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Amsterdam

Amsterdam by foot or by public transport

Introduction

Amsterdam contents

Dancings discotheques and beach

Amsterdam
History

Amsterdam by foot or public transport

Amsterdam History (1)-From the origins

Amsterdam History (2)-War and Peace 

Amsterdam History (3)-the Golden Century

Amsterdam-Modern times and involvment in World War II

Amsterdam and Jews

Kroller Muller Museum

Amsterdam is a city for walkers and to loiter in all quietude. It�s the cheapest transport system you can use in Amsterdam. Yes, yes, it's a fact. The ancient centre of Amsterdam is relatively small, there are no hills to contend with, and most of the cities outstanding historic and cultural sights are compacted in a few square kilometres, the distances are short. For instance to go from Central Station to Damplaats, not even 10 minutes. From the Dam to Leidsplein about 20 minutes. From Waterlooplein to the Westerkerk and the Jordaan quarter (west of the canals) about 20-25 minutes max. Within the city center, traffic is light and pedestrians are respected as in few other European cities�though you have to watch out for trolley buses and bicycles! At daytime they are very numerous, popping up when you don't expect them. Their approach is silent, rapid and unexpected! And during the night they are even more numerous and ride without lights. Watch also out for the trams. Take also care and beware for pickpockets, particularly active as soon as night falls, in the area of nightclubs, around the Leidseplein as well as in the Red Light district (while lurking, your eyes and nose upwards, the pretty girls in their display windows). Avoid engaging in the narrow and deserted alleyways of the Red district at night, there have been aggressions. And if you�re aggressed please don�t play the hero � Clint Eastwood type�, especially with the drug addicts, they could be dangerous. If you have a car, don�t leave any apparent value on sight if you park your car for a longer time. Take only the valuable objects you will need during the day and leave the rest at the hotel. Avoid wearing and parading with the perfect tourist panoply: camera on a shoulder strap, wallet in the banana and city map in your hand. Routine!!! Just a bit of common sense, like in any big city, that�s all.
Few Europeans speak English so fluently and willingly as the Dutch, communicating should no be a problem.
Public transportation is efficient and plentiful: whenever your feet get tired there is a handy bus, tram; metro train or canal cruiser to take you home.
You can save money buy buying an Amsterdam Culture and Leisure Pass. Thos carnet of 28 coupons gives you free entry top many of Amsterdam�s museums and attractions including the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum, Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, Amsterdam Historical Museum, Rembrandt House and a lot more. Be aware that the individual entrees are quite expensive, let�s say 5 to 7 USD average. Not very much of them propose a discount for students. But the less than 16 or 18 years old pay less, as well as the seniors.
It's fascinating to visit a civilized city where it is possible to get lost. Nothing looks more as a canal than another canal. In this concentric city, laid out like a spider's web, an honest street is never straight without mentioning the numerous small alleyways sometimes not wider than a bike handlebar. Another odd sight: several streets have the same name in the same area. To differentiate them, they are numbered: eerste (first), tweede (second), derde (third) or a directional indication: dwars (transversal).
Dutch weather can change from warm and sunny to chilly and wet in the blink of an eye, even in high summer. Pack a light waterproof or carry an umbrella. Winters are cold: warm clothes, waterproof footwear, hats and gloves are recommended from October until the end of April. The best walking months are between mid-April and mid-October.
But before we start our Amsterdam walks, you�ll have to pass my history lesson ;-). Remember my motto. You visit much better and more interesting when you have some notion about the history of the city you visit.
That�s for next articles�

Bibliography

Holland, by Adam Hopkins (Faber and Faber, 1988), Penguin Guide to Amsterdam (ed.Vincent Westzaan, Penguin 1990), Guide du Routard 1998 (ed.Hachette), De Nederlandse Realiteit, by J.Oostkamp (own folders), The Embarrassment of Riches, by Simon Schama (Collins 1987) is a scholarly but accessible interpretation of Dutch culture.
    World War II