Saturday, August 01, 2009

Gay Pride Boat Parade, Amsterdam, 2009,

















Slept deeply and only woke up when I did, because of loud music on a boat going by on the Jacob van Lennepkade.

This is at the end of our road and this is when I realised today was the Gay Pride Boat Parade, really great seeing the boats at the end of the Haarlemmerdijk Dijk.

Remember 1997 it was quite a memorable year; we had friends over who we took up the end of the road to watch the spectacle.

We stood by a houseboat that had someone dressed as Cruella DeVille on the roof, he wore stiletto heeled long PVC boats and cracked a whip.

Every boat that came by he challenged and he would gyrate and crack his whip and the other boat would respond in kind.

A captivating and often fascinating sight, it was good to see Amsterdam’s gay face being so visible and attracting such crowds.

Hope the weather stays good so very one who comes to Amsterdam today has a great time, like the idea of happy people partying in the centre of town.

The boats start to leave up behind the Central Station, where they gather and slowly start to go down the Prinsengracht, the sound of the first boat approaching is very exciting as you get caught up in the high energy music pounding out.

The last time I went was in 2003 when it was a baking hot day and the canal was packed with people who had taken up their places hours beforehand.

That was the year before Gareth left Amsterdam and our friends Rosie and Jaya were over for a visit.

It was a great day, boiling hot and the Prinsengracht was packed, Gareth, who is gorgeous was attracting all the boats that went by to pause and flirt with him.

It was a wonderful sight, we all had a really good time, Jaya and Rosie enjoyed it very much.

http://www.nighttours.com/amsterdam/photos/videos.html

The mayor of Amsterdam is officiating at the weddings of five American-Dutch homosexual couples on a boat during the city’s Gay Pride festival, in part to challenge the United States to legalize gay marriage.
Mayor Job Cohen also performed the first Dutch ceremonies after the Netherlands legalized same-sex marriage in 2001.
The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of gay rights supporters to dance on packed streets in the city centre and watch colourful boat-floats parade down canals.
The marriage ceremonies today are part of celebrations of the 400th anniversary of New York-Netherlands ties.
Today we heard the boats going past on their way either to the starting point and their place in the parade or to take up their place along the route of the parade.

Glad the weather has not turned nasty and the boat parade went off successfully.

I am also personally happier today because Richie has bought me some new tops so I now have a whole heap of tops to wear which is brilliant.

It was something we forgot in parts, then Richie would look but not find anything suitable for me, and that is how I have worn the same four tops for the last year.

Notice since I have the option to wear something different that I feel better, which I do and I look better.

Plus the tops are not as baggy so there are no folds and creases under me as I slip and slide around in the bed.

And Richie does not have to adjust the shirt because it has moved and is hanging off my left shoulder.

I am much more cheerful since I can change my tops; the new ones also feel so much better

Than the four I have worn all year and that is because the new tops are soft to the touch and feel good on my skin.

Well I intend to enjoy the rest of the day, hope it is a pleasant day for everyone.

13 comments:

Amelia said...

Hi Herrad,

The photos of the Gay Pride boat parade, are wonderful, there are so many colours, it's always bright and cheerful - a real celebration!

New clothes are a great way of making us feel better, aren't they!
I'm glad that they have made you feel better. You deserve it!
Love & hugs to you & Richie
XxXxX

Anonymous said...

Hi Herrad! New clothes, that's always a lot of fun! I must admit it's been a while since I bought some for myself though, I've been trying to save money by shopping at the Goodwill stores. I love the photos, sounds like a great party happening! It's a nice sunny day here, not too humid, so I may go out for a long walk, but I'm feeling quite lazy at home and the dogs are so quiet right now, I'm appreciating my "mommy alone time", lol! I'm glad you sound so cheerful, enjoy the day!!!

Kelli said...

Herrad,
Thanks for sharing the photo's of the Gay Parade. I would love to see it. I hope the marriage of 5 gay couples will get the attention of the USA. My brother Rodd was gay and he had my full support. He passed away of HIV complications in 1995 at the age of 42.
It does feel great to get new clothes that fit. Enjoy...
Wishing you a great evening.
Kelli

steve said...

Your pictures tell so many stories ...

Drag Queen Overboard! Someone get the sequined life preserver. No, not that one. Do you want to make her butt look big? Get the paisley one with the vertical stripes.

Throws preserver to drag queen

What are you doing? Don't pull her on board! She'll get everything wet. Just drag her behind. Here. This should help keep her calm.

Tosses wet drag queen a beer

Herrad said...

Hi Amelia,
Lovely to see your comment makes me immediately wonder how you are doing.
New tops has made a big difference to how I feel.

Hi Rain,
I am wearing a purple top today think I will wear a blue one tomorrow, I am really enjoying the new tops.
Curious whether you stayed home with the dogs or went for a long walk.

Hi Kelli,
Sad to hear about your brother, you must miss him alot.
Losing someone is always difficult.

Hi Steve,
Love the paisley life preserver with the vertical stripes great detail.
Great story could almost see it happening.



Thanks for coming by and leaving comments.
Getting new tops has made a big difference to me this week.
Have a good day tomorrow.
Love,
Herrad

Anonymous said...

Hi Herrad! I did both! LOL. this is SO lazy...but I loaded the boys into the car and drove to the lookout to walk them around there. I figured they'd melt in the heat if I attempted a long walk. Plus it gave me an excuse not to move around too much, really a lazy day for me! Yey purple!!! :)

Taxingwoman said...

Hi! Herrad
This tops the Toronto Gay Pride parade. Fantastic photos as usual.
The THC vapour is going well for me

Thanks to you for that :)

Denver Refashionista said...

I love the pics.

You should post some of you in your new tops. You know I love that stuff:)

Herrad said...

Hi Rain,
Sounds like a good day to me, probably going by car was the best not just for the dogs but you too.

Hi Carole,
So pleased the thc is working for you.
Without I would have to use sleeping tablets which I found were not so good plus all the side effects are horrible.
Hope more people who can use it will do so as it is so much better for you than opiates that the doctor prescribes.

Hi Nadja,
I will ask Richie to take some photos and post them next week.

Really good to see your comments thanks for coming by really makes my day.
Have a good Sunday
Love,
Herrad

Unknown said...

Best ever Gay Parade I experienced and to turn the clock back to that time rejuvenates my spirit... Richie's delightful and delicious cooking and our wonderful times together are unforgettably etched in my mind's eye...am so v glad that we had those times together...take care dearest Herrad..much love always to both Richie and you xoxoxo

Libby said...

hi herrad! this was such a happy, upliftung post, i smiled all the way through it, & i'm loving the pictures of all the happy people in amsterdam! &, yes, please post pictures of the new clothes!! i'm a cheapskate, i got a bunch of summer clothes off ebay last year...& they're great!

Diane J Standiford said...

Of course we American gays always dream of Amsterdam...only the rich can make it over.(to freedom) Boats...I like the idea. I'm stealing your Frank quote, thx.

Herrad said...

Hi Jaya,
That was the best year when you were there too, lovely memories of good times, glad we hasd them together.

Hi Libby,
It was a happy day here yesterday, I could hear the sounds of a happy city enjoying a great day.

Hi Diane,
Shame only the rich make it over here, mind you not always as we have met a few very interesting people, usually at a coffee shop.

Thanks for making my day by coming by.
Have a good Sunday.
Love,
Herrad