Reflections on the Netherlands

I’ve returned home after a week of exploring and I’m laying in my pajamas from a sinus infection that I blame on the tulip fields and heavy smoking in Amsterdam. In hindsight maybe I should have wore my mask since the smell of grass burns my nose, but you live, you learn.

The Netherlands is a diverse land not just geographically but socially. Amsterdam was similar to New York City (I guess that is why is was called New Amsterdam when the Dutch settled there) because its land was originally marshy, soggy bottoms that they dried out through a strategically placed network of windmills and dams to expand their land.

The city of Amsterdam has stopped expanding their land, but now are building large hotels, venues, and restaurants along the seaport where cruise ships come and go daily. This could be the start of a riverboat cruise through Germany or a stopping point on a European cruise north to the Nordic countries or south to the Mediterranean.

Amsterdam at one time was the fourth most visited city in all of Europe and it’s easy to see why. It has a little of everything to do.

Museums – plenty.

Restaurants – so many to choose.

Parks and Natural Beauty – some.

History – Loads.

There is something for everyone.

As I walked through the streets of Amsterdam I didn’t get a Venice vibe. I got more of a Paris feeling. I felt like the canal was reminiscent of the Seine River (just the canal was much smaller) with the cars passing by and over the bridges. In Venice it’s easy to get lost with their maze of streets, but Amsterdam is a traditional town with mostly a block layout of roads. I enjoyed traveling to Paris, but it wasn’t my favorite city. And that is how I feel with Amsterdam.

It’s a beautiful city, but I prefer the small villages and charming communities than the hustle bustle of a metropolitan.

Amsterdam in itself is very diverse. The city is stockpiled with young adults biking everywhere in their designer outfits. It seemed like almost everywhere I looked the people could be on the cover of a magazine. I’m not into fashion, but I could tell by the way these people dressed, fashion is important. You could see the glamorous and then in the same group of people a grungy styled person sipping coffee. It is a hodgepodge of fabrics and textures meshed together to create a work of art for themselves.

The city has a quieter tone in some parts. In some of the off-beaten routes where tourists rarely find themselves since no restaurants or souvenir shops clutter the area.

It’s here you can reflect. Close your eyes and step back in time. Imagine yourself during the Nazi occupation. Consider what you would do? Go back further in time when painting masters lined the streets with their easels and paint. Creating the masterpieces we see today. Go back further when this land was sending off explorers to embark on the nautical exploration or even journeying to the Far East and returning with spices and tulip bulbs.

You can see glimpses of the old when walking along the streets of Amsterdam or driving out of the city to the rural life. Searching for old styled windmills in the flower fields that may possibly still be in use today with their differing types of sails.

You can shop in stores that have been making their keep for centuries. Eat at restaurants or cafes that originated some of the best known dishes we eat today. Drink a beer at one of the many breweries throughout the land.

We all know of the story of Anne Frank, but what about the other stories that were never written. There were other people hiding and risking their lives for fact of doing good in a ruthless time. One is the story of Corrie Ten Boom in Haarlem. But once again, there are stories that will never be told. But they are there to imagine along the cobbled streets.

Amsterdam is liberal with their legalization of recreational marijuana that can be purchased anywhere. And I mean anywhere.

Want a pot brownie in a shop. Done.

Want some in your cotton candy. We got that.

What about a cookie. Here you go.

Or you can just buy the leaves and smoke it.

Or the famed red light district where one’s wildest fantasies can be lived out if one is willing. Yes, Amsterdam is not your typical city in this perspective, but they don’t cram it down your throat.

No one approached me for sales. I never felt unsafe. I never felt in harms way. I hardly saw any police vehicles. Yet, everyone seemed fine.

I may not partake in their ways, but it didn’t hinder me when they did. I just tried to hold my breath a little more than normal.

Yes, the Netherlands was diverse and that is a good thing. To see the new art, which I don’t prefer, but it may inspire someone to try it. To the enjoy the old world, which I love. The slower life. The simplicity.

Yes, I don’t regret taking this journey.

I may return again.

There definitely are some other stories to learn from, we just have to search for them.

Peace

__ATA.cmd.push(function() { __ATA.initDynamicSlot({ id: 'atatags-26942-626fc4ea758f7', location: 120, formFactor: '001', label: { text: 'Advertisements', }, creative: { reportAd: { text: 'Report this ad', }, privacySettings: { text: 'Privacy', onClick: function() { window.__tcfapi && window.__tcfapi( 'showUi' ); }, } } }); });