Ever since I was a teenager, I have been torn between visiting Amsterdam (and not). The stereotypes of the red light district, and being able to smoke weed, or hash, in public had me terrified. What kind of wild version of my parallel life was this? First impressions from propaganda and third hand stories were too much for my naive mind to comprehend.
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| traditional windmill |
So, down the bucket list it went, getting bumped by destinations like Florence and Rome, Vancouver and Montreal, Copenhagen and Bali. Hell, even Thailand somehow made it on the list before Amsterdam. After visiting so many places that I knew nothing about, I somehow raised my
travel bravery bar. I decided it was time to see what all the hubbub was about.
I am so glad I did.
Amsterdam is one of the most outgoing, inviting, international cities I have ever visited. Men and women alike, stopped to talk to me, smiled and even asked me questions. Faces like mine; all shades of human - many shades of multi-ethnic mix. It is beautiful. The men are extremely friendly, on the verge of flirtatious, but I try to never mistake common hospitality for flirtation. Although very much welcomed, from someone accustomed to brushing down busy streets surrounded by people not making eye contact, or receiving a sneer in lieu of a morning smile or a genuine, "good morning." Here, the train conductors are happy to smile, and say, "Good morning Beauty, what can I help you with?"
Not only did the little girl from the midwest find it utterly charming, even the east coast cynic in me had to smile and just take the compliment...and the assistance.
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| museum district |
There is so much to do in Amsterdam, let's start there. The museums, the canals, the tours, the historic architecture - these are all just the beginning of what the canal city has to offer locals and tourists alike. Parks, and art are bountiful in this city. I was able to see the work of Banksy at the MOCO, a quite diverse selection of works at the Van Gogh museum, and the historic Anne Frank House. Before you go, please note some of these museums require reservations and ticketing far in advance, so be prepared for disappointment if you do not do your research and plan ahead.
The prostitution museum is also quite famous. You can find discounted tickets to this exhibit at most of the hotels.
I like to utilize the hop on hop off bus/ boat system to visit as many of the cities attractions as possible in a succinct manner. There are always things on the tour I know nothing about and I am happy to learn.
The well known components of Amsterdam like prostitution and marijuana aren't as "in your face" and offensive as you would believe (by American standards). Amsterdam has a come as you are attitude, and doesn't push who they are on you. Oh, but you want it. You want to inhale it all, because it is magnificent.
The bars and restaurants are very European, almost with a Parisian cafe air, but with German styled sausage and beers. Fries, cheese and local meats define the delicious tastes found in most eateries here. You can find international fare of all types as well as you travel down the winding side streets and canal lined avenues.
There is a natural social ambiance which lends itself to a sense of unity and community living.
One of my favorite moments in Amsterdam was standing on the canal watching a man in a rowboat in a yellow rain jacket play the trumpet while a church bell nearby responded to the tune. All while it rained and an audience of probably 200 people stood and enjoyed the musical dialogue. This interaction gifted me my biggest smile the entire trip.
Watch out for the bicyclists. In the spirit of NYC bike couriers, they are everywhere. They will run you down, then curse you out for not watching where you are going. There are areas of downtown where you must be so careful entering and exiting buildings and crossing the street. There are dedicated bike lanes everywhere. It is quite apparent that most visitors are not used to this, and do not know how to accommodate.
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| IAmsterdam |
The foodie revolution is in full swing in Amsterdam. Like the rest of the world, top tier tastes and flavors have mutated all over the city. I had great food at my hotel, as well as downtown. Even the bar food I tasted was well above par. International favorites and local cuisine alike were both above standard.
Trendy bars such as Icebar combine tourism and chilled liquor in a friendly and unique atmosphere that even impressed me. They even provide coats, gloves and hats to enter into the arctic back room bar where the frozen shot glasses are kept. The Heineken brewery is also a big tourist favorite. I did not visit the brewery, but the canal stop is a busy intersection of the city where many locals and tourists meet and gather for socializing.
Amsterdam has all the qualities of a great international city. It is livable and walk-able, and most certainly bike-able, but overall has the vibe of a down to earth culture of individuals who just live and let live. It is remarkably simple, and they get it. The art scene is magnificent, and they do a grand job of highlighting the historic value of the city. IAmsterdam is a slogan I can relate to.
