Parties that start at 9:00 PM: how come

For a few weeks in a row, I have something to do on Saturday evenings and family members, friends, or colleagues invite me to a party. ‘You are welcome at 9:00 PM!’

Yes, then you suddenly feel old. Because back in the day, when the world was still made of sugar, we toasted until around five in the morning and nine o'clock in the evening was just the beginning of everything that was yet to come. A start of the night, a quiet moment to ease into it. No, at that time you were just having dinner, with a bottle of wine. Around midnight you went to the pub. No problem at all. The most normal thing. You realize that times change in your life when you suddenly find that 9:00 PM is damn late. To start with a drink then. Nice and all, but you'd rather go out around five or six, so you can still lie stretched out on your couch at ten. I say ’you‘, but of course I'm talking about myself. I find nine o'clock no fun. By then I'm already exhausted and curled up in a baggy tracksuit under a furry blanket on my couch.

Where have the times gone, I think wistfully. As I cycle through the city, yes, at half past eight, because I do go, I can even miss the city a little. Oh yes, at this street corner I once fell off my bike very drunk. I still feel the scrape on my chin. Oops. Diagonally across the street, god, there lives, what's his name... Oh yes, had a house party there once, overcame a hangover there once, that's where my local pub is... How many times have I crossed this traffic light on red. How many times have I seen this square in a haze. I know the city and the city knows me. But we are temporarily on a break-up, sorry. I can't come mess around at the corner of the street and drink just a bit too much protein with my besties. I'm currently drinking tea and ginger tea, with my big little friends in my belly.

But don't forget, dear Amsterdam: this relationship is forever, ours. I will definitely be back next spring. As soon as the terraces are full again, the mulled wine skating rinks make way for boat trips through the canals and the Pijp is once again overflowing with day-trippers who want to sit in the sun, I will be back. And do you know what the best part is? Then I will have made two new little Amsterdams. Look, then you will forgive me this break, right, Amsterdam?

For now, let's meet at 6:00 PM. See you soon.