Saturday, June 30, 2007

An Evening in Amsterdam...

Los Angeles is a city of cars, bumper to bumper everywhere you turn. Rome is a city filled with scooters. But Amsterdam, now this is a city of bicycles. They are everywhere, chained along every sidewalk and sailing down every street. Not the functional 10-Speed bikes of North America. No, these are quaint, old-fashioned, romantic things, with curved handlebars and pedal breaks, with baskets on the front to carry groceries and flowers home from the markets.

The ubiquitous bicycles lend a dreamy, wistful air to this paradoxical city. Amsterdam’s centuries-old buildings and sparkling canals blend strangely with it’s Red Light District reputation and the smell of marijuana wafting out of “Coffee Shops” in some quarters of the downtown.

We wander the city, stopping as we please, since we are still, for one more day, on vacation. At midnight we run breathless through the streets to catch a train, giddy from the air of a place still filled with exuberant people even at this late hour. We collapse into seats near a window and watch the city pass outside. Two girls in turtleneck sweaters, long curly brown hair streaming behind them as they pedal, sailing, soaring through Amsterdam’s nighttime, keeping pace with us in our train. The city lights blur in the water as finally we outpace these streaming-haired girls and crumbling buildings, only to see a couple, the man steering and his woman, side-saddle behind him, staring stately into the night, her arms pressed snugly around his waist.

Watching these nighttime people on their nighttime bicycles as we whip through the city, I feel envious, can imagine the feeling of the wind in my own air and feel their exhilaration. Even Jack sits, transfixed, face to the window, staring at the magical city that we are a part of, if only for one night.



















My other favourite flowers :)

































Monday, June 25, 2007

Sweet Home...

For any of you who don’t know (and I doubt there are many), I love my home. Really, really, love it. It’s warm, cozy, always full of happy people and fantastic food, eclectic music and the salty smell of the ocean blowing in from the back door.

My time there this vacation wasn’t nearly enough. Jack didn't get to visit at all, since he was busy trying to build his house in Israel. I was at home for six or seven weeks all together but it felt more like one or two. I was so sad when it was time to leave, I was downright depressed. Here are some photos of my wonderful time there.
My sister, me and my brother's girlfriend, Jessica.
Treats from abroad.

Late-night jam session.






Simon, Dad and the rest of the guys played a few great shows.







So many people came out to see the band. It was so nice to have everyone all together!



We have a house full of orchids.









My Meme’s 70th birthday party!
And also Mom and Dad’s anniversary.
I think Grace is showing promise already. If anyone can teach her, it's Simon.
















The gals...
I made a few visits to Halifax that were also way too quick, but I managed to see almost everyone at least once. Stephen and I indulged in quite a few delicious meals at his apartment (although I can’t seem to find a photo with him in it. Those are his pyjamas in the corner, hehe)
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Me, Mom and Eliza out for dinner with some of my aunts and cousins. We need to have this kind of girls’ night out more often!

Bridesmaid dress shopping…
... dinner,

... and invitation making.










The bride-to-be.
Dinner and drinks downtown.

Um, more food and more drinks at the Fireside (did I really do that much eating and drinking? Yes, of course.)


Back in Cape Breton for Easter Dinner. Grace has a crush on Jamie and it’s really cute.












Everyone joins Grace in watching Robin Hood, the Disney cartoon. Or at least the ones who can stay awake after all that turkey do.

We do a few artsy things.
IshyY









One of my two favourite kinds of flowers.

What a fantastic view in our back yard. No matter where I travel in the world, I miss it so much.

Regardless of how far I travel, or how many countries I explore, my home will always be where my heart is. Y