[disclaimer: This entry was typed on Thursday, February 12, 2009, at 2.57pm Swedish time, but updated online at a much later time due to internet accessibility)
“As soon as he fell asleep, half the world started babbling in his brain, telling him wondrous travellers’ tales. In this half-discovered world every day brought news of fresh enchantments. The visionary, revelatory dream-poetry of the quotidian had not yet been crushed by blinkered, prosy fact. Himself, a teller of tales, he had been driven out of his door by stories of wonder, and by one in particular, a story in which could make his fortune or else cost him his life.” –The Enchantress of Florence, Salman Rushdie One day, I will revisit this quote and ponder upon it. But for now, let me soak in the bright sunshine and immerse in the glimpse of heaven that I see through the flight window.
Amsterdam had been captivating. Everything, from the sights, and sounds (of course, in beautiful daylight) captured my heart. Well, not to say that the night scene isn’t something to talk about, we all know that Amsterdam has A LOT to offer (*winks winks*). But in all, my Dutch experience was definitely worth it, and in fact, exceeded my expectations of what Holland would be like. Simply put, it stole my breath away.
We flew from Stockholm to Eindhoven, and took a train down to Amsterdam. (mental note: I saw the PSV Eindhoven stadium but did not manage to take a picture of it). I daresay that as soon as we made an exit from the Amsterdam Central train station, I fell in love right away. The architecture is tres amazing! Amidst the dark, rainy backdrop, Amsterdam had a glow which was spectacular and beyond words. The buildings colonial, the feel royal, and the ambience nostalgic. I was nothing but amazed.
We spent the first evening walking around to check out the place around our hostel, just to let Jamie, the greatest organizer of all time, plan the itinerary for the next few days. We also had our first experience of the Dutch coffeeshop on the first evening. Amusing experience really. Lots and lots of story to tell, but I’ll spare the trouble of typing it out for a more verbal account. LOL.
Day two and the weather was miserable, still. It kept on raining but we had plenty planned for the day. In the end, we settled for a few museum trips. Made a visit to the Van Gogh museum, just perhaps to appreciate art for a while. After Van Gogh, we walked to the Rijkmuseum (the National Museum I presume). The weather was erratic, really. It was pouring heavily one second, and then the rain turned to snow, and we walked in the merciless cold despite the wicked downpour. But anyway, the museum had plenty of great historical portraits, paintings and artifacts that I found interesting. I always had an interest in much of European history, but being there in person was truly a priceless experience.
Going by foot was definitely not the best option, but it does save a lot of money on transportation. Yet somehow the Dutch culture of going around by bike was really something I’d go for. I can live in this country hey! Everyone cycles in this place, if not ride a motorbike, and there are plenty of Vespas going around on the street, and not to mention a few Piaggio, and of course, my lovely lovely Italian Gilera.
But I think the one great thing about going around by foot on such a place like Amsterdam is that we managed to truly capture the amazing sights of the place. Like I mentioned, the architecture has got to be something to live for, and preserved, not to mention. If I had an idea of Venice, I think Amsterdam had lived up to that imagination, or perhaps, done it better. The one thing we missed out on was the canal cruise. Would love to get a ride on those bumboats though, but I guess it would be too romantic for a huge group like ours.
In essence, here’s what we managed to do in this beautiful city of Amsterdam - checked out the coffeeshops - shopped
- visited Van Gogh Museum - visited the National Museum - I met a cute Dutch-Indonesian Heath Ledger-cross-Nicholas whatshisface (from Ada apa dengan Cinta?) boy at the National Museum whom I had a great conversation with and exchanged emails =) - Checked out the Red Light District which was OMFG-HARDCORE-NAK-MAMPOS. Once in a lifetime experience I swear. - Tried space cakes (HA HA. No effect. Fake lah. Confirm) - Bought tshirts for my very-loved-and-missed niece and nephew - Went to the Anne Franks house in which she went into hiding during the war period and got inspired by her story…and quotes. - Visited the Tulip Museum and did not pay. - Ate the best fries in the world. - Let the wind talk to me and blew kisses to the gorgeous scene of AMSTERDAM.
One city down, and a lot more on the list to go. I’ll wait for spring to come, because winter had been amazing, but I have enough of it already. Haha. So till then, anticipate more stories of Europe from me, lovelies.
Amsterdam, till we meet again.
p/s: more pictures up soon
Blowing kisses from the Europe sky, Syida
/ Rasyida Sam
Who?
Chatterbox, has an incredibly sweet-tooth and loves all things covered in chocolates and cheese. I also fight for world peace people!!!
WORLD PEACE.
I left my mark...
