the daily view from Thru Other Eyes

Your Daily Pussy from Amsterdam

The best excuse not to have to make the bed!
 

How much is that pussy in the window

  December 11, 2009; Westerstraat, Amsterdam @ 12.30

Sometimes, even in Amsterdam, a pussy in the window is.. well.. just a pussy.

The Elephant Parade Marches On with Almond Blossom in the Lead

 Again today I came across some of the elephant statues in the city. This time in two locations, the Jodenbreestraat and the Spui. The Elephant Parade marches on! Today's featured elephant is 'Almond Blossom' and is dedicated to my dear friend Simonne who means so much to me every day of the year, year in, year out!

One of the elephants I came across today is now one of my favorites so far. Here on the right is 'Aboriginal' decorated with the colors, motifs and lizard symbol so characteristic of Australian Aboriginal art and culture.

Elephant Parade Jackpot

 September 21, 2009; Museumplein, Amsterdam @ 15.45

As I was biking from the Leidseplein to the Albert Cuyp Market this afternoon I thought I would go via the Museumplein where one can always see lots of people hanging out, skateboarding in the half pipe, playing basketball and strolling. And all of a sudden I came across the single largest collection of elephant statues in the city's Elephant Parade. Without using the Elephant Parade map once, my meanderings have now brought me across almost 50 of the 100 elephant statues in the city-wide exhibit.

Today's elephant photo safari

 September 16, 2009; Westerkerk, Amsterdam @ 14.30 Today in the asphalt jungle of the big city I came across six more of the hundred elephants that currently adorn our city. Perhaps tomorrow I will come across some more. See 'Elephant Parade' for the backstory.

 

The Elephant Parade

 September 15, 2009; Amstelveld, Amsterdam @ 16.15

Elephant Parade

As I biked through the center of town today I saw a colorful elephant statue with a tourist map as a design on the back. "Nice idea," I thought. A few streets later I saw three more elephant statues and I thought, "There must be something going on with all these elephants."

It seems that these elephant statues are part of an awareness and fund-raising project called Elephant Parade for the near extinct Asian elephant.

From the organization's website:

"From September onwards, a hundred full size art elephants will swarm the streets of Amsterdam: together, they form a remarkable open-air exhibition, the Elephant Parade, that is dedicated to the Asian elephant. After the successful editions in Rotterdam and Antwerp, the exhibition in Amsterdam will be the largest so far.

"The Elephant Parade is founded by father and son Mike and Marc Spits. With their project, they aim to raise attention for the Asian elephant, that is threatened with extinction. Their project has proven to be successful: the first two editions of the Elephant Parade, held in Rotterdam and Antwerp, raised a total amount of over 700,000 euro. The benefits of the Elephant Parade are donated to the Elephant Family, the largest elephant charity in the world and was founded in 2002 by Mark Shand. He is a globetrotter, philantropist and writer and maker of the BBC documentary Queen of the Elephants."

 Many of the elephants have been designed by well-known Dutch designers and other celebrities. They are on display at various locations throughout Amsterdam's city center until October 31. Between November 1 and November 12 they will be auctioned off and all funds raised will go to help the Elephant Family charity.

I would like to find the time in the coming weeks before my vacation to follow the route and photograph as many of the 100 elephant statues that I can.

At the Vet's

 Sept 14, 2009; Oostenburgergracht 183, Amsterdam @ 16.00

It was time today for Cinta (right) and Oga's (left) annual checkups and vaccinations. Oga is more difficult to get into the travel bag but once in stays quite still and chill. Cinta isn't so difficult to get into the box but once in she emits a constant low-volume short meow exactly every 1.5 seconds. Or so it seems.

The young doctors at Dierenkliniek Centrum-Oost (Animal Clinic Centrum-East) are really nice and good with cats. Both of ours got an A+ bill of health. Good coats. Good weight. Everything A-O-K.

Take me also

 September 10, 2009; study, apartment, Amsterdam @ 19.20

It always takes us a few days to unpack after a holiday, be it long or short. Just finished unpacking a couple of hours ago. Shortly afterwards I found Oga like this. Could he be saying, "Take me with you next time. Please?"

