Gasp! There is actually something Julie won’t miss about living in Amsterdam? She’s always singing its praises.
Guys, let’s keep it real. Life in Amsterdam isn’t always rainbows and sunshine. In fact, depending how you read that, it mostly isn’t. Here are some things that I definitely won’t miss about our brief Dutch life:
- The bike culture. But wait, I thought you said it was something you would miss? Well, there are two sides to that story. This other, evil side is the one that whizzes past you, pedaling the wrong direction in the bike lane (or not), but somehow you, pedestrian/motorist/innocent soul, are the moron and you are in the wrong for not seeing them first. I have been clipped by many a biker. And when you aren’t prepared, that bell is startling. Consider this a warning: Bicyclists always have the right of way. That includes when I’m riding, thankyouverymuch.
- The ignorant comments from people that never have visited Amsterdam and claim they know it’s all about prostitution and pot. Guess what? It’s not. While the Red Light District and coffeeshops do exist and are a legal boost to our economy, they have nothing to do with my life and it’s easy to forget they are even here.
- Actually, I take that back. The tourists that visit such places and then create scenes in otherwise peaceful places (like when I’ve been harassed by junkies in the park… at 11am). We’re just trying to live our life, so keep your dalliances to yourself. I don’t care what you do, just do it somewhere that is not in front of my face.
- The weather. I’ve gotten used to it, and I suppose I can make this positive by saying that now I really truly appreciate a nice, sunny day. Most of the time, it’s like this:
- It’s dirty. Coming from Chicago, which I guess is very clean, this is the other end of the spectrum. Trash is left in the streets, the canal water is polluted, and no one ever picks up after their dogs. Unbelievably, it doesn’t smell! Must be all the flowers…
These lists are fun.
xxx
Those Dam Americans 
Your photos are great. What type of camera do you use?
Best of luck with the move!
Thank you so much! We use a Nikon D700 now and a range of lenses. The lens has a lot to do with the quality.
Do not be modest: your TALENT has a lot to do with the quality as well! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you, darling. It takes a lot of practice. Especially manual mode. You feel like you are playing an action sport with all the adjustments sometimes!
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I can agree that all that rain can bring you down at times (I lived in the UK for a year).
The part about the dog poo…oh dear… I am afraid it is probably worse in Budapest, Hungary (where I also lived).
My worse experience with tourists was at the otherwise peaceful Dead Sea…:P
People I am sure didn’t always understand that living in a country is different than partying there. I am sorry to hear you had some bad experience with this.
Bikers terrorize?! Wow! Not good.
http://kukolina.wordpress.com/
re: the bikers. At first I thought it as intentional, like they were targeting tourists/expats. Now I realize that they are just going about their business and it’s not their problem if you get in the way! I became like that myself. And oh my, Budapest! I loved visiting there. The thermal baths were the best. xo
Junkie or Stoner? There’s a MAJOR difference.
Trust me, I am very aware of this difference. 🙂