As I write this, I realize this will probably be my last trip to The Netherlands until the end of next year. The Dutchman will be moving to DC soon. My frequent trips to Europe will be exchanged for discovering the Americas with my future husband, who also shares the same love for travel as I do. Last Saturday, I landed in Amsterdam and before heading to The Hague. The Dutchman decided to take me for a breakfast stroll in Amsterdam.
For our stroll, the street which came to mind was Prinsengracht. I fell in love with the street since my first trip to Amsterdam in 2006. I love looking at the beautiful ancient homes. I enjoy the lack of curtains as I can look into the delicately painted ceilings of the homes paired with modern furniture and open kitchens.
We ended up eating a simple Dutch breakfast of bread, cheese, and ham at Brasserie Bâton. We sat at the bar tables facing the windows and watched the mix of people: the gang of young Italian men on weekend holidays, the stylish model riding her bike, and the gentleman with his hat and tweed jacket who has lived in the neighborhood his whole life. One of the things I have always appreciated from Amsterdam is how such a mix of people can live in perfect, beautiful harmony.
We ended our morning with unexpected shopping. The Dutchman parked right in front of a beautifully curated vintage shop, Rumors Vintage in Haarlemmerstraat. I underestimated the cold and rainy weather of the Northern European fall and failed to pack a warm enough jacket. I left Rumors Vintage with a beautiful vintage tweed hunter jacket, which is now my companion for the rest of my European journey.
