5+1 things I’ve learnt in Amsterdam

It was noon, during late August, when I made my trip to the “country of tulips”, the Netherlands, to start my Masters at the University of Amsterdam. After the first days passed, and the first daily phone calls with the family (“Yes, all right … Yes, I ate … Yes, alive I am, do not worry”) were made, I began to realize several things about the city that would be my base for coming months, which are summarized below.

1) There is a greater chance to be hit by a bike than car. Amsterdam can be hostile to pedestrians, but not because of cars. Bicycles are everywhere and serve everyone. The bike paths are designed to lead to any point of the city.The Dutch people are used to it, but for me it was a bit unusual -the first time at least-,  to see whole families riding their bikes together, mothers with their baby in a special seat on the bike or well-dressed people going to their job pedaling.

2) Amsterdam is a multicultural city and probably the only one  that is so known worldwide for its  freedoms. People from every corner of the Earth, from every race, nationality and religion have walked either briefly or for longer its streets. When you ask for directions for a route, it is likely that the person is tourist who would not know. After the first five attempts though, perhaps you will find someone local.

3) Did friends suddenly pop on a Sunday evening, and you have nothing to treat them to? No need to worry! Some super markets are open until 10 pm, including weekends. The only negative? While the whole city speaks English, staff in super market, show (at least to me) a preference to insist their replies in Dutch, despite my repeated “Excuse me?”. Sometimes, around third or fourth attempt, perhaps they will answer in English.

4) Tulips and windmills are only found on postcards. I know that when thinks of the Netherlands, immediately meadows, tulips and mills come to mind (and maybe something else …ahem…) but you won’t find them in the capital. “If you want to see the real Nethedlands” -two Dutch people told me- “you must go out of Amsterdam.” So I went. They were right.

5) It has museums for everything. Apart from usual museums with paintings and sculptures like the ones you will find in every big city, there are also smaller museums for literally everything. Torture museum, sex museum, museum of floating houses, handbag museum, diamond museum, marihuana museum and cat museum (!) are some of them.

Bonus

+1) There is a particularly popular snack called stroopwafel. It is reminiscent of a biscuit, but is very crisp and stuffed with syrup. Also it is responsible for any extra weight I will be bringing when I get back.

To text is reposted from e.MME.is.