“Amsterdam”

Chapter 71

It was the fall, 2014. 6:00 p.m. was closing time for Rijksmuseum, the museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. “Should we go?” I said. Ali said “yeah, I think so - I want to go to that Art Shop. You go with that?” and I said “yeah, totally.” We’re walking.

In the park, by the front of the museum, was empty. There was a couple people were picking up the trash, because they are workers at the museum. There wasn’t any visitors at all. Me and Ali were walking and we stopped just to check the street before we one block to the Art Shop, but there was bikes. Like a lot of bikes.

“There’s a lot of bikes?” I said. Ali said “ yeah… geez… you know for years I’ve been thinking about Amsterdam and the bikes this is next level” and I said “yeah”. There was a plethora of bikes riding back around work. There could be a little old lady on bikes. There could be a fitness person on bikes. There could have a guy nearly fat and winded… and he’s still had a bike. And we’re just waiting to cross the road.

In a minute, they were make 50 bikes. Again, baffling. And me and Ali just were waiting (and praying?) for a chance to go. “So… what should we do?” Ali said. I said “I have no idea… they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon…”. Ali said “yup…”. As we watch 10 bikes zooming across. Me and Ali were kind of frightened. Then there was a law… so I said “ let’s make a run for it…”

We ran. For our lives. By the way, it’s not that far at all. But it’s three bikes as opposed to 50 bikes. But, like I said, we’re running. Ali made it, she finally got through. I was almost there… and I heard a bell and I turned around and looked…

There was a bike rider, headed straight for me. It was 2 seconds. Thank christ they rang that bell. I was heading to the ground,I stepped in the bike lane and I swear it and then I took a giant leap and I made it… but I made it through the other block.

“Oh my god. Are you okay?” Ali said, slightly laughing. I’m already laughing said “what the fuck”, cracking up. I said “hang on…”

There was a lull again. I ran… again. I ran like the wind. Well… ran with bikes. A lot of bikes. And then finally got there. I made it through with Ali.

“You good?” Ali said. With a smile, I said “yeah”. She goes “Okay, cool - I’m going to go to the Art Shop. Cool?” and I said “sure thing”.