Netherlands
This year was my fourth visit to Netherland
and each time, I come back with a different impression about it. The first time was when I was still in high school and we took a field trip there. It was amazing because when you are a teenager Netherland
sounds like the best place in the world due to its liberality.
Later
on I visited Netherland again with my friends. Three adventure girls in a big
city’s…it was fun but a little bit frightening at
the same time. The third time was “the queen’s day” time. I can say it was
unforgettable even though I don’t remember that much of the actual
day/night.
And now it was all like before but in smaller
doses…less queen’s dayish and less frightening. It was mostly cold and crowded but
still fun.
Let’s put the liberal politics aside
because Netherland is much more than that. In spring time Netherland is covered
with tulips and if you draw a little windmill here and there you get a
really nice countryside picture. We visited one old windmill that was used as a brewery. It is a nice place for people to mingle and I really liked their beer. It's not just some beer that you can buy everywhere...it's original.
Nowadays
the old windmills are replaced by a new wind turbines which can be found on the
land or out on the sea. Given that Netherland is pretty windy, this is a good way to get energy and supply households with
electricity.
Dutch architecture is impressive as
well, even though I’m not the kind of person that would stare into a building
and try to think in which time was build, I must say it was the first time
on my trips that I was really blown away by the architecture. They have
really good sense of putting together old traditional and new modern buildings.
Maybe some architect wouldn’t agree with me but hey! I’m just an amateur trying to be smart. What
I found fascinating was that it didn’t bother me to see all those modern skyscrapers and crazy buildings combined with typical Dutch houses, because all
those different styles seem to get along.
What about bikes? Yes, it’s great that
people are environmentally friendly and it’s also fast way to get around for
instance in city like Amsterdam. But for those who are not used to heavy
cycling (as in aggressive or survival of the fittest kind of a way), this way of transport might be pretty stressful. Since there is plenty other bikers that you have
to watch out, people walking (locals and lost travelers that are spinning
around with their maps), tramlines which are also a bit
tricky for bike wheels and of course trams and cars. So, be careful!
It's nice to take a
walk by the canals and there is always something happening on the Dam square-the
main square which is usually full of people. You can relax in one
of their parks and maybe enjoy their delicious “stroopwafels”. Amsterdam is great shopping place, but
if it’s possible don’t go shopping on Thursday
or Saturday …it’s like a battlefield for clothes there. Night
life…I think it’s safe to say that variety of clubs, bars and coffeeshops can satisfy
any lost soul.
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| Dam Square |
I can now start crossing over the bucket list…it starts with number 12. I got the tulip in Netherland, it is wooden but it counts.
