Amsterdam. Such a lovely city! No matter what time of year it is or what is the weather like, Amsterdam has it’s certain character and that’s enough for me! I could go to this city over and over again. I’m sure I’ll never get bored of it.
Beautiful canals everywhere. The unique feeling and relaxed atmosphere charm you. Everything reflects: Good Vibes Only! I think the best thing is to walk around and feel the city. The street life is magical. There are so many details in it: it can be a beautiful house, a cute terrace or as small thing as a funny sticker on the post box. As everyone knows Amsterdam is a liberal forerunner. I’m not even starting again the topic about their input on green things – such a circular economy (not only weed – catch you!). What I’m very thankful for is Alfred J. Kwak! What would my life had become without this children TV-series character that thought me so much about diversity, genuine self, helping others etc. To my surprise, I haven’t seen many Alfreds in the tourist shops – but I have seen the clogs where he slept in, aaaaww.
As an art-history-studied-wannabe-painter the Dutch art is great interest to me. So you can imagine how amazed I was when I saw the Night Watch of Rembrandt on a bike bag! How cool is this city? These details make my shout aloud: “Whattawowworld”! I think, we should always remember to admire these small everyday details – those are the spices of life.
Amsterdam gives open views to people’s houses because the windows are uncovered and on the street level you can see everything. They say it’s common to go for a night walk and look at the windows and into stranger’s life. This is how the Dutch TV format Big Brother was born! Amsterdam is a bit strange in all kinds of way. According to Google there are around 2500 floating houses – many people live in the canals. And those who live on the ground have special houses too: you see very narrow and steep stairs that go down to a ground-floor apartment or up to attic apartments. And those who live in between are the Big Brother cases… Amsterdam looks beautiful also because of it’s nostalgic looking cast iron street lamps – I can imagine a film kiss scene under those. Another cheesy thing is all the cheese boutiques that this city has to offer! They must love cheeses here. I tried some at the Cheese museum shop – which is by the way a quick tasty stop – and there were so many interesting options. For example a pink pesto cheese! I think the Dutch beer is cheesy too because it tastes somehow soft and sweet! Even though I prefer crispy or more pithy ones I don’t complain: I love to sit in all those cosy small corner pubs of Amsterdam.
Watch out the cyclists in Dam! They ride a bicycle like crazy! I wonder how many bike accidents happen annually when there are so many cyclist and tourist coming across to each other. Unfortunately Amsterdam has become more and more expensive too: the hotels cost quite a fortune during the peak season and the food and drink price range is getting higher. One recommendation and must place to visit is Foodhallen, where you can eat in a nice price and find many different delicacies. It’s also a place to hang out – open almost until midnight!
After all, Amsterdam is a city where the hookers, the church and the tourist shops live in melted harmony. There’s no hypocrisy in this city – everything is accepted and normal here. You can have truffles or go to church on Sundays. Amsterdam is the city of peace and love. Amsterdam is DAMnFUN!
