The Story Behind the Travel Photo: Just Passing Through Amsterdam
- Feb 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 24
We always see more than one city and/or country when we travel to Europe: like many savvy travelers know, it's efficient and economical. Fly into one country or city and back out another and take advantage of the marvelous trains that you can use in between.
Such was the case when we visited The Netherlands and France, or more specifically, Amsterdam and France.
Amsterdam is on many traveler's list and I can tell you, it will not be my last time. The charms of the city is fascinating, old world, modern and bohemian at the same time. Some visit to see the house of Anne Frank, some want to see a few tulips, some wonder if there really is a red light district and others want to explore the liberal laws of recreational medicine. I most certainly did not do the last two but the others and more were on my list to do.
So why was my trip so brief if my list was so long? Well, we did not make Amsterdam the main focus of the trip. It was merely a stop on the way to Paris. But that was OK. The next trip will focus on The Netherlands and Brussels (...and maybe a side trip to Paris).
We landed early in the morning, as we normally do, since we always take a late night flight from New York so that we can early in the morning at our destination (The NYC Traveler Tip for Your Trip). I had already researched about where to store our luggage on our arrival since our apartment would not be ready that early. But I had also texted our rental host to tell them that we were here and to let us know when to meet them for the keys (but no rush). We stored our luggage right at the train station in Amsterdam (which is how we got to downtown). It was so convenient: the train station is right at the airport.
We grabbed what we would need for a few hours and set off on foot to explore the area. It was chilly and throughout our time there we had snow showers and cold rain. It was barely mid morning, but it was snack time: authentic Belgium French Fries in Amsterdam! And I already like them Belgium style: with mayo instead of ketchup. People give me weird looks in the USA because I don't like ketchup but I fit right in here!
After snack, it's time to stroll. I learn a great lesson about taking pictures of everything because you never know if something won't be there the next anymore. For example, the "I Am Amsterdam" sign in front of the Rijksmuseum was torn down back in 2018. Apparently, it got a little too popular and was creating havoc in that area. Similar type signs sometime make guest appearances there and other places, but I'm glad I got to take that photo.
Amsterdam is a great place for beer lovers. The Heineken Experience was a lot of fun, even though I don't drink beer! At the end of the tour, which takes you through the complete process literally from the fields to the glass, you learn how to pour beer into a glass properly. How amusing is it that I was the best bartender in my group and I don't even like beer.
We did have fun, but part of traveling for me is to experience some culture or to explore somewhere historical. We knew we didn't have time to go to any art museums, which was a shame because I'm a huge Van Gogh fan, but we chose to go to the Anne Frank House. No photos are allowed while you are inside, possibly to preserve the dignity of the location, but it is a very moving experience. I was in elementary school when we had to read the book. I was still not knowledgeable about the Holocaust: that was the way we learned about it. As I read the book, I really thought she would survive and that she was editing the diary as an adult. I was extremely sad as a 9 year old to read she did not survive. Those memories came back to me while touring the house where she and her family hid out. This experience is definitely not to be missed.
As with the rest of Europe, throughout Amsterdam, look for other historical plaques, signs and locations from its vast history. But watch the traffic. And I don't mean the cars, but the bicycles. Cycling is king here. It's a main method of travel. And these people mean business. The bikes really do have the right of way. You have to move for them, they are not moving or stopping for pedestrians. This was definitely a turnaround in our way of thinking coming from a country where pedestrians not only have the right of way, but major cities are lowering their speed limits and creating vehicle free areas to make their locations friendlier to walk around in. Not here. Not only do you have to watch out for bikes, but you have to make sure you don't fall into a canal...
Venice is not the only city in the world where canals are part of the urban landscape. There are other cities that have canals as major modes of transport, but Amsterdam must rank right up there at the top. It was fun to see small motorboats parked outside of houses. There was usually a street near each canal, so you didn't have to worry about falling off the sidewalk, but the canals were there. We didn't get a chance to ride in a boat or ferry to experience it because most of our sightseeing was in walking distance of our apartment.
And that leads me to our rental. It was charming. It was comfortable. It was economical. And it was on the top floor. So, what? No elevator. OK, that's been done before. Up 3 flights of the narrowest, steepest staircase I had ever seen. Clearly, I did not do my homework about the narrow houses of Amsterdam. We really felt like locals. No wonder our host for the apartment insisted on meeting us in person rather than leaving the keys inside like most people do.
Many houses have a code that you use to buzz into the front main door and then your keys are normally left for you in an envelope. I just thought our host was being extra gracious. He carried our bags up the stairs and showed us how to bring them down when it was time to leave. He was right to do so. It's an art form to bring packages in and out. But between those stairs and all of the walking, I didn't gain any vacation weight!
So, what about the other famous or infamous reasons why people visit Amsterdam. Before I get into that, let's just say that this city deserves more to be known for its great museums, its place in history and the beautiful urbanscape of canals, bike lanes and lovely buildings that for its red light district and coffee houses. It certainly should be celebrated for putting certain issues in a legal sense to take control of the situation rather than fighting them. We had a chance to chat with locals and their perspective on the coffee houses and the red light district is a whole lot different than where we come from. By controlling the situation and making some situations legal, there is actually less crime, more compliance with the law and they said that people behave themselves. They don't want to lose their privileges, so people self-moderate their own behavior. Imagine that. And although I didn't indulge, because that's not my thing, I totally respected their point of view.
As for the tulips: yes there were some. We didn't get to go out to the suburbs or farms, but they were there (even though it was a cold and rainy couple of April days).
So yeah, I really want to go back and visit. I love the vibe, enjoyed chatting with the locals, and liked sightseeing throughout the central part of Amsterdam.
Live Love Travel
The NYC Traveler Presents Tips for Your Trips
Subscribe to our blog!
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
Comments