Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam itself is a really cool city, with winding city
streets intertwined with a series of canals. Did I mention the bikes? Lots and
lots of bikes. I’d even go as far to say that pedestrians don’t in fact have
the right of way in Amsterdam. Bikes do. And for someone is who is anything but
an avid cyclist (see post from South Africa above), this was a bit troublesome
for me.
I did all of the standard Amsterdamy things: the Anne
Frank House, saw the Flower Market, and meandered through the old city. The
jury, however, is still out on the Dutch people. Based on the ones I interacted
with anyway. At one point, I had my map out, trying to get my bearings, and a
guy asked me, “Do you know where you are?” Now that is a loaded question. Like
at this exact moment or in life? The
second guy to help me with directions then proceeded to ask me for money. I
gave him two Euros. Then he asked me for one more. Sir, if you knew how much
money I’d given to people in New York City, you’d be a) a little more grateful
and b) shocked at my current generosity.
The interactions I had with a couple of the shopkeepers
weren’t that much better. I was burying stamps and postcards and I thought I
heard the woman behind the counter asked me, “Inside Europe?” And I responded,
“International. United States” Well apparently she has asked, “Outside Europe?”
because then she proceeded to tell me that “Yes, the United States is
international” and that in Europe there are different countries that require
different postage not like sending mail between the states in the US. Really?
Is that how it works, please tell me more about these countries you speak of.
At the second shop, I was buying at tshirt that was
advertised at 15 Euros at the 8 other tourist shops I’d been in. I put the
shirt on the counter and the guy says, “20 Euros.” When I told him I thought it
was 15, he tells me, “Okay, 17.” I tell him that every other shop on this block
is selling it for 15 (and I’m pretty sure he had it signed at 15 as well), he
begrudgingly takes 15.
On the upside, the guy who sold me a falafel for lunch
was really quite pleasant.
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