Full term and 37 weeks today! At this point I’m in serious nesting mode, reluctant to leave home unless absolutely necessary—kind of like how mama cats hole up in a dark corner before giving birth. With Little Mango heavy in my belly (2.6 kilos, or 5.7 pounds!), walking is becoming uncomfortable and tires me out easily.
This is why it’s been hard to find the energy to explore our new surroundings. It’s a bit of a shame, because I was so excited to move here! Not only is our new ‘hood Westerpark diverse and interesting in itself, it’s also just off the Jordaan, one of Amsterdam’s most picturesque, charming neighborhoods.
I practically have to force myself to get out of the house for short weekend strolls. I don’t always succeed! But when I do, I end up wide-eyed and delighted. I become a tourist all over again… or maybe I never stopped being one.
For example, just minutes from our doorstep lies what I think is one of Amsterdam’s prettiest canals: Brouwersgracht.
Brouwersgracht is lined with former warehouses, which you can tell by their huge windows; these made it easier to load cargo from boats coming into the city via the canals.
These old storehouses have since become some of the most sought-after and upscale apartments in town.
Our new home is also just a a hop and a skip away from the Haarlemmerdijk (and Haarlemmerstraat), voted the Netherlands’ best shopping street. This stretch is full of amazing gems that I can’t wait to explore. One of these is Amsterdam’s oldest cinema, The Movies, which was built in 1912.
With my due date so close, I don’t know how much more time I’ll have to explore. Though the weather is still mostly dismal, I guess I just have to bundle up and forge ahead.
Oh, and as you can see, bundling up is precisely why I haven’t done any maternity style posts since returning from Manila. I’m just a big black duvet with legs!
On days when I’m feeling lazy, I just have to remind myself that some of the most beautiful parts of this city are right outside my doorstep…
… and who knows? I might actually make it out of the house!
