Sometimes I wonder what I’d be doing if I was living back home in Manila. On a Sunday, for example, Marlon and I would probably, like most young Filipino families like us, take our daughter to the mall for a meal and a walk.
The difference in what-could-be really strikes me on weekends like the ones we’ve had recently. I thought I would miss shopping malls when I moved to Europe, but I don’t. Not when we have this.
On one of our weekend walks in Westerpark, we explored an idyllic footpath that brought us you closer to nature. I still have a hard time believing that this is literally minutes from my house, and I live so close to the center of Amsterdam.
There’s even a windmill, which makes me feel as if I’ve left the city entirely.
For now, Tala is confined to her stroller on these long walks…
but I’m already looking forward to taking her to this petting zoo (ooh, pony rides!) when she’s older.
Further west on this path is a miniature village of urban gardens. Since not everyone has space for a garden at home, the city sold these small pockets of land to residents who want to do some gardening. Many of the owners build small structures that they use as garden sheds, picnic houses, even little studios… a mini escape within the city.
On the east end of the park, closer to Centraal Station and along the train tracks, is a Waternatuurtuin, or “water nature garden.” This piece of marshy land has been kept amazingly unspoilt since before Amsterdam was founded. Today it’s a bird sanctuary and nature reserve, with a little bit of public art thrown in for good measure.
Closer to civilization, we found a little slope that overlooks the brick buildings of the Westergasfabriek…
… plus a wading pool, and an open field with no trees or buildings to block the sun.
One Sunday afternoon, we spread out a picnic blanket on the grass and stayed until sundown. Tala nursed and napped while we enjoyed the sun.
When I was growing up, Sunday was always family day. Now I have my own family days, and I love them.
How do you spend Sundays with your family?
