Amsterdam is the European Chicago. Well, almost.
Never go in the winter. I experienced a cold I have never felt before. It was so unbearable I bought another North Face. The city has a canal that runs through it so that breeze will leave you helpless at any given moment. My goodness.
What makes it worse is that I had not seen the worst of it. Yikes.
Not a fan of bikers? Stay home. Bikes are EVERYWHERE. The most efficient way to get around is to have a bike. Cars cannot fit in many of the narrow streets. How can anyone find anything? The buildings are so homogeneous I constantly got lost. Ack!
This city is home to the infamous FOAM Amsterdam - one of the most prestigious photography institutions in Europe. I was lucky enough to attend an opening of Lucas Foglia - Human Nature. What a victory if I could have my work exhibited there.
The residents are the most friendly people you will ever meet. I recall visiting a wine store and reviewing a pamphlet in Dutch. The shop owner asks if I wanted him to translate it for me. Repeated visits to retail stores was frustrating as the security bars kept beeping when I entered. One associate said she was concerned for me and asked if she could help. I have never experienced this in the states. Have you?
Everyone speaks English so communication was a breeze. In Germany where cash is king, Amsterdam is all about the plastic.
I took very little photos. Too cold. Not too many people out. No one was standoffish about it but I was taking the time to enjoy my surroundings rather than consistently having a camera in front of my face. I was lucky enough to snap this one:
