After my first great night of sleep in two days, we started our day with a guided city tour that completely exceeded expectations. Our guide Ian was a local who didn’t just show us around he told us the stories behind the places, the policies, and the people that make Amsterdam what it is today!
One of the first stops was a street that used to house brothels but has now been transformed into a a streets of women owned businesses. Rather than replacing these spaces with fast food chains or trendy franchises that speed up gentrification, the city supported local business owners. It was a creative and very thoughtful way to change the street’s reputation while preserving its true nature. Ian also touched on the political dynamics in the city, particularly the controversies surrounding the Green Party which, while credited with pushing Amsterdam toward sustainability, has recently faced criticism over decisions some residents feel prioritize tourists over locals needs. It added a layer of complexity to how I thought about the city’s green success.
A surprising highlight of the tour was a mini cheese tasting which was easily one of my favorite parts of the day. We learned that Amsterdam is making major efforts toward more sustainable dairy production by using Jersey cows, which require only 7 liters of milk to produce a wheel of cheese, compared to the usual 10 from standard Dutch cows. Not only was the cheese delicious, but knowing it came from a more eco-friendly process made it even better.
Later, we visited Cocoa and Spice for a chocolate tasting that doubled as a introduction in ethical sourcing. While most of the world’s cocoa comes from West Africa we learned that the profits rarely stay there. This shop focuses on bean to bar chocolate made directly in countries like Ghana and the Congo automatically helping local communities retain more of the value. They also work with producers who reject child labor and pay far above the fair trade minimum. It was eye-opening and easily the most thoughtful chocolate I’ve ever tasted!
To close out the day, we took a canal cruise through the city. It was very scenic and it offered a fresh perspective on how Amsterdam was designed to live with water not against it. We passed centuries-old buildings, houseboats, and locals enjoying life on the water. Learning how the canals function both historically and sustainably today made the experience even more meaningful.
On the way back, I stopped at McDonald’s surprisingly one of the most sustainable I’ve ever seen. Reusable cups, compostable packaging, and a commitment to reducing waste made it feel very different from the U.S version that I am very familiar with.
