Local Expert
Marianne
Marianne backpacked in Europe long before backpacking had been invented. It was difficult to buy a backpack in those days so she used an old one found in the attic. She thumbed her way through the…
Marianne backpacked in Europe long before backpacking had been invented. It was difficult to buy a backpack in those days so she used an old one found in the attic. She thumbed her way through the British Isles and learned English at the same time. She then replaced her rucksack by a husband who insisted on carrying their two small suitcases. She kept a list of what to take. If any item hadn't been used it was crossed out. The result was that the suitcases became smaller and smaller. Once her two children were old enough she whisked them off on 'public transport' holidays in Greece, Turkey, Morocco and other Mediterranean counties. Her husband followed wherever they went, still carrying the suitcases. She doesn't drive, only rides her bicycle and takes public transport wherever she goes. Marianne is a teacher of English in higher education, which means long and frequent holidays. Pastimes include writing, editing, travelling, learning languages and photography. She now looks forward to the days when work no longer interferes with travelling.
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Geels & Co
Warmoesstraat 67, Amsterdam, Nether...
The aroma of freshly ground coffee rushes out to greet you when you pass Geels & Co, number 67 in Warmoesstraat. You may find it a little strange to see a shop that sells coffee and tea right in the middle of the Red Light District. When Antonius Geels started his business mid 19th century, Warmoesstraat was a genteel street. Over time different types of people and shops replaced the conventional ones. These days the street is known for its sex shops and hash bars. Sex shop owners, hash dealers and prostitutes also drink coffee and tea and what is easiet than to shop nearby. That's why Geels remained in the same spot and expanded. Climb the stairs to the tiny museum and have a look at the coffee grinder your grandmother would have used and the fashionable porcelain cups of her days. The museum is open on Saturday afternoons only.
January is one of the coldest months. generally speaking temperatures hover around freezing but this year may be different as the forecaster predict longer spells of below zero temperatures.
Still, January is a good month to visit Amsterdam. There are not many tourists about and hotels rooms and flights are at their cheapest. Don't forget to pack you windproof coat, hat, gloves and skarf.
A very good reason to visit Amsterdam in January is THE SALES, uitverkoop or opruiming in Dutch. Get that fashionable winter coat in one of stores in Kalverstraat or go to P.C. Hooftstraat for that designer party dress you wanted to buy for Christmas but was too expensive.
The oliebollen stands are still there, selling the traditional New Year's Eve treat. Oliebollen are deep fried currant and raisin filled dumplings. The ice skating rinks invite you for some winter fun. Mid January life will be back to normal, no more oliebollen or skating until next year. Although it looks like it that this year we will be able to skate on frozen canals. That's to say if the freezing temperatures hold.
1. The shelves in Wynand Fockink's tasting room sag under the weight of liqueur bottles. Be tempted and try Volmaakt Geluk (sheer bliss), Hansje in de Kelder (Little Hans in the cellar) or Boswandeling (walk through the woods).
http://www.wynand-fockink.nl/home.html
2. Amble along Oudezijds Achter en Voorburgwal. As the sun sets strings with thousands of twinkling lights transform the canals and bridges into an enchanting cityscape. Stand still for a moment on Stoofbrug for the best view.
3. Coffeeshop on the front of a building means hash bar. You can also get snacks and soft drinks, but no alcohol. If you just want a cup of coffee, look for the word Café.
http://www.amsterdamcoffeeshop.co.uk
4. Go window shopping in the Red Light District. When the neon signs light up, magic fills the air. Join the locals and tourists and stroll past live-sex theatres and gawk at window brothels. It fun adult adventure.
5. Knocking on the door of a window-prostitute may be too adventurous, instead wander over to Casa Rosso or Bananenbar where near-naked dancers will entertain you.
http://www.casarosso.nl
Oud en Nieuw (Old and New) is the Dutch equivalent for New Year's Eve. Many Dutch people celebrate at home together with friends and family.
The 31st December or Oudejaarsdag (Old Year's Day) is a busy day for young and old. Fathers prepare oliebollen, Dutch type raisin and apple filled dumplings. Mothers queue in shops and buy ingredients for the New Year's Eve cold buffet. Children terrorize the streets with fireworks.
Setting off fireworks is not limited to restricted areas but allowed everywhere on 31 December from 10 am to the next morning 4 am.
Dutch Oud en Nieuw is not complete without oliebollen, champagne and the Oudejaarsconferentie on TV when one of the leading comedians reviews the year in a light-hearted way.
At midnight churchbells ring, champagne corks pop and people spill out on the streets in front of their houses. Fireworks spark off and Christmas trees are set fire to. These spontaneous bonfires are not allowed. Street parties continue after the fireworks as long as the weather permits.
New year's Day starts with an oliebollen breakfast and left-overs of the buffet meal. Slouched in a chair in front of the TV, many people watch first the New Year Concert in Vienna and afterwards ski-jumping in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This is the regular thing to do on 1 January apart from visiting family and friends.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
This time of year some ten thousand Dutch people like to make a fresh start. The amazing thing is that they take the phrase literally and dip into the North Sea. Water temperature this time of year is about 5ºC or 41ºF, air temperature is expected to be 2ºC or 35ºF
The run to the sea is on New Year's Day and starts at Scheveningen pier. A steaming bowl of traditional erwtensoep, pea soup, is the reward for this extraordinary braveness. Unox, the soup makers and owned by Unillever, sponsors the event and supplies the soup.
Scheveningen is the seaside suburb of The Hague. Every ten minutes trains leave Amsterdam Centraal Station for The Hague Centraal. The trip takes just under an hour. Hop on tram number 9 which takes you to Scheveningen in fifteen minutes.
Watch the race and try peasoup afterwards in one of the cafés or restaurants along the seaside promenade. They all have their own, home-made variety. Traditionally the soup is served with dark rye bread and smoked sausage.
If you want to stay closer to Amsterdam, Zandvoort (15 mins by train) also has a New Year's Dive, but less specular and grandiose than the one in Scheveningen.
A fleet of 30 licensed wielertaxis or bicycle taxis pedals tourists and locals alike to their destinations. These taxis were introduced in 2003 and look like westernised rickshaws. These eye-catching vehicles can be spotted all over the city centre. These eco-friendly pedal-taxis ocassionally block the cycle lanes, but on the whole they mix well with the city's normal bicycle traffic.
Wielertaxis have an environmentally friendly support motor which makes negotiating humpback bridges easier. Their brakes are of the same type as those of motorbikes, because sturdy brakes are needed especially when going down steep bridges with 150kg wielertaxi plus driver and passengers.
This clean and green solution to public transport is available for up to two passengers. Taxi fare or sight-seeing fare is a flat fare of € 1,- per 3 minutes per persoon, with a minimum of € 2,50 per persoon. Pick one up at Dam Square or Damrak.
http://www.wielertaxi.nl