Tapas at Cafe Siempre

  August 10, 2009; 1e Sweelinckstraat 23, Amsterdam @ 18.40

Went to one of our favorite places to eat, Tapas Cafe Siempre. Generally we only go in the summer when one can eat outdoors. They are located in a nice small pedestrian cross-street near the Albert Cuyp market. The inside is small, a bit stuffy and not so attractive but they are one of the few cafes with gas heaters outside so the outdoor eating opportunities there are a bit more than at most places. The prices are reasonable, they have a large selection of tapas and they are quite good.

Besides eight normal tables outside they also have these wooden lounge type seats where the house cat often holds court. I think he may sleep more peacefully here than at a Chinese restaurant. He didn't even wake up from the crazy guy who was engaging various diners and passers-by in loud, sometimes irritating and sometimes amusing antics.

10 Spiritual Lessons You Can Learn From Your Cat

  July 29, 2009; Backporch, Amsterdam @ 14.20

I went out to the back porch this afternoon and found Cinta (left) and Oga (right) both staring towards a point somewhere in the open garden area between the buildings. Their gazes were fixed on something, but whatever it was, it was something that I couldn't see. And I looked real hard.

Then I remembered something I once read in one of the books about cats that we have in the house. I thumbed through several books until I finally what I was looking for:

"The cat is sound asleep, seemingly oblivious to the world around her. Suddenly she awakes, alert, her senses keen. She stares at a fixed point on the wall - but nothing is there...."

And that seemed to be exactly what I was witnessing. This wonderful passage comes from a book by Joanna Sandsmark entitled, "10 Spiritual Lessons You Can Learn From Your Cat."

This is a pleasurable and insightful book that will bring joy to every cat lover or anyone thinking about bringing a cat into their lives. From the back cover jacket (Dutch version translated by me into English):

"People who love cats have known for a long time that cats are smarter and more spiritual than we are. This delightful book is full of wise life lessons that cats teach us:
- There is always time to play, even in the busiest of lives.
- Smother people who are dear to you in love and attention.
- Sleep well and learn the art of relaxation in fine detail.
- Keep your eyes open for new opportunities.
- Find pleasure in the small things of life."

I have indeed learned much from Cinta and Oga in the five years I have had the pleasure and honor of being their companion and caretaker (although who is taking care of whom is open to debate). I am a better, more patient, more loving and more insightful human being thanks to them. Not only have I learned a lot about them but I have discovered so much about myself thanks to them.

And I thought when we bought them that I was 'merely' taking two wonderful pets into our home. Little did I know.

Cinta hypnosis

July 22, 2009; home, Amsterdam @ 17.30

Cinta has a very endearing habit. Actually she has many but I am talking about the one that whenever I come home, even if I have only been gone for a few moments, she makes clear that she would like what has come to be called a 'Mommy tummy rub.' I don't remember who coined the phrase, Cinta or me, but I suspect I did. Usually three or four minutes is enough but sometimes she will enter something between a hypnotic state and out and out sleeping for 15 - 20 minutes, which is about as long as I can rub her tummy without losing interest.

The Birds

July 14, 2009; Pieter Lodewijk Takstraat 33, Amsterdam @ 18.20

Had to go out for a walk before dinner (yes sometimes we get a bit irritated with each other hahaha but it passes quickly) and came across this couple feeding the pigeons, sea gulls, ducks and one heron. They were feeding them white bread which is like the worst thing for birds. Somehow, they look to me like people who go out and feed birds every day.

The neighbor

July 13, 2009; balcony, Amsterdam @ 21.50

Our cats' upstairs neighbor was checking out the action on our balcony and having a little conversation with one of our 'children.' Sometimes they have a playdate in the stairwell.

I'm here waiting...

July 12, 2009; home, Amsterdam @ 00:15

Cinta can sit there for a long time just watching, waiting for some attention. If she can't wait anymore she reaches out with her right front paw to you, touching your shoulder if she's close enough, "Hey, I'm heerrre." Sometimes she just gets bored and walks away.

Traveling in style

July 6, 2009; Rembrandtplein, Amsterdam @ 19.15

As we waited for the tram to go home after dinner, we saw this lucky traveler. Couldn't tell where these folks hail from but they weren't speaking Dutch. In any case, the four-footed members of this family are seeing Amsterdam in style. It's a dog's life they say and these ones sure are living it.