Even the pigeons were still sleeping...

I guess I was just curious. I wanted to know how it would feel: a completely empty Amsterdam city centre. I got up at 5 a.m. and took the earliest train in the morning towards Amsterdam. It's only a 20-minute ride. And I found myself in a completely empty Amsterdam. Usually, it can be really crowded, so I tend to avoid this beautiful city because I don't like it when places are too crowded.

When I reached the Dam square - a place which is usually crowded with tourists, loud trams, pigeons, hot-dog stands and municipality cars that are trying to keep the place clean - was now completely empty. Even the pigeons were still sleeping. It was worth it.

Two years ago or something, I played a role as an extra in a Dutch movie for kids on this square. They wanted me to play a street musician. The entire square was filled with dancers behind me, and at the beginning of the scene, I had a short interaction with the main actors. The little girl who played the main character had to throw a coin in my guitar case, and that would make me start the music and the flashmob with the dancers that followed. It was so much fun to do! It was also really interesting to be part of such a big and professional movie production. Only for such a short part of the movie.

The movie didn't make it to the theatres because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but you can watch the movie at Pathé online.

The movie is called "Jackie & Oopjen".