All hands on deck (and maybe even more)!!!

It was again the annual gay canal pride in Amsterdam in the beginning of August.

This is a very different pride than others,  because it is gays, glitter, sexy bodies and partying on boats instead of marching through a street. Amsterdam was colored everywhere with rainbow flags and pink stuff. Thousands of people follow this parade and it is one big sexy boatparty with gays, straight people and lesbians on and around the water. There is no place in this world, where you would get a party like this. The atmosphere is so amazing and absorbing like nowhere else. People just unite and enjoy themselves.

 

The canal pride in Amsterdam begins at 2pm and afterwards many activities with music, performances, food and alcohol start. Like Queensday here in Holland this all happens outside, and with the weather this year being very hot, lots of flesh was shown all around on the boats and on the sides. No complaints from us here!!! ;o)

 

Every year you have to register to be one of the boats in the parade and then there will be about 85 boats picked for sailing on the canals. As you can guess already the response is every year bigger and bigger, so lots of

disappointments too. This year the parade was again a combination of different kinds of organizations, bars and clubs, but also banks, police forces and the army had a boat to support their LGTB staff and

the gay community. Many artists perform on boats like Dutch singer Sharon Doorson ( contestant of Popstars: the rival and The Voice of Holland), Dutch celebrities, several dragqueens to entertain everybody and even a whole boat with the coach of the Dutch Football team and several players.

 

I have been to the parade for many years now. Sometimes on the side of the canal, last year on a boat being in the parade and this year on the last minute we were invited by straight friends to be on deck of their boat watching the parade. We did not know many people, but it was one big happy family, who enjoyed themselves by jumping in the water, drinking, swinging their hips on the music and just having so much laughs.

This proved again that straight and gays can party together and have fun. One straight couple went with us partying afterwards in the regulierdwars straat (rue de vaseline LOL). It was very crowded and busy, a long line waiting to pass and suddenly our straight friend made sure that we got in without standing in line for this great gay party. How upside down world is that!!! ;o)

 

Many parties after the festivities on the street were organized, but after almost twelve hours outside standing in the sun, alcohol in our hands and dancing, my good friend was tired and wasted. We called it a day and went to my nephew’s place to crash. We had to get back to Antwerp the next day. There was also Antwerp gaypride and the World Outgames during that week (more information and stories later about that), but first we went after the hangover and a cup of coffee to the sales weekend of bookstore Vrolijk.

Because of financial reasons the previous owner stopped with the store, but with new investors they are going to open again this fall. We bought some bargains and congratulate them with the re-opening soon.

 

With so many prides and activities in every country and just one ME, I can’t be everywhere. Choices to make…..hmm life can be a B*tch LOL.

Gladly I have a boyfriend, who is a reporter for http://www.out.tv/be/ and many friends and family who want to share their experiences. I hope you like it and if you have a story for me and my readers, please share and send me a message. Love to hear from you all.

 

Have a great Pink Pride day!!!

 

Big kiss,

 

 

Lesley