Amsterdam Streets

It was our plan that we would not do anything during the first few days in my beloved city of Amsterdam. After checking in at our hotel, Bed & Coffee, a budget hotel near Rijkmuseum and Van Gough Museum, we took a nap. It’s a great advantage of travelers with less pressure to cram in action-packed days. We enjoy the slow pace of streets along the canals without tourist attractions. We were too tired and spaced out to deal with bus-loads of tourists.

On those streets, and even on the main streets, we could easily observe that privately owned business - those pop-and-mom operated retails and such - are not only visible but also thriving. This is a vast difference from the sights of the gross American norm, uni-color corporate brand names across the board on any street corners, as we witnessed and grew weary of during our drive through California and Arizona. Just by walking along the streets of Amsterdam Centraal where individual businesses are busy with activities, accompanied by laughter around the shops, and presence of what appeared to me as real people, we eased into the pace and the atmosphere, with jet-lagged daze.

A bit of observations at Schiphol Airport. We knew that Netherlands would be welcoming, but we were amazed at the degree of openness the country showed us in the way we had never imagined. It took only 20 minutes or so, from the time we stepped out of the aircraft to when we got to the train ticket dispenser and wondered how we were going to get the train tickets to Amsterdam Central Station. No questions like “what are you here for?” Not even “how long is your stay?” We only said good morning to the officer at the customs and then submitted our passports. The officer did not forget to confirm that I am a resident alien in the States with a Japanese passport. Needless to say, nobody even gave a glance at our luggage.

What are the Dutch not afraid of?