Lucky me – the visit to Germany included
a trip to Amsterdam with a colleague. Even more lucky was the fact that the
conference we attended took place on a Thursday and Friday so I had the chance
to stay a night longer and do some sightseeing. I had been in Amsterdam once
before a few years ago so I wasn’t feeling the usual pressure to “see it all” and it was just the perfect setting for a relaxed stopover.
And “relaxed” is the predominant word
that comes to my mind when I think of the Grachten City. Perhaps it’s because
of the constant sweetish smoke that wafts through the streets, perhaps there is
something in the water or perhaps it was just me – but everyone was so relaxed
and energetic at the same time, so good-humoured, friendly and upbeat, it was a
really nice change.
The other adjectives to describe
Amsterdam are, of course, “pretty” and “quaint” and “fascinating” and “full of
interesting things to see”. After taking a one-hour boat tour around the
Grachten with my colleague one evening after the conference, I opted for a
solitary and self-directed walking tour on Friday evening and Saturday.
Especially the Grachtenring west of the city centre with the labyrinth of
small, cobblestoned streets, bridges and canals around Prinsen-, Herren- and
Keizersgracht offered plenty of photo opportunities. I could have strolled
around for hours watching the scenery.
On Friday evening, little boats floated
by with couples taking a romantic Amsterdam-style stroll along the city’s
waterways. But more often the small boats chucked along under the weight of
numerous partygoers, having a drink and a snack while being steered to the next
party location by the designated captain.
Less leisurely and a bit more dangerous
were the Holland bikes which kept zipping by from all directions so I had to
remind myself more than once to carefully check where I was going. Hard to
imagine when you see some of the bikes with their decorative flower garlands or
big baskets that would transport anything from groceries to full-grown Labrador
dogs. But they can really pick up
speed!
A visit to the van Gogh Museum rounded
off the programme for the weekend and then it was time to drive out to the
airport. Not only because my flight was leaving but because the city was
getting ready for a football match between The Netherlands and Ireland.
Everywhere, fans in orange garb were gathering, screens for public viewing were
erected and the bars and pubs were decorating for game night. I am not a big
soccer fan …
But I will definitely go back, even if
it’s only to get another shot at those Pannekoeken.
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