On the edge of the city proper of Amsterdam lies the Vondelpark, a 120-acre green space with mature trees, ponds, gardens, bike paths, and open field areas. Throughout the meandering paths people young and old can be observed walking their dogs, playing football, jogging, or just chilling out.
Sunbathing is allowed everywhere! Just not in your birthday suit. Paradoxically, a few years ago it was proposed in a municipal memo, in the true liberal spirit of Amsterdam, to allow the act which I'll refer to here - since this is a family-friendly blog - as makin' whoopee. This proposal was eventually struck down by law enforcement, since it would largely be, you know, against the law.
As oppose to the weather we were used to during our time in Amsterdam, this particular day was very sunny with a 90% chance of weather-related happiness. The previous days were either cloudy, rainy, or some kind of schizophrenic mix of sun, dark clouds, and downpours all in a span of thirty minutes. It was so beautiful outside that we had decided to consider it an extension of Karina's birthday, even though it was days before.
We chose a picnic spot next to a large pond where ducks, birds, and egrets seemed to be having a mixer of sorts. On the menu today was, you guessed it, bread, cheese, and wine. To round it out, we also had bell peppers, tomato, salami, and stroopwafels - mini-waffles filled with caramel which can be purchased in stacks at any grocery store for about a Euro and a half.
A fitting picnic towards the end of our time in Amsterdam. We reflected about all the different spots we've picnicked thus far - in the Alps, within sight of the Eiffel Tower, with a friend in Belgium - and how each picnic has been great in its own way. It goes to show you, even on a budget, you can still enjoy the luxuries of any destination.
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