Amsterdam

To do this weekend to Amsterdam justice, I feel I'm going to have to either write an extremely long post, or cover it in pieces. Probably the later, because I am still recuperating from walking around that crazy city and traveling, I need sleep. I feel that the city would have been more manageable if we'd been able to go at our own pace, and hadn't been given so many set times to be places. It was a combination of not having enough free rein (being raced around), and the feeling of being abandoned and left to fend for ourselves. In the end I enjoyed walking around and exploring in small groups or by myself, more than racing from dam square to this museum or that museum as a huge group. The hurry up and wait thing is very tiring. So I will try to distill the city a little for anyone who may be reading this, and for myself. The city, when not being rushed around it, when one actually is able to stop, and pause the bustle and chaos is in a way beautiful. There are of course elements that are not.

On a bridge in Amsterdam, one of the canals

Basically it is a city made up of bikes, canals, narrow brick buildings, museums, coffee shops, and the redlight district.

What one is most in danger of walking through the city is getting hit by a bicycle. These aren't motorbikes, though I saw a few of those, so one would think the bikers would be more careful because chances are if they hit a pedestrian they're going down too. But no they ride like maniacs. If they were to swerve around, they'd end up getting hit by a car or tram on some streets.

What is amazing is that everyone gets around riding bikes. There are bikes parked everyone, it's such a busy and crowded city that it's hard to park a bike, let alone a car. (Saw one of those parked on the side walk and cars in the Netherlands are small). Catch a ride with a friend on a bike, no problem. Have three kids, no problem add seats, and not those trailer things that you pull, they'd never work in a city like this. If there's a cart on the bike it's in the front between the handlebars and the front wheel. Talk on the phone while biking, that's cool the pedestrians will jump out of the way especially when you ring the bell.




There are some very narrow houses, they were taxed by the width. This red brick one is the narrowest, it's like meter wide, talk about claustrophobic rooms. Well that is a brief introduction, I've barely looked through my photos, and barely scratched the surface of this hectic weekend, but I really do need to sleep. So later, more on Amsterdam.