Fabulous essay, Claire--I especially love this line-"We must limit the spread of harmful ideas—whether it’s fascism, fundamentalist Islam, racism, or something else entirely. We must protect our freedom and democracy." Amen.
Some of my favorite memories took place in Amsterdam in the 90s and early 2000s. I used to have an office in The Hague--many, many moons ago. Rather than weed and sex shops, my interests involved the great jazz heritage --the extraordinary tenor sax player- Ben Webster lived in Amsterdam for 3 years in the 60s. I could (and did) spend hours perusing the vintage/antique shops. Thanks for taking me back....(I loved Amsterdam so fiercely, that a part of my novel takes place there.)
An excellent introduction to the complexities of Amsterdam. I recently wrote about seeing a middle-aged couple wandering through a park in Idaho, wearing traditional wooden shoes. We invited them to join us for conversation and they accepted--admitting that they are indeed from the Netherlands, but also laughing that they only wear the wooden shoes as a way to meet people. In our conversation, I mentioned that I would like to someday visit Amsterdam. They both immediately wrinkled up their noses and asked why. They had very little good to say about the city--overcrowding and multiculturalism gone awry. This post, however, restores my desire to visit.
Wooden shoes! That must have truly been to draw attention. Not sure if I've ever seen a Dutch person wear them. Amsterdam is both overcrowded and still worth visiting. So many small and quiet side streets and canals to admire. And the general vibe remains good.
Good to know! Yes, they laughed about those shoes. She grumbled about how uncomfortable hers are, but they said it works every time when they want to meet people.
A great read! I’m an Australian with ties to the Netherlands for the past 30 plus years. First me as a backpacker using a hostel in Amsterdam as my base( in those days the hostel staff would mind my back pack under the front desk) There were no lockers in those days)
Now my alliance is that my daughter lives in Rotterdam and has done so for the past 5 years. My son was to start art college here in Rotterdam, but declined his offer at the last minute. Maybe the Netherlands isn’t for me.
I can imagine how much it has changed for you over the years! You brought back a sackful of memories! Thank you😊
Thanks for reading and for your kind words! Rotterdam isn't my favorite city in the Netherlands, to say the least. I grew up in its suburbs and always loved The Hague, Amsterdam, and Utrecht more. I hope your son will attend a great (art) college elsewhere. From what I've heard, even the attitude toward foreign students has deteriorated with the new government, so perhaps your son made the right choice.
I think with his sister finishing uni here, he’s not tempted to stay. Very hard to get rental and to get started. Yes there are such prettier places in the Netherlands than Rotterdam 😊🥰
I lived in Den Bosch from 79 - 85. I've visited once since, in 2004. I could never go back, but neither could I go back to England, where I'm originally from.
I think partly what you mentioned - home can never be home again. More specifically, I’ve grown accustomed to more space, including more personal space. I could move again, but it would have to be somewhere new.
Wonderful essay, I could feel it, smell the pot, oh wait that was my neighbor! Your words brought Amsterdam to life for me. I hope to go someday.
I’ve read about the amazing agriculture in Netherlands, the second largest exporter of agriculture. It was very fascinating how a small country built a huge sustainable agricultural industry. I read that after the starvation in the aftermath of WWII the people got together to make sure the people never went hungry again. They have a massive system of greenhouses and it’s done very scientifically. The University of Amsterdam also consults with farmers in Africa to help them with their crops.
Reading about that made me love the Netherlands, and I do hope I can go visit some day. What an amazing place it must be!
I agree that the Netherlands gets a lot of things right, but we also have many problems because over overproduction. The Netherlands has a high density of factory farms, for example—we produce the pigs for most Italian and Spanish hams—and our air and ground water is polluted. Greener policies seemed to be on the way, but with the new right-wing government all plans of curbing the production have been stalled.
That said, the Netherlands is still a country worth visiting, of course. I just wanted to add some nuance.
I lived in Amsterdam in 1971-1976 at various times. I finally went back for a visit in 2012. I ended up staying with a friend in Delft. The inner city was so different. I visited all my old places, and of course, I expected changes. I had changed and Amsterdam had changed. It will never be the magical place it was again.
Great post Claire. I love Amsterdam. There used to be a direct flight on Martin Air from Cancun to Amsterdam where we have friends, so when heading to EU, it was great to be there, hang out w/ our pals, see your former fair city and just have fun. Loved your details. (and i too was sad about the political turn). Our friend, a psychiatrist, had worked in health for the city and would have to evaluate people brought in by authorities to determine if they were either mentally disturbed or high out of their minds. She said it was quite a job. She lasted about 5 years, and now strictly does her art. A kinder, gentler profession ):
Thanks, Jeanine! When I walk through a city, I often wonder how it’s like for the people working there. But I never imagined that this would be a healthcare worker’s job, to decide whether someone needs urgent care or just some time off to come back down.
Amazing, yes. Oddly, she’d never done any drugs at all. She’s whip smart, very situationally aware, and observant as all get out. Her main goal was to not detain someone who’d just gone on a binge and didn’t know how to stop or maybe deal with what they’d taken. She’s a second generation physician so she probably had some help in the genetic department. Eventually it was tiring and draining. Art suits her better.
Fabulous essay, Claire--I especially love this line-"We must limit the spread of harmful ideas—whether it’s fascism, fundamentalist Islam, racism, or something else entirely. We must protect our freedom and democracy." Amen.
Some of my favorite memories took place in Amsterdam in the 90s and early 2000s. I used to have an office in The Hague--many, many moons ago. Rather than weed and sex shops, my interests involved the great jazz heritage --the extraordinary tenor sax player- Ben Webster lived in Amsterdam for 3 years in the 60s. I could (and did) spend hours perusing the vintage/antique shops. Thanks for taking me back....(I loved Amsterdam so fiercely, that a part of my novel takes place there.)
Thank you, Diana! I love The Hague as much as Amsterdam. I’m not familiar with the history of jazz in the Netherlands, but now I’m intrigued.
An excellent introduction to the complexities of Amsterdam. I recently wrote about seeing a middle-aged couple wandering through a park in Idaho, wearing traditional wooden shoes. We invited them to join us for conversation and they accepted--admitting that they are indeed from the Netherlands, but also laughing that they only wear the wooden shoes as a way to meet people. In our conversation, I mentioned that I would like to someday visit Amsterdam. They both immediately wrinkled up their noses and asked why. They had very little good to say about the city--overcrowding and multiculturalism gone awry. This post, however, restores my desire to visit.
Wooden shoes! That must have truly been to draw attention. Not sure if I've ever seen a Dutch person wear them. Amsterdam is both overcrowded and still worth visiting. So many small and quiet side streets and canals to admire. And the general vibe remains good.
Good to know! Yes, they laughed about those shoes. She grumbled about how uncomfortable hers are, but they said it works every time when they want to meet people.
Thanks Claire
A great read! I’m an Australian with ties to the Netherlands for the past 30 plus years. First me as a backpacker using a hostel in Amsterdam as my base( in those days the hostel staff would mind my back pack under the front desk) There were no lockers in those days)
Now my alliance is that my daughter lives in Rotterdam and has done so for the past 5 years. My son was to start art college here in Rotterdam, but declined his offer at the last minute. Maybe the Netherlands isn’t for me.
I can imagine how much it has changed for you over the years! You brought back a sackful of memories! Thank you😊
Thanks for reading and for your kind words! Rotterdam isn't my favorite city in the Netherlands, to say the least. I grew up in its suburbs and always loved The Hague, Amsterdam, and Utrecht more. I hope your son will attend a great (art) college elsewhere. From what I've heard, even the attitude toward foreign students has deteriorated with the new government, so perhaps your son made the right choice.
I think with his sister finishing uni here, he’s not tempted to stay. Very hard to get rental and to get started. Yes there are such prettier places in the Netherlands than Rotterdam 😊🥰
Thanks Claire,
I lived in Den Bosch from 79 - 85. I've visited once since, in 2004. I could never go back, but neither could I go back to England, where I'm originally from.
Much to think about.
Thanks, John!
Why is it that you could not go back?
I think partly what you mentioned - home can never be home again. More specifically, I’ve grown accustomed to more space, including more personal space. I could move again, but it would have to be somewhere new.
I think I understand. I like being at a distance from what I know, being the stranger. This makes it easier for me to write more freely.
Wonderful essay, I could feel it, smell the pot, oh wait that was my neighbor! Your words brought Amsterdam to life for me. I hope to go someday.
I’ve read about the amazing agriculture in Netherlands, the second largest exporter of agriculture. It was very fascinating how a small country built a huge sustainable agricultural industry. I read that after the starvation in the aftermath of WWII the people got together to make sure the people never went hungry again. They have a massive system of greenhouses and it’s done very scientifically. The University of Amsterdam also consults with farmers in Africa to help them with their crops.
Reading about that made me love the Netherlands, and I do hope I can go visit some day. What an amazing place it must be!
Thank you, Susan!
I agree that the Netherlands gets a lot of things right, but we also have many problems because over overproduction. The Netherlands has a high density of factory farms, for example—we produce the pigs for most Italian and Spanish hams—and our air and ground water is polluted. Greener policies seemed to be on the way, but with the new right-wing government all plans of curbing the production have been stalled.
That said, the Netherlands is still a country worth visiting, of course. I just wanted to add some nuance.
I lived in Amsterdam in 1971-1976 at various times. I finally went back for a visit in 2012. I ended up staying with a friend in Delft. The inner city was so different. I visited all my old places, and of course, I expected changes. I had changed and Amsterdam had changed. It will never be the magical place it was again.
I fear this is the case for so many places. Once we leave, we can never return and find it the same.
Great post Claire. I love Amsterdam. There used to be a direct flight on Martin Air from Cancun to Amsterdam where we have friends, so when heading to EU, it was great to be there, hang out w/ our pals, see your former fair city and just have fun. Loved your details. (and i too was sad about the political turn). Our friend, a psychiatrist, had worked in health for the city and would have to evaluate people brought in by authorities to determine if they were either mentally disturbed or high out of their minds. She said it was quite a job. She lasted about 5 years, and now strictly does her art. A kinder, gentler profession ):
Thanks, Jeanine! When I walk through a city, I often wonder how it’s like for the people working there. But I never imagined that this would be a healthcare worker’s job, to decide whether someone needs urgent care or just some time off to come back down.
Amazing, yes. Oddly, she’d never done any drugs at all. She’s whip smart, very situationally aware, and observant as all get out. Her main goal was to not detain someone who’d just gone on a binge and didn’t know how to stop or maybe deal with what they’d taken. She’s a second generation physician so she probably had some help in the genetic department. Eventually it was tiring and draining. Art suits her better.
She will make a very interesting character for a novel!
Hmmm. Actually, she would. She’s quirky, super smart, oddball sense of humor. And obviously she has stories to tell!!