A few days ago, I decided to take a walk to my destination instead of tram, scooter or car. Although walking takes more time; It is not only healthy; It also gives the opportunity to appreciate our surroundings more. Usually - when walking - I leave my phone in my pocket; No photographing; It'll distract. But this time I decided differently. The added bonus is that I can give you all a glimpse of the beauty of my little city Amsterdam.

Living close to our our central park of the city "Vondelpark" - maybe the most beautiful park of Amsterdam - I always like to take the opportunity to cross it when walking; Even if this means a detour.

The park has several little lakes; I tried to capture the beauty of one of them. The photo is a little dark-ish, but somehow I like it anyway.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/vmXr6Vwd/2020-02-05-11-29-12.jpg)</center>

Vondelpark is about 2 kilometres long and has several paved roads for pedestrians and none-motorised vehicles to pass from north to south or east to west.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/5tf50mG3/2020-02-05-11-28-18.jpg)</center>

Not only at all sides of the park, mansions are build some centuries ago, but also in the park some historical, monumental buildings are present; They function either as museum, restaurant, or event location.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/3x5FMhFz/2020-02-05-11-30-05.jpg)</center>

Fortunately, Vondelpark is not one of those modern stylish ones. Officially established one and half century ago, the park is filled with kinda rough nature: old trees, plants, and even flowers with natural walking paths (except the paved ones). At some spots one can even feel not being in a city at all!

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/pVSBZzhW/2020-02-05-11-26-42.jpg)</center>

One of the oldest buildings in the park: Events are held here, next to the possibility to eat and drink something. In summer, many people will use the terrace - set at the balcony in front of the building - to wind down while enjoying a great view of the park.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/3NzCxQ54/2020-02-05-11-27-56.jpg)</center>

Not being religious, I do like many of the historical churches and tried to capture oe that sites just outside Vondelpark at one of its entrances.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/t43tpcrJ/2020-02-05-11-31-06.jpg)</center>

A shot taken from the only bridge crossing the park; We view the south side.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/rmXkxK1Q/2020-02-05-09-43-21.jpg)</center>

Just before entering the park, I took a different street than usual and discovered a really nice building I never seen before. It's an elderly home as far as I could determine. The architecture is not that uncommon for Amsterdam, but the wooden arches are rarely seen in Dutch architecture.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/8cYfmRtq/2020-02-05-09-34-55.jpg)</center>

The front side: WOW, Super big building! I really like the space it has in front of the main entrance; Quite uncommon in my little city; Very expensive garden this is; Every meter goes for gazillion Euro's in this part of town.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/RC1M1Qbf/2020-02-05-09-35-30.jpg)</center>

Leaving Vondelpark at one of its north eastern entrances, one enters the famous museum area of Amsterdam. Monumental buildings combined with super modern buildings makes this little district very interesting.

Not too long ago, the "Stedelijk Museum" extended its building with what people from Amsterdam calls: Bathtub.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/P5XNvFXP/2020-02-05-09-47-45.jpg)</center>

You can't miss it; The Stedelijk Museum I mean :) The Tub to left in the background.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/Nf0Wy6hQ/2020-02-05-11-19-32.jpg)</center>

Three museums in a row: To the left the Bathtub (Stedelijk Museum), the modern round building to the right is the Van Gogh Museum, and the towers just above the Van Gogh in the background, is the Rijksmusemm where the famous Nightwatch painting of Rembrandt can be found.

Don't you think all these bicycles should be parked somewhere else? I do! Too ugly. And while we at it; We shall remove cars as well from this area.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/gcg7PxxQ/2020-02-05-11-18-40.jpg)</center>

Here a shot of a building a really like; To the other side of Stedelijk Museum. The shot itself is difficult to make in a way it stands out due to the busy roads as well as all the electrical wires to power our trams.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/zB5QqWSZ/2020-02-05-11-20-36.jpg)</center>

Just the tower! Like this photograph much more than the previous one...

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/qMYZzWXG/2020-02-05-11-21-25.jpg)</center>

On the opposite side of all these museums, the Concert Hall is situated. The oldest and most prestigious we have in Amsterdam. Used for many classical and opera concerts, it is also used for more modern music styles. Once so often a kinda electronic dance party is hosted as well!

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/jqyjgrCD/2020-02-05-09-49-07.jpg)</center>

I've seen this modern buildout - to yet again a monumental building - many times before, but never knew it is the American embassy. Guess they needed a big reception/waiting room.

The little white cabin to the left of the photograph is a police watchtower. Seriosuly? Ugly and should be removed at once! Hopefully our city major will read this article and takes action. Otherwise I need to get active and do something about this :)

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/BQqJmLdz/2020-02-05-11-15-52.jpg)</center>

Quite a bad photograph but it shows a very unusual building - the round one to the right - which I was not able to capture in a way it really appeals to my eyes. Most to all monumental buildings in my country are blocks, not round. I actually think this may be the only one I know in Amsterdam being round. Therefor I wanted to include a capture of it here.

<center>![](https://i.postimg.cc/3NNnwZk6/2020-02-05-11-23-29.jpg)</center>

After Thor is done playing with us, taking his rain and storms home, leaving us with spring, I'll be walking and strolling the city more often. This season I hope I'll be able to capture it a bit more through - digital - stills. When so, I may share some with you :)

# <center>CARPE DIEM</center>
<center>**a STEEM original**</center>

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<sub>**qsounds music library** with more than 300 entries | [A...K](https://steemit.com/musicdiscovery/@edje/your-bedside-companion-music-and-stories-part-1of2) | [L...Z](https://steemit.com/collection/@edje/your-bedside-companion-music-and-stories-part-2of2) |</sub>
<sup>steem blockchain curator for @illuminati-inc and @qsounds</sup>

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