Home Tours in Rotterdam Central District

HOME TOURS

IN ROTTERDAM CENTRAL DISTRICT

Provenierswijk is a neighbourhood north of Rotterdam Centraal Station and a tranquil oasis just a short walk from the bustle of the busy centre. Els Vrolijk has seen the port city grow from childhood and has lived within one kilometre of the centre all her life. Though she’s seen many friends leave the metropolis, Els would never dream of living anywhere else.

ELS, WHAT MAKES ROTTERDAM SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE?

“My house is hands-down the best place imaginable to me. I’ve been living in this beautiful house with its lovely garden for 29 years now, since 1993. Provenierswijk is right near the train station, but if you go down one of the side streets it feels like a calm oasis in the middle of the busy city. You can be at De Doelen on Schouwburgplein in just five minutes, but you’d never know it sitting here in my garden. It’s like a village; a great community with nice neighbours and a mix of nationalities.”

WHERE DO YOU ENJOY GOING IN THE CITY?

“I love just being in the centre, doing a spot of shopping, strolling around for a bit or having an ice cream. My absolute favourite spot in the city is Restaurant Blij, around the corner from me, at the intersection of Spoorsingel and Walenburgerweg. Both our names mean ‘happy’, so it’s a perfect match. It’s a fantastic place with a good chef and attracts lots of locals, which makes for a friendly vibe, plus they always let me bring my dog.”

THERE’S A BEAUTIFUL GRAND PIANO IN YOUR FRONT ROOM. IS THAT YOUR WORK AND HOBBY?

“Playing the piano and teaching it – piano theory and play – is my job. I had real golden years when I started for myself and all my pupils came to the house for lessons. I don’t work full-time any longer, but I do give lessons now and then. In September, for instance, I’m getting a pupil who failed theory on his conservatory entrance exam, so they recommended him to take lessons with me for a year. That’s a lot of fun and something I still enjoy doing. My grand piano was a very special purchase that I contemplated for a long time. I’d been searching for six months when I got a call from Rijken and De Lange saying they were getting a new Yamaha piano in and asked if I would like to try it out. I played a few chords and was just blown away, and so since 1978 this gem has been mine.”

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU FEEL IS MISSING IN RCD?

“It’s a real shame that people can’t seem to find the rubbish bins. The litter lying around is a disgrace, especially considering the collection service is good. This is a city-wide problem. Apart from that, I am a very happy resident of this wonderful city. I’m a real homebody, mostly because of this lovely spot that I’m lucky enough to call home.”

ELS VROLIJK

Hobbies: playing the piano or doing puzzles on my iPad whilst listening to the likes of Chopin Favourite spot at home: the front room at my grand piano or on the sofa