First thing you notice? The Dutch are tall. Like, really tall. Even the urinals are built for giants. I actually had to ask ChatGPT why — turns out, way back in the 1600s the Dutch had consistent access to high-quality food, and that kind of nutritional head start carried across the centuries. Four hundred years later? Voilà: the tallest nation in the world.
And then there are the houses. Those beautiful, narrow Golden Age façades, all lined up proudly along the canals… except they’re not exactly straight. They lean. They wobble. They tilt like they’ve had one too many Heinekens. That’s because they’re built on wooden piles driven into swampy ground, which isn’t exactly the firmest foundation. But instead of spoiling the view, it gives the whole city this charming, slightly crooked personality.
Walk along the canals at night and the magic really hits. The soft street lighting reflects off the water, throwing a golden glow across the bridges. The city feels like a stage set, timeless, intimate, impossibly beautiful.
And of course: the bicycles. Amsterdam is powered by pedals. Everyone’s riding — young, old, business suits, high heels, kids perched on handlebars, dogs stuffed into baskets. The Dutch don’t just commute, they perform on bikes. The way they ferry friends around — standing on the back, hanging off the side, tucked into seats designed for anything but an adult — it’s free entertainment. And they do it all with effortless balance.
Need a break? Grab a beer. The Dutch pour them like it’s an art form: crisp, frothy tops, not a bubble out of place. Pair that with a plate of bitterballen (deep-fried, golden bites of pure comfort) and you’ve nailed the perfect Amsterdam pit stop.
And then the museums. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh, the Anne Frank House… Amsterdam doesn’t just do culture, it does it on a world-class level. Whether you’re into Rembrandt’s brushstrokes or Van Gogh’s madness, you’ll find yourself staring at history and genius side by side.
But what ties it all together is the people. Genuine, friendly, and direct in that no-nonsense Dutch way. Ask for directions and you’ll get more than a route — you’ll get a smile, a story, maybe even a local tip on the best bar around the corner.
Amsterdam leans, yes. But it leans into life — beautifully, charmingly, and always with style.
