Based on my experience and interactions, the first thing that is associated with Amsterdam is weed and the Red Light District comes in a close second. Rest of the things are barely mentioned in conversations or mostly ignored. Of course, what could possibly top legal marijuana at every corner. The off-beat travel blogs will talk about things-to-do which are not “touristy”, providing a laundry list of activities that any traveler passing Amsterdam should do. “Visit the cheese museum in Zaanse Schans”, “Eat fresh oysters/waffles/whatever at the local market” etc. While all these are great, I feel a true Amsterdam experience is short-changed.
I can count on one hand the number of cities I have lived/stayed in, so my perception is extremely limited to my experience, but whatever image I have of an ideal city, Amsterdam comes very close.
It goes without saying how incredibly magnificent the whole city is. The neatly lined houses, no more than a few storeys high, with the omnipresent canals meandering through the city and the vast amount of parks and greenery, makes me feel that I am in the middle of a beautiful poem. I have not been here for years, just a few months actually, and everyday I am reminded of the beauty that surrounds me and seemingly it is something I cannot get enough of.
There are other beautiful cities in Europe. No questions. Infact, a popular meme which depicts how extremely alike a lot of the major european cities are is not very far from the truth. But “beauty” is only one of the few aspects of why Amsterdam is such a great city to be in.
One of the greatest attributes of Amsterdam is its friendliness. And in more ways than one. The dutch city is English-friendly, making it very easy to travel or immigrate to without facing any language issues, which are always present in other European cities (I am speaking as an international non-european immigrant who speaks English). All the shops, cafes and local establishments cater to people who cannot speak Dutch. This makes travel (or moving) to Amsterdam a seamless experience. And it is not limited to travel and tourism. It is an incredible place to work with tremendous opportunities with not only the big names like Booking, Netflix, Tesla, Philips, Nike etc. who have the EU HQ here, but also in upcoming, well funded startups owing to a great entrepreneurial culture. There is little surprise to see a booming expat population in Amsterdam, which boasts of representation from over 170 countries. All of this is not by accident, as there has been a concerted effort by the government to create a business hub full of job opportunities and making it very easy for the immigrant population to settle here(expat-friendly as it is known commonly) while simultaneously maintaining the pristine nature of the city.
One of the biggest advantages of being in a city with such a huge and diverse expat population is that you are around great international food all the time. In Amsterdam you can eat some great food from Thailand to Suriname, and all at a very reasonable price. The sheer variety of cuisines that I have seen and tried here pales in comparison to other places that I have been. Sure there are great restaurants and take-outs everywhere, but on average the variety and quality of food in Amsterdam is second-to-none. As the city is very small, one could bike to the other of the city in about 30-40 mins, all of the food places, both restaurants and take-aways as well as international grocery stores, are easily accessible. And because of the small size of the city, it is very easy to discover new places, without having to venture out like an explorer. Even grocery shopping is a great experience as there are both great local and international options to shop from, all just a biking distance away.
A tourist visiting Amsterdam and not venturing outside of the city centre will not be able to appreciate how much of a biking culture Amsterdam has. I was exactly that tourist. During my first visit to Amsterdam, I spent two days exploring the city centre, as most people do. While the city centre is incredible, it hides away one of the best parts of Amsterdam. People bike everywhere: to work, school, gym, restaurants and whatever you can imagine. For children who can not yet bike, the parents carry them in cute little seats mounted in front or at the back of the bike. For people with more than one child, the “bakfiet”, a bike retrofitted with a small carriage in front, big enough to fit 2-3 kids, comes in handy. The bike lanes are present everywhere, complete with their traffic signals and road signs. Whether it is a truck or a car, everyone stops for the bikes. Anyway, there are very few ways of driving a bike in a reckless manner, and in a place where almost everyone follows the rules, biking is one the safest and fastest ways of commuting in Amsterdam. Even though the public transportation system consisting of buses and trams is supremely well connected, most of the population prefers using the bike, come rain, hail or, on rare occasions, snow! The dutch are incredibly adept at using the bike to its full potential, as I have been witness to people carrying big suitcases, furniture, bags, plants, even pets on their bikes, and looking great all the while.
Even though I already mentioned how pretty the city is, I can not really get enough of the parks and the greenery here . One of my favorite parts about Amsterdam is its green cover. Not only its streets are lined with trees, but also there are several big parks around the city not counting the countless mini-parks that exist around neighbourhoods which serve as picnic, workout or hangout spots. The greenery and the canals make you feel that you are always close to nature, while living in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
Ever since school, I have never been in a culture or a community where fitness and health are cornerstones of lifestyle. Although there have always been a few people who adopted a wholesome lifestyle, the examples were always few and far between. Examples of people who focus on their health and wellness were few and far between. However, in Amsterdam, the people are extremely health oriented and it is possible to find a community based on a wide range of interests. There is a super high density of gyms, yoga, pilates, and multipurpose fitness studios across the city. There are open gyms spread across the city, which are used extensively and are usually very busy. Abundance of running tracks, trails and pedestrian friendly roads make it extremely easy for people who like running. What I find really remarkable that this active lifestyle is followed by people from all age-groups and genders. From the 60 year-olds crushing a pull-up workout at the open gym to pregnant women swinging kettlebells in the park to 10 year-olds running track, there is motivation and inspiration everywhere. The dutch lifestyle, as I have come to know, seeks to be as natural as possible, avoiding medicines and other such affiliated practices. I have been trying to follow routines and habits which enable me to live healthier, and here in Amsterdam I see inspiration all around me making me push myself to be better everyday.
It is really fascinating to be in a city like this, where it amazes me everyday. I am fortunate enough to have stayed here during the “lockdown” and it has made me appreciate the smaller things a lot more. I have come to value the golden sunsets, the clean air, the greenery, the friendly people and the calm vibe of the city. As I write this, I know my stint in Amsterdam is going to be a short-lived one. But I am glad that I was able to, even for a short while, call this place home.
