Amsterdam: Bicycles Rule, Pedestrians Pray, and Canal Boats Glide

We left the city of light and traveled to Amsterdam, a city of canals and bridges. When you think Amsterdam you may think tulips, and you would not be wrong, but in early February, the famed Keukenhoffe, known as the Garden of Europe is not open.

Winter still has a grip on Amsterdam. Temperatures float somewhere in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s during our stay. Though when it is not windy, it is quite pleasant. Do not be dissuaded. While the field are not open, you can find bouquets tulips everywhere! They are after all synonymous with Amsterdam. If you like a little kitch you can buy a wooden shoe filled with tulip bulbs!)

The beauty of the city is the combination of Dutch houses, 3-4 stories tall, two rooms wide and leaning into each other as they line a canal street with a unique and lovely bridge at either end of the neighborhood street. A church with a delicate and harmonious set of carillon bells (the one at the end of our street chimes chin chim cheree from Mary Poppins) on the lead up to the gonging of the quarter, half and hour.

Each house has a hook hanging off a beam at the roof line. These are used to hoist furniture up to the upper floors (and through a beautiful large window because the stairway up is ladder steep and singularly narrow.) The Dutch houses lean and tilt as the ground below has settled at varying degrees over time. 

The canals are lined with a combination of houseboats, calling like the sirens to voyeurs passing by to glimpse the lifestyle, small work or touring boats, ducks and water fowl, and the national treasure… bicycles!

There are perhaps more bicycles than people in Amsterdam. They line the canals, the bridges, the parking garages ( yes think a 4 story parking garage lined with only bicycles). Bicycles are king. In the scheme of moving through the city, bikes had the ultimate right of way, followed by trams and cars, and finally the lowly pedestrian who puts his life in the hands of the god of the 7 lane turn. 

It is thrilling! Worth the risks. The vantage points along any route are spectacular. And there is a lot to offer!