Adventures With Amy | Europe 2002: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Europe 2002: Amsterdam

Map of Amsterdam

The overnight flight landed at Schiphol Airport, just 11 miles (18 kilometers) outside Amsterdam, around 6:30AM local time. I had decided before the trip that I would take a train from the airport into Amsterdam. Taking a train into Amsterdam, I arrived at Centraal Station on the north side of Amsterdam and the adventure began . . .

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Walking with a map in hand, from the train station, I headed toward the Golden Tulip Doelen on Nieuwe Doelenstraat. I had made the reservation for this hotel before the trip. This is a very nice hotel that is conveniently located.

It quickly became apparent that the sidewalks, the streets and the tram tracks were pretty much all the same! It was interesting to see all the street sweepers (with actual brooms) out early in the morning clearing all the garbage in front of the stores. Just a word of caution, many of the sidewalks are stone or brick . . . it makes it difficult to roll a suitcase.

Being so early in the morning, I could only walk around and see what Amsterdam had to offer. Never having seen a city of canals before, I was very impressed with the layout of Amsterdam. There are many pedestrian bridges to accomodate crossing the canals. Interestingly, the 110+ canals are man-made. The canals were originally built to defend Amsterdam but now carry many tourists. Many of the canals are lined with house-boats for some Amsterdam residents.

The weather was cool and damp on this particular morning in May. Vondelpark Park (see photo) extends over several hundred acres with bike paths, walking paths, an open-air concert venue, three large outdoor cafes and the Film Museum. Scattered through the park are ponds with swans and ducks, flower gardens, a children's park, a display of farm animals for the kids and acres and acres of fields to play soccer or frisbee. During the 60's and 70's the park became famous as a hippie hangout. Nowadays you'll still see lots of hippies round and the occasional "camper" on warm nights.

Stopping at an Argentinian Steak House (what a strange choice!) for dinner I was surprised to find a cat roaming freely through the restaurant. The cat even approached me (see photo). I think he was interested in my grilled salmon dinner, but did not even take a bite when I offered. Don't tell Oliver he has a twin in Amsterdam.

Not even 09.00 and I am already at the Heineken Brouwery! Unfortunately, the first tour does not begin until 10.00. The self-paced tour costs only €5 and includes 3 Heineken drink tickets and a small Heineken glass in a Heineken tin. You ain't had Heineken until you have had Heineken in Amsterdam! The beer in the brewery and all around town was so crisp, clean, fresh and light! It was nothing like the skunky flavor I have always experienced in the USA. The "official" way to serve Heineken seems to be to rinse the glass, draw the tap and wipe the 'head' from the top of the glass. The Brouwery really does offer some unique attractions for tourists (see photos).

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For all the cultural and historical places that can be found in Amsterdam, it must be remembered there is also another side to Amsterdam that emerges at night. Coffeeshops, as they are called, sell marijuana. Additionally, just beyond The Grasshopper, off Damrak, is the Red Light District. And I had to take a look as long as I was in the area . . . sure enough, the narrow streets and alleys are lined with (mostly) attractive women, scantly clad, and standing in windows with red lightbulbs illuminated.

All train stations have a schedule similar to the photo below. Each schedule shows arriving and departing trains, the train track, and the time. The schedules are usually easy to read. The only issue I found was when one country called a city one name and another called the same city a different name which happened in Germany and Itaty. In that case, just ask for help.

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