Rotterdam is in the middle of its first heatwave in seven years. In case you’re wondering what that means, the definition of a Dutch heatwave is five successive days with temperatures over 25 Celsius at the De Bilt weather station near Hilversum, or when at least three days are over 30 Celsius.
I stepped out in the afternoon to find out what people in the city do when the temperature hits 30. Click the sun to start the slideshow.
Where is everybody?
This bog standard neighborhood open space is usually full of kids playing ball games.
The outdoor café at the art museum abandoned! Mind you, the temperature was probably approaching 40ºC in that little sun-drenched and sheltered corner. So, where is everybody?
The kids couldn’t get enough of this water feature on the Schouwburgplein.
The adults were cooling themselves with delicious Italian ice creams.
Some people were sunbathing on the riverbank…
… and some made the plunge into the river.
At the end of my hot and sweaty trek around the city, I did the sensible thing; I went to see a film at an air-conditioned cinema.
Art at heart 