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playful blocks
In between the typical high-rise architecture of the Bijlmer lies a little red brick house. It is in a simple shape of a block like the neighbouring massive multi-storey buildings but its size, perfect terrace and pink flowers make it almost look like coming out of a game world. 2020-05-10
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frightened scooter
While walking through the colourful housing complex of Heesterveld my eyes crossed with the head lights of a scooter. Its front resembled a grotesque face, seemingly frightened and panicky. I was wondering from what it was hiding in the shade of this blue passage.
2020-05-10
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a pattern of meat
My partner and me went to the Celik Market shop to buy minced lamp meat for a barbecue. While standing in the line I couldn’t take my eyes off the meat section. Even as a vegetarian I find the pattern of different textures, sizes and tones of dark red fascinating and in some way beautiful.
I'd like to imagine that the meat label in the lower right corner was saying "piranha" instead of "picanha". 2020-05-11
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revealing mannequin
A mannequin with a slipped shirt caught my eye in the Amsterdamse Poort. The man of "Action's" advertisement in the opposite window seemed to be scandalised at this revealing view. 2020-05-11
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the treasure
On my walk through the Nelson Mandela Park this kid waved to me, he wanted to show me what he had found in the water. With the help of magnet fishing he and his friends had fetched this heavy safe box. He was waiting for his friends to come back with big stones so they would manage to open the safe and finally see what is inside. What could the treasure be?
2020-05-12
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entrance with charisma
Many buildings of the typical high-rise blocks in Zuidoost have striking entrances. The entrance to my apartment in “Hofgeest” is all covered with yellow tiles for example.
I managed to sneak in to this special entrance in “Haag en Veld”, it is very spacious and demonstrates a daring tile pattern. As a resident who crosses the brindled space several times a day one probably gets used to the distinctiveness very quickly.
2020-05-12
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my favourite corner
When I’m walking through the neighbourhood and I reach “Hakfort” behind “Heesterveld” I always think: This is the most beautiful corner of the Bijlmer. The high-rise building in a honeycomb shape curls through the green landscape, embracing the idyllic pond in the middle.
It feels like the neighbourhood ends here, the apartments have a view into the open, to the green distance. It's a hidden and pleasantly calm corner for me. 2020-05-13
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R2-D2
Since the first time I entered the building of my apartment in “Hofgeest” this is my real life R2-D2. I’m not even a fan of Star Wars but this trash bin has won my heart. Sometimes I salute him or wish him a good night. 2020-05-13
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good base
Many parking lots in the neighbourhood are plain surfaces where everything is visible for the residents of the surrounding buildings.
When we’re parking our car there are always men chilling in their cars next to us. And on warm days the parking lot becomes a popular place to have fun with your friends, enjoying the good base and stereo system of your car. 2020-05-14
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leaning
In all the horizontal and vertical lines I found a leaning one. 2020-05-14
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Good material for handy(wo)men?
Somebody is renovating his or her apartment. Garbage mostly waits for the “bulky waste” collection days in a marked area and it’s always worth a look.
2020-05-14
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chess mushroom
When I go to the supermarket I always pass this round table out of stone. I like to see people sitting there, having a cheerful chat. And one time, to my surprise, I encountered two old men who were playing chess. I hope that one day, I will also find myself there, playing chess or having a picnic with a friend. 2020-05-15
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UFO against corona
At “Ray’s Carwash Hakfort” I discovered this UFO graffiti which says “stay inside”. Was the graffiti made this year or do the two words coincidentally really match with the current corona time? We as aliens, staying behind safe glas to protect ourselves from the environment.
2020-05-15
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Grand Finale
If the sun manages to break through the cloud layer of Holland I notice it immediately in my apartment. In the morning the first warm sun rays lure me out of the bed, flooding the living room. And in the evening the golden light directs me to sit in the kitchen, waiting for a spectacular show to happen. 2020-05-16
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What to do?
That’s my impression about the corona policy here: All the written restrictions about social distancing, staying home and boat restraints in the canals. But then actually going out and seeing all the people clustered, chilling in the parks and on boats together. 2020-05-16
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The wind gathers people’s trash
When I look out of my window I usually don’t see much trash on the grass or in the bushes. Also the Nelson Mandela Park is mostly very clean. But there are certain corners in the neighbourhood where a lot of garbage gathers. Be it because of people who throw it heartlessly on the ground or the wind that brings it somewhere to make it dance. 2020-05-19
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First attempts of a nest construction
It isn’t mice that shatter the residents’ nerves in the Bijlmer but the countless pigeons which try to build their homes very close to yours. The only bird proof solutions seem to be nets that cover the balcony or a cat. And not enough to have a whole pigeon family pooing and screaming on your balcony, one might also have to witness a murder scene. In the spring seagulls are following the pigeons to their hiding places, in order to eat their babies they first kill the parents. The seagull leaves and sooner or later a human will have to clean the tragic scene. 2020-05-19
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my favourite wall painting in the neighbourhood
It reminds me of my grandmother's hand mirror which has a very similar print on it. My grandmother has the mirror since her childhood. 2020-05-19
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High-rise bicycle flat.
This might be a solution for the bicycle parking problems around Amsterdam Central station. A bicycle flat 2020-05-19
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kids playing with garbage?
One of the untidy corners I spotted in the idyllic area of "Hakfort". 2020-05-19
