Travel Talk

24 Hours in Amsterdam

amsterdam canals with boats

Good day,

Lots to say but this is a quick recount of a possible first 24 hours here, something maybe YOU could expect if you showed up at random with light luggage and no plans on a Friday night.

Amsterdam has a really laid back feel and plenty of bikes. Starting to think North America is the only place where people don’t drive old school bikes as city commuters. Bikes are everywhere and 93.6% are old school style.

amsterdam rooftops

If you’re showing up on a weekend, booking your hotel ahead of time may not be the worst idea, especially if you’re looking for one of the famous / guide book mentioned locals. From my experience, almost everywhere hotel around Central Station was booked and this other area whose name I can’t remember to pronounce, let alone spell.

On the topic of accommodations, met a guy on the train who informed that ~1 stop from C. station you can rent small bachelors or whatever they are called for like ~500 euro and are quite decent but obviously small. If staying longer than say a week it just makes cents, faster you get on it the better if you plan on staying.

amsterdam hippies smoking

After arriving at 11pm and ~ 2 days into traveling, took a train in from the airport and ended up in the other area after meeting some ladies at the tram station. I told them where I was going, so were they to a party. Take a bus for 3.50 and this was the shortest ride ever, now know why there are so many bikes. They give me the address and I leave to look for a hotel. Found about 8 hotels, all full.

At the BK the security guard offers to store my pack after I ask if he could watch it for a second. Now that I’m free I go to a club and enjoy some cocktails until it closes. The music was great and it had more of a house party like feel to it and a strong skunky smell.

Amsterdam hotels

I go to a coffee shop for breakfast but it is closed. 6am to 10 am is like dead man’s land here, nothing going on, anywhere. I wander the street and take photos until I make my way to Dam Square. Ask a group if I’m there, they inform me yes. I then proceed with them towards an area where you could have a coffee type a place. They live near there. We hang out for a bit and I go on my way. This area is right next / in the Red Light District.

At ~7am it’s a weird mix of people out and about. It was quite cold and not too many unfortunate enough to have to be outside, there, then. From pushers to prostitutes to guys fresh from a bachelor party and shop keepers opening their shops without forgetting about some random women inside window fronts. Most of the women you see in those infamous windows are old and decrepit.

Amsterdam everybody welcome

After some guy tries to sell me his new CD as part of a “limited time only” street promotion, run into this group of Spanish girls who are going for coffee, go with them. Coffee shop closed, a friend knows the guy who lives above it and with that, going into this after party with my new friends.

After some time the party dissipates to just myself, the Spanish ladies plus another of their friends and a guy from Sweden. The guys roommate left at 10am and we proceed to his place right across from Central Station.

Amsterdam alley

A lot of different beverages were consumed, there is this one black can that says 12% on it. It tastes like vomit, like you’re actually drinking strained vomit.

Hang out until late afternoon, after walk about find first place and ask for a room? It’s on the top floor of this old building with a staircase of death. The reception guy says I can leave bag in the lobby but it had 4 shady characters and decided to carry.

Amsterdam stair case of death

I tell him if I don’t come down it means I’m taking it. This is also a good way to avoid giving your contacts or passport to some shady hotel. You come down later, maybe even in the morning, just pay and leave…

Amsterdam is a very fun city, recommended.

P.S: We’re already in “high season” for hotels, might as well let the thermostat rise to catch those rates.

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