After nearly a solid week of rain, we were so happy to get out in the sunshine yesterday evening for a walk through the neighborhood.
The air smelled wonderfully fresh and clean and window boxes overflowed with blooms that glowed lush and brilliant in the setting sun.
I love this neighborhood. It’s both quiet and companionable, cafes and restaurants filled with locals chatting away over Italian wine, Dutch beer, and scrumptious food.
We met up with our Bulgarian friend Diliana at De Italiaan, a bustling spot known for wood-fired thin crust pizzas and high quality ingredients shipped directly from small farms in Italy. I love the lighting and convivial atmosphere and was especially charmed by the stacks of cheery red blankets scattered about for the use of chilly guests.
Most of our group ordered their favorite pizza, but as soon as I heard the Special – handmade ravioli filled with Dutch cheese and asparagus and topped with a pesto cream sauce – I had to have it.
We eagerly tucked in and happily swapped a bite of this for a slice of that until we were thoroughly stuffed.
We strolled home as the sun set over the rooftops, lamplight dancing across the canals.
What is your favorite neighborhood to stroll through? What do you love most about it?
I am pleased to see you have settled in to your life in Amsterdam. Where you are living looks fabulous. Very different to life on an Australian farm.
Thank you so much, Barbara. 🙂 It is a very different life indeed! I feel so lucky to get to experience so many different worlds before settling down to my happy country life in Oz. 🙂
I’m glad you’re having a nice time in Amsterdam!
Thank you, dear Zita. 🙂 It’s such a perfect place to rest and get better. 🙂
Great to see you looking radiant and settling in nicely 🙂
Strolling around beachy neighbourhood always makes me feel good!
Thanks, Corinne! 🙂 I do love it here. 🙂
Beach neighborhoods are the best – so relaxed and happy. 🙂
Waht a lovely evening! I remember being in Los Angeles once after they had several days of rain. It was sunny and clear without any smog! Amazing and quite memorable. In San Francisco, I like to stroll through the area down by the Embarcadero. YOu can see the Bay Bridge and the charming Ferry Building, which has numerous shops and restaurants as well as a gorgeous farmers market twice a week.
Your rain-washed day in Los Angeles sounds wonderful, Stevie!! San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the world and I know just where you’re talking about. 🙂 Love it there too!
Favorite neighborhood has to be Southbank in London.
Oh, I’ve never been there, Cailin!! Might get a chance to visit London this summer though, and would love to check out the Southbank. 🙂
Oh how lovely! That ravioli sounds delicious. You made the right choice.
you look so happy, Krista, which makes ME so happy!
Thank you, dear Joanne. I am very, very happy. Big hug to you! 🙂
You look radiant. I’m so glad you’ve settled into your temporary home. The neighborhood is lovely and it is easy to see why you enjoy it. I hope you have a grand weekend. Blessings…Mary
Thank you, dear Mary! I love it here very much. 🙂
Wow! I had no idea that this city looked so pretty! I pictured grey and more grey!
There is an awful lot of grey too, Joumana. 🙂 But when the sun comes out, wow, it’s beautiful. 🙂
I’m so happy for you and your new adventures!
Thank you, Erin! I feel very grateful. 🙂
Beautiful photos…and I love the tiles on the building. The flowers look gorgeous climbing up the fronts too! Yummy evening and it looks like you are having a wonderful time.
Isn’t it a lovely place, Barbara? So glad you like it. 🙂
What a lovely evening, wonderfully described! At the moment I’m in Salta and it’s the perfect city for an evening stroll. The shops stay open late, people are out meeting friends for a coffee, the lights come on, illuminating the beautiful churches and cathedral. The squares throng with people and the air sizzles with the aroma of fresh popcorn. Katy x
That sounds absolutely perfect, Katy. 🙂 Especially the smell of fresh popcorn wafting over everything. How lovely. 🙂
What a colourful neighbourhood-literally! The houses and flowers are just teeming with colour 😀
Stunning sunset for one of the best cuisines , Italian and a happy u with wonderful frens , ahh this is good and love that!
My favorite neighborhood is a little place called Highland beach. The homes are amazing and everything is close to the ocean. Cant believe it rain for a week straight that sucks but it looks like you made use of the sunshine. Food looks great!
My favorite neighborhood is a little place called Highland beach. The homes are amazing and everything is close to the ocean. Cant believe it rain for a week straight that sucks but it looks like you made use of the sunshine. Food looks great!