Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Amsterdam sits atop bucket lists for good reason.
Being a charming European city automatically puts this UNESCO worthy canal network into contention with heavyweights like my beloved Prague.
Amsterdam is far more than coffee shops (aka marijuana dens) and the well-known Red Light District.
I figured it’s time to sit down and write my obligatory travel-themed post because it’s been a while.
You told me to write these posts from time to time.
I give Blogging From Paradise readers what they want.
After sampling this Dutch treat for a week I want to share 6 things to keep in mind.
1: Look Beyond Weed and Wang
Everyone knows about Amsterdam being a city of weed and wang.
People travel here from all over the world to enjoy the marijuana scene. One stumbles across coffee shops – which are for enjoying weed – through various parts of the city. We have a shop 2 stores to our left in a neighborhood about an hour outside of the town center.
Folks also visit the Red Light District for its unique flair. Sex meets Japanese vending machines in Amsterdam as the ladies of the night go on full window display for potential customers.
I am not into drugs or prostitution (and peep shows) but do love a:
- gorgeous city
- town built for pedestrians
- tight foodie scene (cuisine from all over the globe)
- place easy to get around via mass transit
Amsterdam offers all bullet points above and more.
Perhaps you come for the release. But you will discover far more than the twin worldly pleasures commonly associated with the capital of the Netherlands.
2: Public Transportation Is Easy and Cheap
We spent a few Euro – literally – to get from the airport to the center of town.
Investing a few bucks to traverse a hefty chunk of the city means public transportation is dirt cheap.
Bus stations and tram stops dot the city. We departed from a decent-sized bus terminal on the outskirts by the Ibis Hotel to find a tram stop which brought us to our final location.
Both buses and trams are clean, modernized and quite comfortable. Pay by contactless credit card, just like riding the dolmus in Turkey. Tap once after entering. Tap once on leaving. Use the same card for each person so the system keeps track of your fare.
Note; press the button to open tram doors. We did so to enter but forgot on exiting. We only missed one stop. But I maxed out on cardio that day, I reckon.
3: Mind the Bicycles
Amsterdam is the city of bicycles. Most people get around via bike here. Ballpark, most assume 800,000 bicycles whiz up and down paths. Basically, one bike per city resident.
Most riders take their time. A few riders fly by at breakneck speed.
Mind the bicycles. Look left and right before crossing bike paths. The 2 wheeled transports keep coming at you like the Terminator. Locals ride safely – generally – but beware the endless flow of cyclists all throughout the city.
Traffic lights turn quickly. Few automobiles combined with heavy pedestrian and bike traffic means fast turnovers. Get your sweet ass across the street pronto.
4: Take Advantage of this Walker’s Paradise
I love walking cities.
Amsterdam boasts hiking paths in the most unlikely spots.
Anyone can get around easily throughout heavily touristy areas.. Bike paths, sidewalks and hiking trails criss-cross the dazzling array of canals.
But today I found a sidewalk, bike path and hiking path adjoined in an industrial area snaking along a canal on the city outskirts. Basically, most cities deem these areas “No Man’s Land”; perhaps a dusty path worn out by the odd wanderer over years makes its way through. In Amsterdam, the mindfulness for walkers and cyclists is off the charts.
5: Groceries Are Quality and Cheap
Kelli and I enjoyed buying high quality, nutritious grub from Lidl.
As an example, I paid 0.95 Euro for a wholesome jar of strawberry jam I’d pay $5 USD for in my native New Jersey. Nutritious, high quality food seems downright cheap here. I usually pay a premium for such fare anywhere in the Western world.
We dropped 43 Euros for our weekly groceries.
Not bad.
6: English Is Spoken
Signs are typically in Dutch but folks here usually speak English fluently.
I recall meeting a Dutch man in Thailand well over a decade ago who spoke better English than old RB. He spoke flawlessly.
Folks here may begin speaking to you in Dutch but crossover the moment one hears my Northern New Jersey version of English (Or any version, for that matter).
Conclusion
Now you have a little Amsterdam primer in your pocket, Blogging From Paradise style.
