My first thought as I exited the train station in Amsterdam was - Why haven't I visited here before?! After a super smooth and fast train ride from Paris (about 3.5 hours), you arrive in Amsterdam Central station. The station is right on the water (well, water is everywhere) and you are immediately greeted by thousands and thousands of bikes parked outside. I carefully navigated my way across the bridge, figuring out you have to look both ways to make sure you don't get run over by a bicycle or tram, and found my hotel. It's in a perfect location, one block away on a cute, old street. I immediately noticed that everyone, even in shops, greet you in English to begin with. And everyone is super friendly, I have yet to meet someone who hasn't smiled and started a conversation, such a happy city (and not just because of the legalized substances).
Michael, the front desk guy who checked me in, pulled out a map of the city and started to circle all the things I should do. He's an expat from Philly who came here for vacation 25 years ago and decided to stay, and talked my ear off for about 10 minutes. After getting settled in my room (it was around 3:30) I decided to head out and check things off of the list that Michael gave me. (And Gijs and Simona too!)
Talk about happy people everywhere! It was a beautiful day and the start of a 3 day weekend (Monday is a public holiday) and people were out everywhere. Every street/canal side cafe was filled and groups of drunken British stag and hen parties dressed up in outrageous outfits stumbled around (think Jane Fonda circa 1980 for one group and a large inflatable penis worn by the bachelor for the other). Little boats filled with people traveled up and down the canals, just hanging out, the Dutch equivalent of a picnic.
I found my way to a medieval little courtyard with one of the only two still standing timber houses in the city, and admired the beautiful flowers at the Floating Flower Market. There were so many bulbs I would have loved to have taken home, but I know if I did I'd probably end up in trouble with the customs agent. Then it was off to weave my way around the De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets), getting away from the main area and loud partiers. The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous architecture. The buildings are all different, so narrow and tiny and impeccably maintained. Flower boxes were in the windows, and I loved being able to peek in open curtains. There were cute cafes lining the streets, boutique shops, and nice looking restaurants. But I just wanted to be near the water. Which isn't a problem with canals everywhere.
After a Thai curry for dinner, which tasted so good after all the heavy, rich french food, I took an hour long canal tour. What a great way to see the city, learn a bit about the history and most of all get my bearings for where I was and what the city was all about. After mapping out my plan of attack for the next day, I got into bed thinking, for only a few hours I sure did a lot!
Well, if that was a lot, then not sure what Saturday was! According to Fitbit I'm an overachiever and managed to walk about 9 miles around the city. But don't worry, I'll save you every detail of those 20000 steps for my next post . :-)
Michael, the front desk guy who checked me in, pulled out a map of the city and started to circle all the things I should do. He's an expat from Philly who came here for vacation 25 years ago and decided to stay, and talked my ear off for about 10 minutes. After getting settled in my room (it was around 3:30) I decided to head out and check things off of the list that Michael gave me. (And Gijs and Simona too!)
Talk about happy people everywhere! It was a beautiful day and the start of a 3 day weekend (Monday is a public holiday) and people were out everywhere. Every street/canal side cafe was filled and groups of drunken British stag and hen parties dressed up in outrageous outfits stumbled around (think Jane Fonda circa 1980 for one group and a large inflatable penis worn by the bachelor for the other). Little boats filled with people traveled up and down the canals, just hanging out, the Dutch equivalent of a picnic.
I found my way to a medieval little courtyard with one of the only two still standing timber houses in the city, and admired the beautiful flowers at the Floating Flower Market. There were so many bulbs I would have loved to have taken home, but I know if I did I'd probably end up in trouble with the customs agent. Then it was off to weave my way around the De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets), getting away from the main area and loud partiers. The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous architecture. The buildings are all different, so narrow and tiny and impeccably maintained. Flower boxes were in the windows, and I loved being able to peek in open curtains. There were cute cafes lining the streets, boutique shops, and nice looking restaurants. But I just wanted to be near the water. Which isn't a problem with canals everywhere.
After a Thai curry for dinner, which tasted so good after all the heavy, rich french food, I took an hour long canal tour. What a great way to see the city, learn a bit about the history and most of all get my bearings for where I was and what the city was all about. After mapping out my plan of attack for the next day, I got into bed thinking, for only a few hours I sure did a lot!
Well, if that was a lot, then not sure what Saturday was! According to Fitbit I'm an overachiever and managed to walk about 9 miles around the city. But don't worry, I'll save you every detail of those 20000 steps for my next post . :-)
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