Great for: Food. Walking, we love walking, in fact we walk almost everywhere when we visit a country. Walking gives the best chance of an authentic experience no matter the country. We typically carry some drinks, a bit of food and a small first aid kit for our walks because you never know right.
Bad for: Cash! We have visited Amsterdam at least 3 times now and rarely ever have bad experiences. One time though I was trying to pay for food in a restaurant, and a 50 Euro note got caught in the zip and tore about a third down the width. Now although we had some other money on us, we were on a bit of a budget so yes 50 Euro would have gone a long way to dinner or lunch. It seemed that no matter where we tried to use it, it kept getting rejected. Much as we tried to use this 50 Euro note no body wanted it and guess what?… even the bank rejected it because banks in Amsterdam do not accept cash. Yes Amsterdam is very fast becoming a cashless society. Now you can get money out, but they make sure you spend your money because there is no putting it back in the bank.
Love: Architecture, Canals, Museums, Trams. The trams can be a bit confusing trying to cross the road especially at Grand Centraal Station, so watch yourself and don’t get run over.
Best memory: So one time my husband and I were getting to know each other as new boyfriend and girlfriend leaving Amsterdam at the Airport on the way home. We had made it in good time, and gone through security and were now sitting in the departure lounge. We sat down just by the screen showing the boarding times. And then the conversations started. We just kept talking and talking, it seemed as though time was non existent. We got deeper and deeper into laughter and conversation the more he gazed into my eyes. So at one point I looked at the clock, remembering that our flight was scheduled to leave at 1.20 pm. Guess what the time was…….? 1.20 pm on the actual dot. So he looked at me, I looked at him. The horror slowly seeping into our hearts.
Understand we were on a strict budget to spend only what we had come with and not spend any more so missing this flight was NOT an option to even tolerate. It was also the eve of my birthday so I had to make it home to be with my family. All I remember is running…. the flippin little carry on suitcase I was carrying seemed to be dragging me back. As we kept encouraging one another and lying to one another that they couldn’t leave without us because we were already through security, I almost wished the little suitcase would turn into some kind of a bike. Why do they even put Stansted Airport planes at the very end of the gates? Sweating. Out of breath. Hot. We finally made it to the gate. There it was, the plane, still there, and the boarding assistants still there, a sigh of relief seemed to cool me down a bit.
‘Sir, ma’am, I’m afraid you’ve missed the flight now because they have already closed the doors and are getting ready for take off.’ Sorry what?? Yes it was too late.
Of course we begged.Of course we went to the airline desk. We tried everything. You can imagine the phone call to my mother and father. Explaining that I had missed my flight home from Amsterdam with some guy they barely knew and most importantly, some guy who wasn’t even my husband and I was about to spend another night with before getting married.
As we got on the train back in to Amsterdam Centraal, embarrassed to even look at each other properly, bemused and in disbelief. I was slightly happy that we could spend another night in Amsterdam, and best of all, my actual birthday there. Talk about bitter-sweet. Rest assured, we were first on the plane when the time came to go home.
Reflection: Amsterdam was a bit of a healing place for me, it is the place I first went to as an adult to specifically be adventurous. It is the place I started to see the signs of depression and a true lack of confidence in myself, especially the first time we went. As we continued going, I kept using Amsterdam to reflect and stretch my confidence. At some point while there, I came to the realisation that I needed some kind of counselling. I had God inside me, but I needed to process internal hurt with a professional. Never be afraid to seek help.
Super Apple 