Sail 2010 in Amsterdam

It’s no secret that Marcel and I enjoy our alone-time. Away from other people, often spending hours without saying a word.

We could take up fishing … Instead, we read, barbeque, drive around, talking when wanting to and enjoying the silence when not.

So what in heaven’s name would draw us to an event like Sail 2010, where half a million people descend on a couple of kilometres of boardwalk and water?

Because, once in a blue moon, we really enjoy the buzz.

It’s fascinating how you can have so many people, in such close quarters and they’re all (calmly) enjoying the day. People are happy to queue for ferry rides, or wait in long lines to get onto tall ships, or to buy food and drink. The usual comfort-index of a metre space in front of us gets replaced by a measly 15-20cm. I find it quite odd how we can overlook this invasion of personal space.

Also coming from Africa, it surprises me the lack of underlying tension that could erupt at any moment. Attending events there, is pretty much like going to an English football match. You have no idea if (or when) the fans will get out of hand, resulting in emergency ward visits. Nope, here it’s peaceful. Chaos! But peaceful.

While Marcel rested his worn-out knee, I joined Ina, Andries and Hugo on Saturday. We caught the Metro from Amstelveen to Amsterdam Central, and walked around the back of the station to get to the wharf. “Follow the crowds!” the information attendant offers.

We’d done a little research beforehand, and could choose between catching a ferry on the river IJ, or follow the 5km route that had been stippled out for pedestrians. We opt for a relaxing cruise.

It’s sheer madness on the water.

Bathtubs carrying two, pleasure boats carrying two hundred, and gorgeous vessels with endless sails and sheets. Most people followed the same course. The main passenger ferry, however, haulted the flow of traffic, cutting through it perpendicularly, to take visitors back from the island to mainland on their one-way route.

I adore the scale. Teeny tubs against vast hulls. Throngs of pedestrians towering above us on mighty decks. The imagination and practicality of all the boats as different as the lubbers perusing them. Some folk have sleeping bags to lie on, while others opt for deck chairs to sit on. Luxurious boats offering comfortably-padded leather cushions.

Tjoof, tjoof, tjoof … a sound grabs my attention amid the attack of boat fuel and smoke on my nostrils. I find the source … it’s too cute for words – an old boat powered by steam. I watch it for some time, wishing Marcel was here to enjoy it with  me. I miss my honey when he’s not around

Threatening storm clouds add a dramatic backdrop to the day. I’m really hoping it doesn’t rain, as I’ve placed my faith in the weather man who’d said it would be warm. No jacket. No raincoat.

Video by Andries and Ina Steenhuis

Our cruise is over too soon. It’s already mid-afternoon, and Andries and Ina want to see a bit of Amsterdam. So we head back past the station and look at our options on the map. There’s one Metro line to Waterlooplein, which is of interest for the Opera house, Amstel river and the Skinny Bridge. But first, we head down Damrak and enjoy a “koffie verkeerd” (or “verkeerde koffie” as my brother-in-law calls it) at the Bijenkorf. The renovated restaurant looks fab!

Hoardes of people are walking in every which way. The Dam is hugely popular, with Madame Tussauds a major drawcard. The royal palace is hiding behind scaffolding. Doesn’t that suck? I can see disappointment on faces who’d come here specially to see it, only to discover that their timing was bad.

Like everyone else, we do a spot of people watching, and sit on the steps at the memorial. Two guys had fallen asleep and were awoken with a fine and two police officers, “Welcome to Amsterdam, hire a hotel bed!”

A bunch of sea-dogs in captains’ uniforms appear and form a couple of rows. Next minute we’ re being entertained with Amsterdam “smartlappen”. Fabulous. Nostalgic grannies singing along. I’m wondering what effect this will have on the memories of their bemused grandchildren. In 60 years time, will their nostalgia include these cultural songs?

Time is ticking and with the Metro ride, there’s a long journey home. I part ways with Ina, Andries and Hugo, who get off at Waterlooplein, wanting to experience more of this amazing city. I get back to Amstelveen, give my mom another cuddle before she heads back to England, and drive home to enjoy a Saturday night alone with my hubbie.

Yay, I’m really glad I made it to Sail 2010!