Swimming in Rotterdam

A flock of Dutchfolk crowded the floating dock in central Rotterdam when I arrived a couple weeks ago. The last of summer’s warmth was flexing for the city, scaring away work hours and excess clothing, replacing both with wide grins. The Nederlanders swam and soaked up sunlight while kids jumped off the bridge with the bold shouts of childhood, but I was busy assembling my new home. Now the season is turning, leaving dock and Dutchies looking wistfully at each other, coats already in the way.

But the other day was good enough for me! I went down past the floating saunas, along the floating offices, and gazed into the emerald depths of the Meuse River. Rotterdam is like most cities of prominence in having a river, but most such urban waterways are too polluted for swimming. (Relax Paris, I wasn’t looking at you, you gave it a good try. And Thames and Tiber, just stay where you are.) With this being the largest port outside of Asia, surely it’s too dirty too?

Delighted chuckle! Because who doesn’t like good environmental news? Not only is the port run cleanly enough, but everyone upriver has tidied their shops up too, so after shedding my outer layer I dived into the liquid embrace of my new hometown.

Swimming in (northern) California is a spiritual experience. With an angry deity. One that strips your skin off with claws that make glaciers shiver and your bones feel like icicles waiting to shatter.

Swimming in Rotterdam was a spiritual experience too. With a more loving entity. One that welcomed me with a sigh and said “Goede morgen and welcome, my friend. I’ve just added another year to your life. Would you like to say hello to a duck, or perhaps a swan? There are no sharks or jellyfish, so feel free to linger at your leisure.”

Rotterdam continues to pile delights on my doorstep, and swimmable water is a welcome contribution. And the other good news is that I’ll be back here in August with my Low Countries (aka Benelux) tour. Care to join me?