Feeling at Home

I think that 2004 is the year in which Amsterdam begins to truly feel like 'home'.

We had such fantastic weather last summer and I was worried at the time that this place would start to lose some of its charms as they colder winter days set in. Luckily I was wrong. I seem to become more and more fond of the place as the months go by. Sure, I'm looking forward to the time when I'll be able to sit under a tree in Vondelpark with the sun on my face again, but in the meantime I have time to explore the city in a different light (like on New Year's Day when everything was suddenly looking even more beautiful under its dusting of snow). If the canals freeze over and people start skating on them I will be stupidly excited!

I am at my most happiest when I'm on my little rusty bike, discovering a new cycling route along the canals and getting lost in the maze of tiny side streets. There is something so exhilarating about cycling in the city that it makes me wonder why I ever had the need for a car.

Talking of which, does anyone want to buy a Renault Clio?! It is sitting in the UK devaluing horribly as I type.

So life, I'm happy to report, is good. I had a morning run along the Amstel a few days ago, and as I stopped on a bridge to catch my breath and look at the view over the river I had a real 'Wow... I really do live here' moment. One year ago the thought of living abroad hadn't even crossed my mind and yet here I am, ringing my bicycle bell at tourists just like I belong here.