Comments on: “what’s life like on a houseboat?”

By: Olga

Olga — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:51:17 +0000

*Phase, not face. STUPID SPELLING.

By: Olga

Olga — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:47:07 +0000

Yes thats right, Im from sweden so you won´t be able to read my blog. Most nonsens anyway. What good can a 16 year old art-student be ut to, really?
Well, to the point. Here we go. LETS TRADE LIFE. I am not kidding you here. I have had this dream of mine, ever sins I can remember, to live on a boat. The freedom you must experience very day must be… unhuman. But I am stuck here with my family telling me it will never work out anyhow, that “It is just a face, silly” and I will grow up with a wealthy family, having a good job, magically poop out babies from my vag whenever they feel like it ( Well, I think they have given up on that one now ) Every day I wake up and feel this urge to run barefoot into the snow to nearest airport and fly to Paris, London, anything but here. And I suppose most people feel like this. And It will probably pass. But SCREW THAT. I AM GOING TO FIND A FRENCH ,HANDSOME GINGER-GENTLEMAN WITH TATOOS AND A BOWLERHAT, AND WE ARE GOING TO ADOPT ORPHAN INDIAN CHILDREN AND TEACH THEM TO PICKPOCKET AND SAIL THE WORLD. ARSGFHR NOSEBLEED. SHIT.
I am so Sorry. Lets blame it on hormones, Its easier that way. You must find this outmost silly. But I somehow felt that I needed to tell you how darn lucky you are. And the fact that I now know that it is possible to live my stupid dream, makes me so exited ( that my nose begins gushing blood, yes ). Envy somehow doesnt really say it all. I wish to get to know you, and how you are currently doing what I would kill for.

RIGHT. QUESTIONS.
How do you make a living?
What is the name of your husband? ( I like how you refer to him as “French boy” )
Do you ever leave the harbour?
How did you find your boat?
Is it expensive to live like you do?
Do you know of if there is anything like chronic nooesbleed? And is i cureble?

With love and envy, Olga

By: Fannytje

Fannytje — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:26:23 +0000

hi,
found your site via creativevoyage blog. I really like it, I also live in Amsterdam, but Im from France and grew up in Sydney… so I relate to your backgrounds
Your description of the houseboat is magical, makes me want to move into one! Ive seen the inside of a friend’s houseboat, I love how ingeniously they are built:-) Enjoy the simple pleasures of your wonderful home and lovely Amsterdam!!

By: dingodevil

dingodevil — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:09:43 +0000

Pia, you are totally right about the magic of living on a houseboat. I spent my childhood growing up on a 100-year-old solid-oak “berrichon” on the Seine in the outskirts of Paris, and it was a very special experience. My father fitted it out himself completely by hand (with a little help from me as a young kid). Due to space constrictions, our bathroom facilities were also very constrained, as yours are; but one gets used to that…

Your description of the play of the sunlight on the water reflecting off the ceiling is very evocative to me. Also the constant gentle movement of the boat was very soothing.

As for the sound, it works both ways: sure, it’s unlikely that neighbours will complain if you are too rowdy, but music travels beautifully across water, and our upstream houseboat neighbour happened to be the leader of a French musical group specializing in South American folkloric music, and his instrument of choice was the pan flute: we used to love listening to him practising in the evening, with the ethereal notes of his flute floating across the water…

By: Annely

Annely — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:13:31 +0000

I visited Amsterdam lately (incl the Puccini Bomboni in Staalstraat . It’s a pity I didn’t hear any piano when walking beside the canals

By: liza

liza — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:54:27 +0000

What an absolutely fabulous post! Thank you for telling us all of this. And I love all your beautiful photos of your home.

By: fiona

fiona — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:05:55 +0000

I also have lived in a boat in Amsterdam- lots of years ago and a long way from Sydney where I grew up and now live. It was a barge moored behind the Central Station and more than anything I remember the movement. Everything swayed. Once I was sitting in a cafe and couldn’t work out what felt odd and then I realised nothing was moving!And to always see water and not be closed in by buildings meant that nature was so close, so present. Thanks for flooding my mind with glowing memories.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:39:15 +0000

Pia,

After stumbling onto your blog, I listened to your music after what had been a long and uninspiring week. I couldn’t help but cry and felt better afterward for it. Thank you for bringing a bit of beauty and peace into the world. I adore your work. So when can I expect to purchase your album? ; )

By: Concha

Concha — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:03:43 +0000

What a sweet, lovely post, Pia!

I really enjoyed learning about your home!

By: The Deco Detective

The Deco Detective — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:42:24 +0000

I just had an hour’s break from my piano students, so I listened to your music – which I loved. The intro reminds me of the feeling you cam sometimes find in Debussy’s music! Sorry to read about your great-granddad. I can tell from the music that he meant a lot to you.
Thanks for sharing this with us Pia.
Have a lovely Monday afternoon!
Trudi