One of my weaknesses as a tropical-blooded person in a cold climate is that I tend to shy away from going out in the evenings, especially when the nights start to get longer and colder. But when I do end up going out at night, I always end up happy and thankful to live in a city that looks so pretty after dark.
My friend Michelle’s birthday last weekend was another chance for me to savor Amsterdam by night. She kicked off her celebration with drinks at the Sky Lounge of the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel beside Centraal Station, and the pleasant weather allowed us to stay out on the terrace to enjoy sweeping views of Amsterdam by night.
Part of the Sky Lounge terrace overlooks a side of Amsterdam tourists normally don’t see: the broad expanse of the IJ, with (from left to right) Westerdok, Centraal Station and the Eye Film Institute…
… as well as the Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ (Music Hall on the IJ), the Movenpick Hotel, and Marlon’s former office building. This is where the big cruise ships dock when stopping over in Amsterdam; there’s one on the lower left of this photo.
Spot the strollers! One thing I love about Amsterdam is the relaxed attitude towards babies and children in restaurants and bars. It’s not unusual to see parents enjoying a beer with friends while bouncing a kid on their lap. My friends who are parents love it too; it means life isn’t over when you have a baby!
This is also what I love about the group of friends I’ve made here: how they manage to still have fun (to have lives!) while bringing up their babies. None of them have live-in help; as foreigners, most of their families are a continent away. Having grown up in a culture where parents get a lot of help (from extended family or live-in helpers), one of my biggest worries is how Marlon and I are going to manage, just the two of us, so far away from home. Seeing how my amazing friends are taking on parenthood gives me courage.
So, this is how our get-togethers usually look: every gathering has a “daycare corner” (as we did on the boat Michelle hired to take us out on the canals that evening) and baby bottles sit amongst champagne flutes…
… and there are always friends who are eager for parenting practice when the mommies and daddies need a break.
A beautiful city, a wonderful group of friends, and so many reasons to celebrate. I feel incredibly blessed… and it wasn’t even my birthday!
