All Things Amsterdam (the banana show is real)

TRAVEL TIP

• Reserve the Van Gogh Musueum appointment at least a day before because they have limited slots

TRAVEL TIP

• The shows book up very quickly so either go early in the evening like 5:30 or book a day ahead

After an unforgettable summer traveling through the many countries of Europe, Amsterdam was the grand finale before my journey to Africa. And boy, did it deliver. From the moment my mom and I set foot in this captivating city, we knew it was going to be a place to remember. We flew in from Paris, took the train into the city and decided to walk to our airbnb a little under a mile away. Five minutes into our stroll, Amsterdam's true spirit showed itself in the form of an unexpected rain shower. Seeking immediate shelter, we hauled our luggage with us into a nearby coffee shop. Little did we know that this impromptu stop would become a highlight of our trip. The warm smile of the barista greeted us as he flung the door open and welcomed us inside and with his neighborly charm, he swiftly prepared two steaming cups of coffee on the house while we laughed and chatted with the locals. The unexpected rain was honestly a blessing in disguise as it introduced us to the kindness and hospitality of the Amsterdam community (a huge contrast with the judgmental stares we had experienced in Italy). And let's not forget about the iconic main form of transportation throughout the city: bicycling.  Amsterdam's bike culture was evident from the moment we stepped out of the train station, and we immediately decided to immerse ourselves in this tradition. Renting bikes was a breeze - affordable and accompanied by a foolproof lock - allowing us to cruise around the city like locals.

FOODS

During our trip, we indulged in an array of foods that left us completely speechless. At the top of my recommendation list is the breakfast at "The Breakfast Club" where we had the best buttermilk pancakes topped with fresh fruit, accompanied by THE most delicious vanilla latte macchiato. To say that this meal was perfection would be an understatement- a beautiful combination of flavors that had us on our bikes headed to the restaurant every morning without fail. (And I mean no exaggeration when I say it left us speechless. You know those times where the server comes out and gives everyone their meals and everyone is just silently devouring their plate experiencing their own little slice of heaven in their mouths? This was one of those times). Another standout savory experience was the parmesan and truffle mayonnaise fries from Fabel Friet. I struggle to find the right words to describe the magic that exploded on my taste buds. These fries were so irresistible that within five minutes of devouring our first order, we found ourselves back in line for more. I still think about those fries to this day..

ACTIVITIES

Last but not least, some noteworthy activities I recommend in Amsterdam. 

1. First, reserve a time to view the Van Gogh Museum. There was a plethora of Van Gogh pieces that I had never seen before. With the aid of the audio guide and headphones the museum supplied us with, I was able to immerse myself in his life story. 

2. Secondly, it is essential to spend some time inside the unique coffee shops. These “coffee shops” are not like your typical Starbucks; they serve as cozy lounges, doubling as weed dispensaries. You walk in and order at the bar and they give you whatever you ordered (joint, eighth, edibles etc.), a grinder, an ash tray and a lighter. As you indulge in your choice of marijuana or edibles, you can relax in a welcoming atmosphere, complete with good music, low lighting, and great vibes. Each coffee shop has its own distinct ambiance, making it worthwhile to explore a variety of them. 

3. Another recommendation is to visit the Anne Frank House, which obviously holds immense historical significance. 

4. Unfortunately, we were unable to partake in this activity, but I have it on my list for my next visit: taking a canal boat tour, especially beautiful during nighttime. You can cruise through the canals while enjoying your choice of food and drinks. 

5. Lastly, no exploration of Amsterdam would be complete without a visit to the infamous Red Light District. Although its reputation precedes it, the district really does offer a unique and unfiltered cultural experience. If you are unfamiliar with what the red light district is, it is an area in the city where the buildings are illuminated with red lights and you can find a range of s*x-oriented businesses, including unconventional performances known as the s*x shows or banana shows (where a woman feeds a banana to 5 volunteers from the audience... (You can search the internet for further detail on how this happens and what all you will see in these shows). Although it might sound wildly overwhelming and unconventional, I think if you find yourself all the way in Amsterdam, its worth checking out because it really is part of the city’s identity… and you won’t ever forget it.