Amsterdam

Song of the day: Alone in Kyoto by Air from the Movie motion of Lost in Translation

Amsterdam, Holland is a really cool city where you don’t have any problem to talk to the people even if you don’t speak dutch. My friend Fab has explained me that they have a very low unemployment rate and they are basically missing manpower. That’s why they recruit all over Europe. But by doing that, they can’t expect people to speak dutch as it is a difficult language that isn’t spoken widely. So they have bilingual display everywhere to facilitate the integration of foreigners.

What’s great with the Norther European countries is that they know their language is hard and mostly spoken on their territory so the learning process of English at school is really well developed and good. They are almost all bilingual… Something we should take as an example in our country, we, all poor Frenches who can barely speak another language after our Baccalaureat.

As a result, Amsterdam is easy to visit because there is no language barrier! But, speaking few words of the language of the country you are in is still better as it helps break the ice. Even only salute in the language is good and you can find that in the conversation guide you have in every guide nowadays.

Once you know few words, you can begin to visit. The best way to go from one place to another is the tramway. It’s well developed and it is better to travel overground with the satisfaction of not polluting the air! Another green way is the bicycle. You can rent one everywhere and it is the main mean of transportation even when it rains… 🙂

On rails or on wheels, you will be able to go everywhere and see everything. The other good point of view you can have is from the canals. Boats were the main transport before and the old city is organised around them. You can find some cheap tour that you can do if you have 1:30 to spend on a boat. We were a bit bored at the end but it worth it as you see really nice area and learn a bit about the history of the place.

Another thing that they like other than their bicycle (everybody have one) is the beer. Heineken and Amstel are dutch, you know. And we are reminded everywhere. We went to a grinder that have been converted into a micro brewery. Excelent beer and good spot. You need to go.

Of course, if that is the first time you are going (it wasn’t for me), you should really consider visit the Van Gogh Museum and the Rykjsmuseum. The first one is my favorite. It is new and airy enough to have a good look at the paintings. I love Van Gogh. On some self portrait he looks to much like my father, I am amazed. The Rikksmuseum is also a nice one with all the dutch painters paintings exposed. It is huge but intersting.

The last thing you have to do is go to a coffe shop. I don’t smoke weed but I do know people who does (I am not big brother or the KGB 🙂 but a person with various friends) and these place are usually nice and peaceful.

As a conclusion, I would say that if you want some holidays not too far for a long week end, try Amsterdam. that is a good sized city with enough various stuff to do that you wil always find something to do.

See you soon Fab and Guillaume for a new episode! 😀

All the photos are mine. If you click on them, you will see them bigger. I can send the bigger banner view on request.