I love the Dutch. They've always been ahead of the game... So, I am planning a trip to The Netherlands. I would like some advice from you guys as far as: How Much Money To Take For One Week's Stay? Places To Not To Miss? Where To Avoid? Stupid Things Not To Do? How To Learn More About The Culture? Good Coffee Houses? Thanks in advance!
Hehe.. thanks.. no idea what you mean by this but thanks I guess. Don't let Jasonspaceman read that though So, I am planning a trip to The Netherlands. I would like some advice from you guys as far as: Really depends on your lifestyle. You can have a decent hotel for about 60-80 euro a night I think.. but you can also stay in a hostel. Considering your age that might not be an option because of the age limits some have. Also, you can go out for dinner in fancy restaurants every night or buy cheap stuff at a local supermarket.. do you want to visit hookers in the RLD? Do you want to get stoned as hell? Drink Heineken non stop? Hard to say.. but Amsterdam is pretty expensive, as is the rest of the country, so make sure you have enough. Sidenote: Taxi's/cab's are more expensive here than I think most foreigners are used to, so make sure you ask about the price before you get in! Again, depends on what you like. If in Amsterdam, you really should go to the standard places like one of the museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank house), the RLD (because it's sorta unique and special to see, but also because it's the oldest part of Amsterdam and has great architecture), hop into a coffeeshop even if you don't smoke, just for the heck of it (most sell nice juices and tea as well).. visit the Jordaan, another old area with small streets, nice little shops and not totally overrun by tourists. If you like parks, go to the Sarphatipark and go to the oldest market of Amsterdam while you there: Albert Cuyp. Really worthwile, plus also a lot of locals. Vondelpark is ok too, but more a yuppie/tourist park. There are no 'danger' areas.. I'm a young looking girl and I'm ok to go anywhere at any time. Ofcourse I'll avoid big parks in the middle of the night by myself, but that's just common sense DON'T buy drugs of the streets, it's all shady. Try not to look like a total tourist with moneybelt, camera 'round your neck and a map in your hand.. that'll give you a bigger chance of being robbed but more important, it just looks silly .. hehe.. nah, just kidding. Ehm.. don't try swimming in the canals, don't think just because you can buy weed in coffeeshops you can smoke everywhere.. Well.. I guess a good touristguide would be a big help.. but a general google search on the topic of your interest is a good start as well. Kinda depends on what part of the culture you are interested in? There are a few books on typical Dutch behaviour, though I didn't read them myself so no clue if they are close to reality. 'Undutchables' is one of them I think.. google for it. Coffeeshops you mean? Like.. places that sell weed? Or places that are specialised in Coffee? For info on coffeeshops I'd say: talk to NEMISIS and visit is excellent link in his sig. I don't drink coffee so no clue about the places that sell good coffee Ok.. that's about it.. maybe if you are a little bit more specific, I can give a bit more specific answers as well.. feels like I've been very 'general' now See ya 'round!
For a tongue in cheek start read the Holland FAQ: How to treat the Dutch, and how to avoid becoming one at http://www.hollandfaq.cjb.net/ ...less humorous but more informative are the Internet guide to Amsterdam: www.cwi.nl/~steven/amsterdam.html and for coffeeshop reviews www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com
hi libertine -- i don't know if this will help, but last year i wrote down everything i know about being in amsterdam (as a foreigner) at http://www.postwarmedia.nl/amsterdam.html i'm not an expert on amsterdam so you have to take it with a grain of salt, but it does talk about the things i wasn't used to as a foreigner, and how some things here are different from where i came from. love s g collins
That's it sgcollins. I knew I saw something with your name, not a book but a web site. Perhaps you should put a picture in your sig and link it to your site, no infact, do it. If you need any help doing this, let me know, but it's all easy stuff. Bang on stuff, btw, really great insight, very impressed. Graphic design and web design is someting that I've studied and have taught myself too.
I'm in a bit of a hurry so I just skimmed over some of the stuff in your website.. sounds awesome (plus I love the design!).. when I get back I'm definately gonna read it more carefully... and yeah.. put it in your sig!
Hey Libertine, Amsterdam is just a wonderful place to visit... very nice people..always full of good vibes.. just walk Kalverstraat on a saturday.. have a beer in a brown pub(bruine kroeg) walk into the Jordaan area.. take a canal boat trip.. visit a museum.. well,enough things to do to fill 3 months.. i lived once on a houseboat on Brouwersgracht in 1970...long time ago..but Amsterdam then... was still better then Amsterdam now.. it's only my opinion..been back a couple of times.. and still...can't get enough of its people and atmosfeer.. in Holland they say...lekker gezellig.. www.visitamsterdam.nl Emiel
thanks for the applause nem. i gotta think about that signature thing ... i have a guilt complex about how much vertical space i already take up cuz i'm so freakin verbose most of the time. kinda like how i'm self-conscious about how much horizontal space i take up in the physical world. love s g collins
