After what felt like a very long flight, I finally made it to Amsterdam. The weather was beautiful when our group arrived so we were able to walk in Oosterpark and explore other streets near our hostel. That beautiful weather quickly turned into thunderstorms, but it was nice to get outside in the sun for a while. Walking down the canals and seeing all the houses was my favorite part of the day. It was incredible to see a windmill in the middle of the city! However, I had to make sure not to get too distracted while walking because the bikers here do not mess around. It feels like I am more likely to get hit by a bike rather than a car. One of the kind citizens of Amsterdam even gave me a very friendly reminder to watch where I was walking.
For dinner I ate steak and broccolini, which wasn’t very different from an American meal. However, the potatoes that came with the dish were unlike any I’ve had before. They were layered in a very pretty pattern and it showed that there was a lot of care put into the dish. The restaurants in Amsterdam are obsessed with Heineken and there are signs for it on almost every block. I figured this would be the case since it is originally from the Netherlands. If I had to compare it with anything in America it is similar to how people from Philadelphia are obsessed with Rocky. There are other small stores located around the city that are within walking distance from the hostel. I am most excited to check out a vintage store to see how their vintage clothes differ from the US.
Public transportation and the layout of the city are very different here than in America. Many people in Amsterdam don’t use their car to get around and either choose to bike, walk, or take another form of public transportation. The city feels so fresh and is home to beautiful parks and nature. Many residents/restaurants have ivy or plants hanging outside of their balcony which is something that is not commonly seen in any US city. I am excited to explore more of Amsterdam for the rest of the evening!