The average high in Amsterdam does not reach 60 degrees until the first week of May. So the sun and high temperature around 65 degrees last week led to a short lived spring frenzy, with the patios of bars, restaurants, and cafes packed full of people eager to feel the sun after months of winter cold and darkness.
I took advantage of the weather by running up and down the banks of the Amstel River a few times before going to a Couchsurfing fruit and wine event on a houseboat on the Amstel in the center of Amsterdam (the same houseboat where Thanksgiving and other dinners have been). We were able to leave the doors open and toss small slices of fruit and bread to the birds on the water. Smaller boats that were not moored to the riverbank passed by, with people drinking beers and eating food while the sun set.
Temperatures have returned to normalcy now. The high today was under 50, and the low temperatures will drop below freezing for much of the week. But the sun has been shining more brightly, flowers have been planted, and trees have begun sprouting green shoots, buds, and leaves. In sum, spring is in the air.
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