Amsterdam: City of freedom

In "The UnDutchables", Holland is described as a country where everything is on a small scale and every inch of space is used. The capital Amsterdam was established in the 12th century as a fishing village. Past and present live in harmony here. The Dutch took the tulip from the Turks and made it their national symbol. In Amsterdam different cultures, different colours and different creeds live together in harmony.

iki Amerikalı yazar, espirili bir şekilde Hollanda'yı ve Hollandalılar'ı anlattıkları 'The UnDutchables' kitabında. "Her şey minik, kalabalık ve sıkıştırılmış; evler, caddeler, dükkanlar, süpermarketler, parklar, ormanlar, arabalar. Hollanda yoğun nüfuslu bir ülke ve Hollandalılar sahip oldukları her santimetrekareyi sonuna kadar kullanmakta ustalar." Farklı kültürlerden, farklı renkte insanlar Amsterdam'da barış ve huzur içinde bir arada yaşayabiliyor.

Crowded and lively squares

Head from the Leidseplein to the Leidse Straat for some shopping. Cross the Prinsen, Keizers and Heren Canals that circle the city and come to Kalver Straat that connects Dam Square and Rembrand Plein. Dam Square is the heart of the city and fills with street performers. The Royal Palace built in the 1600s in the classical style dominates the Dam. The Oude Kerk (Old Church) is Amsterdam's oldest church and is used for concerts and exhibitions. Visit Madama Tussaud's and the lobby of the Hotel Krasnapolsky and then head to the Damrak Straat toward the Centraal Station. On the left among the street stalls lies the Sex Museum that chronicles the history of pornographic culture.

Şehir merkezindeki önemli meydanlardan Leidseplein'den, ünlü alışveriş caddesi Leidse Straat'a giriyorum. Yolumun üzerinde sağlı sollu dükkanlar, butikler, pastahaneler, kafeler ve dünyanın hemen bütün milletlerinden değişik renk ve kültürde insanlar. Amsterdam'ın merkezini çevreleyen Prinsen, Keizers ve Heren Kanallarını geçip Kalver Straat'a ulaşıyorum. Burası şehrin iki önemli meydanı Dam Square ile Rembrand Plein'i birbirine bağlayan cadde ve bütün Amsterdam'ın en kalabalık yeri. Meydandaki diğer önemli bina Eski Kilise (Oude Kerk). Dam Squere'de Madam Tusseaud Müzesi gezilmeli.

Red Lights and museums

The train station was built in 1881 and is near to the Red Light District. There are sex shops, sex show clubs and half-naked women in red-lit windows. Totally different are the Van Gogh and Rijk Museums. Then, head off to a canal tour. Notice how narrow the canal houses are-taxes used to be calculated on the width of houses. At night, go to a "Coffee Shop". These are small, crowded and smoke filled rooms where people smoke marijuana openly and legally.

Van Gogh'un önemli eserlerinin çoğu, kendi ismini taşıyan bu müzede sergileniyor. Amsterdam'ın meşhur 'Coffee Shop'larından birine giriyorum. Buralarda haşhaş, esrar gibi hafif uyuşturucular yasak değil ancak buralar Rembrandt Plein'deki gibi açık hava kafeleri değil, nispeten kuytu ve kapalı mekanlar.

Miniature Holland

In Madurodam near Lahey, all the important sites of Holland are shown in model form. Also near Amsterdam are the residential areas of Badhoevedorp, Vinkeveen and Santpoort. People take pride in the gardens and the upkeep of their homes. Most people live 40-50 minutes outside of Amsterdam in peace and quiet. In fact, Holland is an overwhelmingly peaceful place.

Madurodam'a Hollanda'nın minik bir maketi yapılmış. Havaalanı yakınlarındaki Badhoevedorp, Vinkeveen, Santpoort, Amsterdam pahalı bir şehir olduğundan ve Hollandalılar doğayı sevdiğinden, şehir nüfusunun büyük çoğunluğu çevredeki kasabalarda oturuyor.

Amsterdan Guide

Climate:Holland is a northern country but it is not very cold. In the winter, temperatures average 9-10 C and 18-20 in the summer.

Currency:Holland took on the EURO as of January 1, 2002. There are many bureaux de change in the city centre.

Telephone codes:Holland: 31. Amsterdam: 20.

Visas:Turks need Visas. Schengen is accepted.

How to get there

THY: Tel: 4440849. KLM: Daily at 06.00 and 15.00. Tel: 0212-230 03 11.

Amsterdam Hotel

All prices and categories. The most luxurious is the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Tel: +31 20 554 91 11. Other 5 star hotels: Crowne Plaza Amsterdam, Tel: 620 05 00, Amstel Intercontinental Hotel, Tel: 622 60 60. Some 4 star hotels: Jolly Hotel Carlton, Tel: 622 22 66, Swissotel, Tel: 626 00 66, American Hotel, Tel: 624 53 22. 3 star hotels: Citadel Hotel, Tel: 627 38 82, Damrak Hotel, Tel: 626 24 98, Singel Hotel, Tel: 626 31 08.

Where to eat

De Silveren Spieghel: 17th century home serving Dutch cuisine. Address: Kattengat 4-6. Tel: 624 -6589. Excelsior: Elegant French restaurant with an amazing view. Try the parmesan risotto and the lemon tart. Address: Hotel de L'Europe, Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-8. Tel: 531-1777. Kantjil En De Tijger: Indonesian restaurant with meat, fish and vegetable dishes. No lunch. Address: Spuistraat 291/293 Tel: 620-0994. 'T Swarte Schaep: Amazing French restaurant frequented by Dutch royalty! Address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 24 Tel: 622-3021.

Nightlife/Bars

There are many nightclubs and bars. Jazz café-bars are the cheapest and are open late. Jazz Cafe Alto Tel:, 626 32 49, Bourbon Street Blues Cafe Tel: 623 34 40, Bimhuis Tel: 623 13 61. The Lido on Leidseplein has shows akin to those in Paris. It on Rembrandplein (Amstel 24) is famous disco popular with the gay scene. April (625 95 72) and Gaiety (624 42 71) are other gay clubs.