Amsterdam

While booking my flight to Ghana this past summer, I realized that I would have a layover in Amsterdam both going and coming back. I called Delta to see about extending my layover in Amsterdam. I turned 6 hours to six days in Europe for an additional $200, a small price to pay for an experience like this one. I flew into Amsterdam then took to train to Paris to meet my best friend. (Read my Letter to Paris here!) After spending my time in Paris I took to train back to Amsterdam for my finals day in Europe.

Amsterdam is a small city with more history and less partying then I had expected. I spent only one full day exploring the city and I was able to visit the Van Gogh Museum, Bleomenmarkt, the Red-light district and the Anne Frank house. I spent my afternoon with a fellow blogger I had met on Instagram and had the best thai food I’ve ever tasted.

How to get around: The easiest way to get around Amsterdam is the bus system. Because the city is so small it is almost impossible to get lost. I used public transportation to get to and from the airport as well as to see all the sites. Amsterdam also a very walkable city and you’ll find tons of cute shops and cafés to pop into along the canals.

Where to stay: I stayed at CitizenM, a boutique hotel chain with micro-rooms. Admittedly my decision was based solely on a picture taken by another blogger on Instagram but my two-night stay was delightful. The hotel was in the financial district but close enough to both the train and bus which made getting around very easy. Next time, I think I’ll try an Airbnb along the canals.

Where to eat: Food has never been my specialty but a friend recommended Thai Restaurant Bangkok for dinner and it did not disappoint. It’s a 5 minute-walk from Bleomenmarkt & the food is authentic and responsibly priced.

What to see & do:

Anne Frank House: If you don’t do anything else in Amsterdam, the Anne Frank house is a must. Like so many other students around the world, I read The Diary of Anne Frank in school, but to walk the halls where this young girl hid while writing one of the most important novels of all time was deeply powerful.

Van Gogh Museum: The other important stop during my time in Amsterdam was this museum. It is dedicated entirely to the work of Van Gogh as well as a few artists whose inspired him. If you want to find out the real story behind his ear, I promise the answer is inside this museum.

Bloemenmarkt: A very cool outdoor market with tulips bulbs galore. I brought a few back for my mother to plant in her garden but customs confiscated them. I didn’t realize you had declare the items while still in the Netherlands. If you do plan to bring a few bulbs back, politely shake your head no when customs ask if you have anything you need to declare.

Red Light District: Yes, it is exactly as you imagined. You’ll find exactly what you’re looking for, sex shops and full-length windows housing semi-naked women who would much rather be somewhere else.

I was pleasantly surprised by how peaceful and laid-back Amsterdam turned out to be. If you’ve seen any American films that feature this city, then you what is portrayed is a party haven for young European and American students. On the contrary, I had such a pleasant day in Amsterdam just walking around and enjoying the history. Next time I would like to explore more local areas while I’m glad I got all the touristy attractions out of the way.