In 13 days I shall be in one of my favourite countries in the entire world, The Netherlands. This time I'll be straying not just outside the Centrum (the center of Amsterdam), but making a day trip to Zansvort to put my toes in the North Sea (and perhaps do some kind of kite mattress surfing thing), but also visiting Haarlem (which is quite close by), and hopefully making the trip to Arnhem to see the Kröller Müller Museum , which I've been told is even better (not that it would be too difficult) than the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (which is always full of tourists rushing you through and therefore not fun to visit).
But Amsterdam itself is full of things to see and do for those who don't partake in "Dutch coffee". Not only is the Rijksmuseum amazing, but the science museum (NEMO) is a must see for those interested in science (I spent about 2 hours playing with the various exhibits patiently waiting until the children had their turn), and there are plenty of street markets if you love markets and thrifting.
My favourite market of all is the Monday morning market at the Noorderkerk (Jordaan area). It's full of little odds and ends from vintage clothes to things for the house and also has a few booksellers as well. Last time I went to the Noordermarkt I scored some editions of The Real Free Press (including the first one ever printed) and a new Dutch comic book for my collection also published by the RFP called "Skippy".
My obssession with Dutch comics and the RFP was born from visiting a little hippie owned comic book shop near the Parmentier Metro station here in Paris a few years ago where I bought the RFP #4 featuring the art work of Robert Crumb and another Dutch comic book called "The Upside Downs". What makes The Upside Downs so interesting is that the frame can be read both up and down. Made by Gustave Verbeek in the early 1900's, its style predates TinTin by nearly 20 years. But don't take my word about how cool-kooky it is. Scroll down and take a look for yourself.
I'm hoping to score a few household bargains and maybe even a few vintage duds. The clothes at the Noordermarkt can be quite cheap, but you usually have to dig through piles to find the good stuff, so if that's not your thing, keep that in mind. Also make sure to bring your own bags to take stuff with you.
It's nearing the time I decide what I will make time to do in Amsterdam and what I won't make time to do. Along with visiting the sea and Arnhem I also want to take the free ferry to the north of Amsterdam (which is just behind Centraal Station) and explore this area. When I lived in Amsterdam for four months I was working on a book and didn't explore much, so each time I try to fit in the things I've fallen in love with (like sitting doing nothing in the Vondelpark and reading a book) with something new or nieuw I should say.
Plus I've found every time I go back for a visit my Dutch is a bit better than last time and I am determined to perhaps not to master the language, but at least be able to have a simple conversation in Dutch. I have two Dutch neighbours living nearby who help me practice, so ik heb geen excuus! (I have no excuse!)
If you're going to Amsterdam and want some suggestions feel free to ask and if you've never been, try to make a trip to Holland. There's good food, lovely canals, and the Dutch are in my opinion very friendly. I have more random conversations with people in Amsterdam than anywhere else. It's what keeps me coming back. Actually it's what keeps me from wanting to go anywhere else either. For some people it's Paris, but for me it's Amsterdam!
What's your favourite country or city to visit?
But Amsterdam itself is full of things to see and do for those who don't partake in "Dutch coffee". Not only is the Rijksmuseum amazing, but the science museum (NEMO) is a must see for those interested in science (I spent about 2 hours playing with the various exhibits patiently waiting until the children had their turn), and there are plenty of street markets if you love markets and thrifting.
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| Noordermarkt Monday mornings, don't miss it! |
My favourite market of all is the Monday morning market at the Noorderkerk (Jordaan area). It's full of little odds and ends from vintage clothes to things for the house and also has a few booksellers as well. Last time I went to the Noordermarkt I scored some editions of The Real Free Press (including the first one ever printed) and a new Dutch comic book for my collection also published by the RFP called "Skippy".
My obssession with Dutch comics and the RFP was born from visiting a little hippie owned comic book shop near the Parmentier Metro station here in Paris a few years ago where I bought the RFP #4 featuring the art work of Robert Crumb and another Dutch comic book called "The Upside Downs". What makes The Upside Downs so interesting is that the frame can be read both up and down. Made by Gustave Verbeek in the early 1900's, its style predates TinTin by nearly 20 years. But don't take my word about how cool-kooky it is. Scroll down and take a look for yourself.
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| The Real Free Press #6, Robert Crumb |
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| The same one frame from The Upside Down - upside and downside. |
It's nearing the time I decide what I will make time to do in Amsterdam and what I won't make time to do. Along with visiting the sea and Arnhem I also want to take the free ferry to the north of Amsterdam (which is just behind Centraal Station) and explore this area. When I lived in Amsterdam for four months I was working on a book and didn't explore much, so each time I try to fit in the things I've fallen in love with (like sitting doing nothing in the Vondelpark and reading a book) with something new or nieuw I should say.
Plus I've found every time I go back for a visit my Dutch is a bit better than last time and I am determined to perhaps not to master the language, but at least be able to have a simple conversation in Dutch. I have two Dutch neighbours living nearby who help me practice, so ik heb geen excuus! (I have no excuse!)
If you're going to Amsterdam and want some suggestions feel free to ask and if you've never been, try to make a trip to Holland. There's good food, lovely canals, and the Dutch are in my opinion very friendly. I have more random conversations with people in Amsterdam than anywhere else. It's what keeps me coming back. Actually it's what keeps me from wanting to go anywhere else either. For some people it's Paris, but for me it's Amsterdam!
What's your favourite country or city to visit?
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