Wandering Amsterdam: Bicycles, Canals and Crooked Buildings

The first and only other time I visited Amsterdam was with Michael several years ago. We accidentally arrived on Queen’s Day, the Netherlands’ biggest celebration of the year, when they all dress in orange and shut down all the public transportation, and throw a giant party in the streets. Like St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin times 800. Concerts at every crossroads, people packed shoulder to shoulder, quite a lot of weed smoke, and more men peeing in the street than I was used to seeing. It was a shocking way to arrive into Amsterdam, and unfortunately meant that the few days following were spent climbing over the piles of garbage in the streets. There was honestly about a foot of garbage layered on the ground everywhere for at least the first full day after Queen’s Day. We had a wonderful time together in spite of it all, but I was interested to see Amsterdam in normal mode instead of party-on-steroids mode.

The funniest thing is that Michael enjoyed that big party so much he went back the next year for the celebration! I stayed home and enjoyed the peace and quiet, and I’m so glad I got to experience the city in its natural state.

Needless to say, I came home with an abundance of photographs of canals, bicycles and crooked buildings. Here are some of my favorites.

My traveling buddies. You can read more about the rest of our adventure, where we ate, shopped and explored right here! 

Thanks, Anne, for the snap of me! I dressed nearly perfectly for the weather, although I could have used a pair of gloves! My fingers were frozen, even in the sunshine! 

When Michael and I visited Amsterdam before, we climbed to the top of that tower in the distance. It was so scary, in part because the last leg involves a wooden ladder, and also because the tower leans into the street. 

This girl, on her phone on the bike! Ack!

In case you’re not already convinced, I’d recommend Amsterdam in a heartbeat. And it’s a great weekend break from Dublin – my flights were around €100 on Aerlingus and it’s an hour and ten minute flight to Schipol Airport. Amsterdam is so easy to get around via tram/bus/metro, the people are beyond friendly, the food is delicious and everything is pretty! Let’s all go back!