Day 1 in the Netherlands was a success!
We arrived in Amsterdam early in the morning and headed to our hotel with our chaperone, Brian. He introduced us to the metro system, one of the city’s most popular and efficient ways to get around. Compared to Pittsburgh, Amsterdam’s public transportation felt incredibly accessible and easy. After dropping off our luggage, we hopped back on the metro to start a scavenger hunt through center city. Along the way, we got a taste of Amsterdam’s distinct architecture, its diverse population, and what it truly means for a city to be walkable. Highlights of the scavenger hunt included seeing St. Nicholas’ basilica, exploring narrow streets, and eating outside with locals at Noordermarkt. Although I’m sure we very clearly stood out as American tourists, the Dutch made us feel very welcomed. To top it all off, my group, De Koningen, won the scavenger hunt in record time (shoutout Gary).
By far my favorite part of day was seeing the sheer number of canals winding through the city. With sunny weather and temperatures in the 70s, it was the perfect day to watch locals take their boats out on the water. It made the city feel so lively.
Later in the evening, we returned to the city center for our welcome dinner that consisted of a traditional Dutch sausage and mashed potatoes dish. Compared to the United States, Dutch portions are noticeably smaller, and their drinks are almost exclusively low or zero in calories and sugar – no free refills either 🙁 . Additionally, the food felt much lighter and less processed than what I’m used to back in the states. The ingredients were simpler and you could tell less oil and grease were used. I’d say it’s definitely a noticeable shift from the heavy, fried foods I enjoy back home, but it made me realize and appreciate how the Dutch focus their meals around balance and moderation.
My biggest takeaway from today is how transportation in Amsterdam directly reflects its commitment to sustainability. In just the few hours we walked around, we saw hundreds of people commuting by bike, and very few cars on the roads. It was amazing to see what a city designed for people, and not cars, looks like in practice.