A Morning Stroll in Amsterdam

Morning!

Care to join me on a morning stroll?

While in Amsterdam a few weeks ago, Stuart and I set off early one fine morning to enjoy the peace of the city (and so he could take care of some important dog business – you know sniffing around, stick chewing, that kind of thing).

We were staying in the most perfect Airbnb apartment (here), just outside the Jordaan district. The August sky was clear and fresh, the warm sunshine sifting it’s way through the trees. As we strolled, bikers whizzed by on their morning commutes and while party goers staggered home.

Amsterdam, she sure is a beaut. I tend to shy away from the overplayed touristy bits (though the Red Light District is quite the conversation piece) and spend my time ohh-ing and ahh-ing over the win-win architecture-canal combo.

More than anything, I was most struck by the silence of it all. Without the honks and buzz of motorized traffic, the city was incredibly peaceful.

Dan and I dream of living here one day. The days of slowly rolling through DC gridlock (looking at you 66) forever gone, replaced with a life on two wheels. Can you imagine?

There’s no question that morning is my favorite time of the day. The whirl of serenity and anticipation of the day to come is worth rising to witness, even on the groggiest of days. While Dan prefers to roll over, savoring the last of his Z’s, I typically rise around 5:30 for work. On vacation I play a different set of cards but by 8:30 I’m feeling guilty for having missed so much of the day.

What about you – are you an early riser or night owl? What do you want to be?