Friday, January 1, 1999

Millennium Celebration

Now I haven't been to all the cities in the world but I have been to a few and In my humble opinion Amsterdam is the coolest city in the world. So while we lived in the Netherlands we spent a lot of time in Amsterdam. The sidewalk cafes, museums, and canals are just a few or the things that make it such and interesting place.
From Amsterdam 2000

From Amsterdam 2000

However the most special thing about Amsterdam is the people and the attitude they have towards life. It seems that people in the Netherlands don't moralize or force their viewpoint on other people it is pretty much a live and let live place. So if you had to pick a city to celebrate the millennium New Years eve of 2000 in Amsterdam was my pick for the place to celebrate.

We made reservations at the downtown Marriott hotel for 2 nights just a few blocks from Dam Square the center of Amsterdam. The Millennium Celebration here was to included bands, beer tents and a carnival along with thousands of people.

If you recall the concern over the year 2000 many thought that because of the problem with the date change in the computers infrastructure was going to fall apart and we would be potentially without water, electricity or other important services. So when we checked in the hotel gave us a letter asking us to fill the bathtub with water in case water pressure failed at midnight so we would have a water supply. As well they provided a flashlight and other survival components in case the worst happened

The view form our hotel balcony looking towards Dam Square

From Amsterdam 2000
New Years Eve 1999 early afternoon we filled the bathtub with water stored our survival supplies in case of disaster and headed out to explore Amsterdam on the eve of the Millennium. Our first stop was a couple of cocktails in the local bar. (We were starting early)

From Amsterdam 2000

From there we wandered the streets. The fire works were already intense even before sunset . They were setting of firecrackers and rockets by the thousands every where and the revelers were crowding out into the streets.

From Amsterdam 2000


The bands were cranking up in Dam Square carnival area

From Amsterdam 2000


From Amsterdam 2000

By 10:00 everyone was shoulder to shoulder in the Dam Square area with many people drinking from special two foot tall Heineken bottles sold specially for the Millennium Celebration. (Not to mention the spillover from the infamous coffee shops on to the streets)

After the countdown to midnight we headed back to our hotel room for a special celebration with a glass of Baily's (no disaster other than a few passed out people on the street)

From Amsterdam 2000
The next morning the litter on the street from all the fireworks and drinking containers was most impressive. It will take the city workers some time to clean the mess.

From Amsterdam 2000


From Amsterdam 2000

It will undoubtedly be the most remember New Years eve in my lifetime


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