I might guess what you're thinking: 50 shades, Amsterdam the sin city... a NSFW post?
Nope, nothing even close.
Being blessed to have spent a few days in this awesome city during the even more awesome Hivefest, I still managed to snap some photos here and there. And although we did get a good amount of sunshine these past days, dutch weather mostly gave us clouds, and some rain. So, grey skies did gave to motto for a post for a #monomad challenge.
It had been a few years since I visited Amsterdam; last couple of times was just for a few hours, during flight commutes. Staying for the night, was around 20 years ago, during an interrail! But I still remembered well the characteristics that made me love the city: canals, beautiful buildings... and bikes!
![20220917_193142.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/23wBxowxHHBPivhFhcUBfn1HRUc2SobTDYyUBpq4xQS3VTsK4mJYkG6jL3ezHuFhgLvHz.jpg)
I love bike riding, and I actually ride to work a couple times a week; but seeing how well the city is prepared for this kind of transport blew my mind; a big contrast to my reality, since where I live they even banned bike riding in some places, during most of the day; places that would be perfect for a ride!
![20220918_132856.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/23xVChgr1GYphCaUQRHSUNnSEv3pjFXwoVQcADNgQ32wCiop4z1NHg5kMpxjQPNkHrjxK.jpg)
Amsterdam has a really relaxed vibe, and I don't think the everpresent scent of the magical herb has something to do with it.
![20220916_180834.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/23yJ9m336zJCtyCn9AqUtYZzx4ZnEUfaB7SGcLoe6ctS2PM249AFj73CsBK44tjEeEwU4.jpg)
It could be lack of a big amount of car traffic? Or the way the city grew, where buildings filled with history coexhist with elements of futuristic design, such as the building that hosted day 1 of our Hivefest?
![20220916_170252.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/23xVGnoZirjDA4ri5zonijQ7uAdRgHPgKvU8duV35aFuYkqZP1d9vnvdjXSbBSGKUmkPZ.jpg)
Well, even if I can't pinpoint a specific thing, it does feel great to roam around the city!
![20220917_191538.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/23ycyZQckofgYgCpAWVtfXhCNET1bPpqFLsrKe341jQ8n9ipatbddenXgyUDQmPFMiKE5.jpg)
![20220918_122814.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/23uQhgfqJYAJLvzD4dzHxthgmCfudtVShxbti7UfRXZ6qpQqZdFQvb9xRuGZs23zvr9xC.jpg)
Also great, is seeing it from above! Our second conference day was in Zuidekerk, a beautiful church in the middle of the city, with an imponent tower; and we had the opportunity to visit the tower. After climbing a few stairs and learn a little bit of history, the cherry on top was the view!
![20220917_155649.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/23yJCNTHRroikWQ3HJmsvLt6U3KLWVsJpVNSCiBajj9ssGpS9XhmWWoxGTiV4jDvwhHvt.jpg)
Given how intense our gathering was, there wasn't that much time to visit Amsterdam's attractions. But I still found Anne Frank's statue in the last day.
![20220918_133812.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/23zGTm9HFcvLXSHAvXgoHEaXbEHhpG4yRjgeN18oqyExJJPVB6DUnepmXyzpATgRtP3D6.jpg)
And to end the city's shades of grey, another one taken at our closing dinner; a great location, with a beautiful view of the river. The last rays of sun were still sheding some light on the clouds in the horizon, but the golden hour was quickly approaching.
![20220918_190952.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/23zbKjnH3UqAft9iVDWJS26URKRMpTKiDEN13vytUMthzH6539dknza4f4vNyHzVZNXNr.jpg)
Hope to see you soon again, Amsterdam!
![20220919_112008.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/EptazaTuusMHeLL6MhSphNciWKwjCQRJQdLbpAeiccVCgsqFyFx8ygUUsVzRav4ghEk.jpg)
![rgazlbwpwi.png](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://img.esteem.ws/rgazlbwpwi.png)
![Hive divider by doze.gif](https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pardinus/G3BmTHaG-Hive20divider20by20doze.gif)
Still haven't joined Splinterlands? In what planet do you live in? Click the banner below and join the fun! (It has my referral link; you can go directly to the website if you don't want to use it; either way... join in! 😎 )
![](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/freeztag/Eo8QtfGqVynfpP7nr5MRiJPCrhCxJJeazTec6bJar4xEfMdY2y9BAjbi3wkTGPNcrhj.png)