Symphonies, sand and sun
Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think. Robert Henri
Last Wednesday (May 7) us scruffy IES kids got all dolled up and took a trip to the symphony. We went to a lovely Indonesian restaurant where I had a lovely dinner with Drew (penn state kid) and Troy (narwal kid) and others of course, but with how the seating turned out … anyway. After dinner we made the small trek over to the concert house.
OH! Side note, earlier in the day I met Sarah and Christy at Greenwoods for some tea outside by the canal … it was gorgeous and hot, but I love that café, so cute and the owners are adorable!
Anyway, the Concertgebouw (spelling might be off, I’m just too lazy to look it up ;p) was beautiful inside, not decadent in decorations, but pretty nonetheless. The seats filled pretty quickly and then the symphony filtered in. We listened to good music for the next two plus hours and it was an enjoyable experience. It was a bit dainty for me, I like a little umph behind my music, but it was fun to watch the conductors, and then a pianist came on for one of the sets and she was magnificently talented. The first song after the intermission was my favorite because it had a beautiful little bit of melancholy in it, which made it more compelling to listen to.
I’m glad I went, it was a (not to be repetitive in adjective choice but … ) lovely evening. It was fun to get dressed up, and I finally used my heels that I brought (and biked in them too!!)
Compared to other cultural events, with this actual concert, I see myself liking theater better (though I have a broader range of experience with that, obviously) and opera less (an equal selection, as I’ve only been once, and don’t plan on going again – opera is HORRIBLE!! Just btw)
The rest of the week passed uneventfully. I took a walk with Sarah one evening and we sat on the docks by the Nemo and talked about how scary the idea of space is. Went bike riding to the beach multiple times, and even remembered to take my camera once.
I’ve really started to like biking out of the city (it’s so much better when you don’t have to think about dodging cars, trams, posts, pedestrians, etc and can just enjoy). Worked on (and finished!) one of my final papers. Unfortunately it’s the one that was easy – straight research, not much original thought – but it turned out to be somewhat interesting, I believe. Saturday night we took advantage of the beautiful weather, Sarah’s lack-of-a-bike-due-to-lost-keys, and our own laid-backness and enjoyed a low-key night at our neighborhood bar, The Green Elephant. The rest of my time has been spent working, watching Bones episodes (whoo hoo!), walking in the city, and riding to parks, just enjoying Amsterdam in May. Which is easy to do. The weather has been in the high 70s for about a week and a half now. I don’t remember the last time it rained – it’s been sunny every single day.
Donny and Amanda’s programs ended Saturday, which is a scary thought. Though it would be even scarier if they had gone straight back to America – they’re traveling around England/Scotland, and I hope they have a blast! I don’t think I could take the shock of seeing them in pictures in America, though. Scary.
Mom and I have been further planning details of our trip! We’ve gone from renting a car for the whole 9 days to renting it for only one, and figuring out public transportation, but it seems to be for the best. We’ve decided on taking a bus tour to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren area one day, which I am super stoked about. Also we’re going to rent bikes and ride around the Aran Islands (we’re staying on one for one of the nights) and horse back riding in Conemarra National Park. It should all be super fun! : ))) Dana and Dad should both be super jealous! Lol
Anyway, nothing much planned for the coming week … just enjoying a’dam of course. There is a world press photo exhibit in the Old Church that I think I’m going to go to tomorrow after class, so if it’s cool I’ll be sure to add a post : )
Until then …
Much love!
Good post.