Singapore Stockholm, Sweden Jönköping, Sweden Gränna,Sweden Eindhoven, The Netherlands Amsterdam, The Netherlands Malmo, Sweden Girona & Barcelona City, Barcelona, Spain Valencia, Spain Bratislava, Slovakia Budapest, Hungary Prague, Czech Republic Vienna, Austria Krakow, Poland Liverpool, The UK London, The UK Goteborg, Sweden
[disclaimer: This entry was typed on Thursday, February 12, 2009, at 2.57pm Swedish time, but updated online at a much later time due to internet accessibility)
“As soon as he fell asleep, half the world started babbling in his brain, telling him wondrous travellers’ tales. In this half-discovered world every day brought news of fresh enchantments. The visionary, revelatory dream-poetry of the quotidian had not yet been crushed by blinkered, prosy fact. Himself, a teller of tales, he had been driven out of his door by stories of wonder, and by one in particular, a story in which could make his fortune or else cost him his life.” –The Enchantress of Florence, Salman Rushdie One day, I will revisit this quote and ponder upon it. But for now, let me soak in the bright sunshine and immerse in the glimpse of heaven that I see through the flight window.
Amsterdam had been captivating. Everything, from the sights, and sounds (of course, in beautiful daylight) captured my heart. Well, not to say that the night scene isn’t something to talk about, we all know that Amsterdam has A LOT to offer (*winks winks*). But in all, my Dutch experience was definitely worth it, and in fact, exceeded my expectations of what Holland would be like. Simply put, it stole my breath away.
We flew from Stockholm to Eindhoven, and took a train down to Amsterdam. (mental note: I saw the PSV Eindhoven stadium but did not manage to take a picture of it). I daresay that as soon as we made an exit from the Amsterdam Central train station, I fell in love right away. The architecture is tres amazing! Amidst the dark, rainy backdrop, Amsterdam had a glow which was spectacular and beyond words. The buildings colonial, the feel royal, and the ambience nostalgic. I was nothing but amazed.
We spent the first evening walking around to check out the place around our hostel, just to let Jamie, the greatest organizer of all time, plan the itinerary for the next few days. We also had our first experience of the Dutch coffeeshop on the first evening. Amusing experience really. Lots and lots of story to tell, but I’ll spare the trouble of typing it out for a more verbal account. LOL.
Day two and the weather was miserable, still. It kept on raining but we had plenty planned for the day. In the end, we settled for a few museum trips. Made a visit to the Van Gogh museum, just perhaps to appreciate art for a while. After Van Gogh, we walked to the Rijkmuseum (the National Museum I presume). The weather was erratic, really. It was pouring heavily one second, and then the rain turned to snow, and we walked in the merciless cold despite the wicked downpour. But anyway, the museum had plenty of great historical portraits, paintings and artifacts that I found interesting. I always had an interest in much of European history, but being there in person was truly a priceless experience.
Going by foot was definitely not the best option, but it does save a lot of money on transportation. Yet somehow the Dutch culture of going around by bike was really something I’d go for. I can live in this country hey! Everyone cycles in this place, if not ride a motorbike, and there are plenty of Vespas going around on the street, and not to mention a few Piaggio, and of course, my lovely lovely Italian Gilera.
But I think the one great thing about going around by foot on such a place like Amsterdam is that we managed to truly capture the amazing sights of the place. Like I mentioned, the architecture has got to be something to live for, and preserved, not to mention. If I had an idea of Venice, I think Amsterdam had lived up to that imagination, or perhaps, done it better. The one thing we missed out on was the canal cruise. Would love to get a ride on those bumboats though, but I guess it would be too romantic for a huge group like ours.
In essence, here’s what we managed to do in this beautiful city of Amsterdam - checked out the coffeeshops - shopped
- visited Van Gogh Museum - visited the National Museum - I met a cute Dutch-Indonesian Heath Ledger-cross-Nicholas whatshisface (from Ada apa dengan Cinta?) boy at the National Museum whom I had a great conversation with and exchanged emails =) - Checked out the Red Light District which was OMFG-HARDCORE-NAK-MAMPOS. Once in a lifetime experience I swear. - Tried space cakes (HA HA. No effect. Fake lah. Confirm) - Bought tshirts for my very-loved-and-missed niece and nephew - Went to the Anne Franks house in which she went into hiding during the war period and got inspired by her story…and quotes. - Visited the Tulip Museum and did not pay. - Ate the best fries in the world. - Let the wind talk to me and blew kisses to the gorgeous scene of AMSTERDAM.
One city down, and a lot more on the list to go. I’ll wait for spring to come, because winter had been amazing, but I have enough of it already. Haha. So till then, anticipate more stories of Europe from me, lovelies.
Singapore