I was convinced that in The Netherlands, the “REAL beach day” was a phenomena akin to the descriptions of the Scottish Loch ness. Every time I heard Dutchies telling me how they had gone to the beach the week before, and how lovely it was, I automatically stored that information in my internal box for social maladies. For me such an affirmation, as it being “lekker warm” at a beach over here, belonged to some form of very specific Dutch-collective-delirium which I wouldn’t take seriously because, you know, the lack of sun can have its consequences, and psychological malfunction seemed a very feasible one to me.
Every time I had gone to a Dutch beach it was just COLD. At times freezing due to the wind. I had given up. For me it was fine, I’d go to the lakes, I’d swim in the canals, I’d sunbathe at the parks, but please don’t try and convince me that it is going to be pleasant weather next to the sea. This was until last Wednesday, the 14th of September of 2016.
Linda and me took the train to Zandvoort, that afternoon. Linda belongs to the group of people who wouldn’t be cold anyway – she’s a Frisian. I belonged to the group of the non-believers. The reason I went there was pure escapism: I was boiling in the city. It had nothing to do with hope. In theory there were 30 degrees in the whole country, but from my experience, no doubt it would be windy next to the coast. What I didn’t know back then is that the next couple of hours I was about to experience one of the most surprising revelations since I live in this country. And now, while telling this story, I feel like some sort of pilgrim, one chosen amongst the foreigners of the low countries, to witness and inform others about this apparition.
These photos were taken in order to serve as proof that “it” exists. The REAL beach day actually occurs in The Netherlands. I saw it. I felt it. I’m officially converted.
{We went to Zandvoort with the train. It takes exactly 30 minutes from Amsterdam Central Station to Zandvoort aan Zee. Then we walked around 20 minutes in a straight line along the beach to Bloemendaal aan Zee, which has a better atmosphere than the first one. That ‘no-man’s-land’ between the two beaches is actually the best area to chill-out, if you ask me.}