-(
but wanted to buy my ticket in advance, and at night,
to avoid the lines.

Last night I took a long, beautiful walk all along the canals. I avoided the center of town, and wandered through quiet sections of the city where there was barely a soul around, except for a bicycle whizzing by every once in a while. Peaceful; with the windows of row houses lit-up and every so often catching a
glimpse of someone stirring inside. Houseboats on
the canals, dark, except for the occasional flicker of light from a t.v. screen coming through. I walked and walked and walked, and if I felt TOO lost, I would find someone and ask to be pointed in the "right direction." I kept reflecting on how Grateful I am to be having the opportunity of being here. No words, really. But, a deep feeling of Gratitude. Grateful. Grateful. Grateful. Grateful.
my love, and my thoughts,
jo.