Cardus Edição 39, 01-09-2018

Streets of Amsterdam

Oh Amsterdam, since the first time I came here with my dear friend Miguel, I realized how crazy I am about this city. He thoughtfully remembered me saying: “One day I´ll live here”. Focused energy is purely amazing. I got a job proposal at just the right time, and here I am today living a dream.

I was born in Angola, and although I went to Portugal when I was only 3 years old, the African spirit is something that never left me. Something I perhaps inherited from my family too. Freedom is a must in every matter of life. That is what Amsterdam has in store for you. Ams doesn’t care about your colour, sexuality, culture, weight or body size, teeth or blood type. As long as you pay your taxes, as long as you are part of the society, you’re free to live life as you wish. Actually you can even be a rebeller against society, and yet, you too, are important. There is a place here for you too. Nobody really cares. Ams doesn’t patronize you. Do whatever you want. It’s your life. Your rules.

I believe that the Dutch a long time ago understood that, to be open to difference, is more profitable and better for business, and if there’s something that Dutch people definitely are good at, its doing business. Portuguese people know it quite well since they’ve been their competitors (a nice way of putting it) since the age of colonization. Oh and how they nailed it. That is something you can still see here. They are traders. The city layout is geared towards business. The closer you get to the centre, the more inclined you are to see old buildings, where warehouses were kept in the attics so that the ground floors could be used for business and the other levels for the rich merchants. Leaning so that they could move bulky objects upstairs without damaging them. That is also why you see all those beautiful gables with the hooks in every building. So very Amsterdam. Still used in modern times because you just can’t use the stairs to transport large objects. They are too small!

Ams is also a city of authenticity, of beautiful and respectful buildings all very alike although each one is unique. Beautiful canals, where, with the first ray of light, you immediately see all the old and rusty boats turn to life, full of people singing, dancing, drinking and enjoying the simple things in life. Where organization is a reality. Where every square meter matters. Where everything works. Where your needs get reduced to a few squares meters of home since you have all the rest. Everything is well-kept. A lively city where something is always happening. You just can't get bored, and if you do, just grab your bicycle and cycle along the beautifully-colored fields that are just outside Ams.

Ams has a way of life where we are all one. All equal. Were life matters.

“Ams is such an easy life”

I am Amsterdam.

Pedro Cardeira.