April 27, 2017 – Day 90 of 365

What I See —

Today was King’s Day, a public holiday but certainly not a day of rest, in celebration of the king’s birthday. The entire city was bursting with orange as Amsterdammers enjoyed what amounts to the biggest street party of the year. There was an electric atmosphere unlike any other I’ve ever experienced. Everyone – and their pet – was covered head to toe in orange as a show of pride for the Dutch Royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. 

It seems like Amsterdammers love to haggle and bargain. There was a citywide street market that gave residents the chance to sell their second-hand things on the streets and in the parks of Amsterdam. It has to be one of the world’s largest flea markets. And it’s not only second-hand wares that are available – plenty of food stalls had sprung up to provide fuel for the bargain-hunting frenzy! What was really unique was seeing children being able to try their hand at trading on King’s Day, as they negotiated and sold their gently (and sometimes “not so gently”) used toys. It was a swarm of activity everywhere you turned.  The center of Amsterdam was closed to public transit, bicycle, and vehicular traffic. So the streets became one big sidewalk packed with pedestrians perusing the goods for sale that took up every inch of the regular sidewalks. Every neighborhood seemed to have its own stage and sound system with DJ play parties in their public square. And brightly decorated boats filled canals with party goers and more music.

The center of Amsterdam was closed to public transit, bicycle, and vehicular traffic. So the streets became one big sidewalk packed with pedestrians perusing the goods for sale that took up every inch of the regular sidewalks. Every neighborhood seemed to have its own stage and sound system with DJ play parties in public squares. Brightly decorated boats packed the canals with party goers and more music.

All in all, it was an enjoyable sensory-overloading experience.