Amsterdam Cemtery a Celebration of Life

People are always surprised when I tell them I spent 2 days wandering the immense Amsterdam cemetery.   I didn’t go to Amsterdam with the intent of photographing the cemetery, I just found myself one day at it’s gates and well…it said it was dog friendly…why not.

A celebration of life is exactly how I would describe it to you…does that surprise you?  It certainly surprised me.  Walking the white stone lanes, spending a few moments at each grave side, I felt I almost got to briefly know each soul resting there.  So many markers moved me to tears, so packed with emotion  and yet others lifted my heart.

Signs of life and the living were everywhere.  From the enormous storks nest erected high above as if keeping sentinel and reminding all life is about the living, to the various bottles of champagne and glasses I saw tucked at various graves.  Each place was so personal, so intimate was their message.  Every stone told a story…from the engraved granite marker of a motorcyclist speeding along a beautiful depicted country road to the skier racing through powder snow…all artistically replicated to remind us all of their zest for life.

I didn’t need to know how to read Dutch to know the tale each told to those visiting.  On my second day wandering amongst the resting I was approached by one of the grounds keepers.  He asked me what exactly I was photographing and what kept bringing me back.  I think he could see on my face how moving I found the place.  When I started to explain my impressions…how this place was more about the living and the amazing lives these people lived…his nature changed.

I think he meant to scold me for invading such a private place with my lens’, but we ended up walking together.  He shared with me his personal favorites.  “All the most famous people of Holland are buried here”, his face filled with pride for the work he did.   I thanked him for his time, for the amazing work he and his co-workers did and for letting me invade if only for this little while the sanctity of this place.  He asked only that I didn’t publish the words on the stones…they were private words…so I will honor his request.

I do believe when traveling…a visit to the cemeteries is important….not only does it say a lot about a people how they honor those who came before, but also we all come from somewhere….you may just find your ancestors and know a bit more about where from whence you came.