Koninginnedag 2008 is at an end for us, although the rowdy hordes continue to listen to really bad Dutch music — spot the pleonasm — on the Museumplein.
The rain that was predicted didn’t materialise and the temperature remained cool, which was nice for us, but kept the numbers down. Reports say that half a million people were out and about in Amsterdam today, as opposed to 600,000 last year. The lower numbers meant that we could actually walk fairly normally through the Vondelpark and even push Eloïse’s buggy in front of us.
The Apollolaan, too, seemed quieter than usual. We didn’t buy anything except Belgian waffles and hot-dogs this year, but the waffles were great, so I’m happy with our purchases.
We avoided the centre entirely today. I’ve seen enough Koninginnedagen that I really didn’t feel the need. I was too knackered, anyway, thanks to all of the early mornings being forced upon me. It was nice to just stay local for once and just experience the neighbourhood celebrations, especially the Vondelpark, which is really all about the children.
Eloïse watched a young girl play the accordion and announced that she’d like to learn that instrument later. When we passed a boy playing guitar some minutes later, she said she’d like to learn to do that, too.
It’s amusing to me that Princess Maxima, wife of Prince Willem Alexander, is by far the most popular member of the royal family in this country. How typically Dutch to love the royal who isn’t even Dutch. Wat je van ver haalt is lekker. The royals were up in Friesland today, visiting a couple of small towns there.
It’s also funny to see the children of Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène on TV with their parents. On normal weekdays, we often pass these young children biking up and down our street as we’re walking home with Eloïse from the peuterspeelzaal. The family lives just a few doors down from us.
It’s on days like today, when the neighbourhood is absolutely packed with cars and people from all over, that I’m extra appreciative of being lucky enough to live where I do. I live in a beautiful house in a beautiful neighbourhood and that’s a real privilege. I don’t think there’s a day that goes by that I don’t spend a few moments feeling consciously grateful for what I have, but that sense is heightened on days like today.