Taxis in Amsterdam ? Think twice.

When people (=mostly friends and family members visiting the country) ask me about the eficiency of public transport, how to rent a bike, taxis etc. in the Netherlands they get very suprise about the following:

Can anyone believe I have never been into a taxi while living in the Netherlands ?
NEVER.

How's that possible ? Well, my father-in-law brings us to Schiphol airport when we go abroad. He's also there to collect us when we arrive in Dutch soil. When he also goes abroad with us and the rest of the family, we know someone with a mini-bus who will bring us to Schiphol charging a fair rate. For the rest, I will take a tram, a bus, a boat ("de Pont", for free) or ride my bike.

I am also disappointed/sick about the stories I have heard since my first day living here. For a shocking story (in Portuguese) from a fellow blogger in The Hague  read here (the taxi chauffer threatened them with an iron bar).For a full article in English click here while the link lasts. The title says all: Amsterdam taxis rank poorly in European test.
On the film below, an experienced Dutch chauffer gives a reasonable point of view. English subtitles.


Tips:
* If at all possible, avoid the Taxi Rank at Amsterdam Central Station (a taxi rank Amsterdammers refer to, without any subtlety, as the  "Gaza Strip"). If you do go there, look for a TCA taxi.
*You can also order a TCA taxi. In this case it may be best to have the taxi pick you up in front of the St. Nicholas Church — directly across from Central Station. To order a TCA taxi, call 020 – 777 7777 (7×7)
* If you are a tourist just bring nice comfy shoes and walk around. Amsterdam is a beautiful city, and most tourist attractions can be easily reached by tram.

Sambadam

Street Art

When you walk from the Amsterdam Central Station towards the OBA (the city's public libray), you pass by a big new hotel, a huge Chinese restaurant on water, you enjoy the beatiful views, and before you reach the bridge taking you to Nemo...

You find this.

Ápparently, it seems to be an interpretation of Noah's Ark.

Only in Amsterdam...

Brasil Festival Amsterdam

Ew !

Apparently, I haven't had the drive to blog on a regular basis lately. Blogging comes on the bottom in the list of my priorities right now (and the coming months). A big SORRY also to other bloggers for my absence.

Sometimes, it is very difficult to be me. Not easy.

But then I got a tip from my other significant half, via e-mail:

Him: "During the months of October and November there will be happening the Brazil Festival Amsterdam. Maybe you feel like blogging something about it ?"

Me: "- Of course, thanks !"

And here is what I have found on their site (in Dutch):

"After successful festivals about India and China, Amsterdam is during the months of October and November welcoming Brazil.  
Brazil Festival Amsterdam promises to be a surprising introduction to the Brazilian culture. Because Brazil is not only the land of carnaval, samba, football and capoeira. This South American country has a dynamic  economy and a blossoming culture with a wide range of forms, from classic to modern. The key word to Brazil is "multicultural". This is noticed in the bossa nova, the XXth century dance culture and the present classic music. But also in the film, arts and the architecture. Everything is in there. From indian origins and western baroque to the most modern expressions. The Brazilian culture looks like the Brazilian kitchen: a fusion of the best from many worlds. "
More info:  www.brasilfestival.nl (yes, Brazil as it should be: with an "s", ha ! Unfortunately, everytime they mention "São Paulo" they write it Sao Paolo - ARGH !! ).

Below, a few examples of what you can enjoy:

Balé da Cidade de São Paulo.


Bianca Gismonti and Claudia Castelo Branco. An explosion of "pianofire": Duo Gisbranco.

Documentary "Sweet Dutch Brazil"(O Doce Brasil Holandês). I have already talked about it before.

On the 9th of October, Zuco 103 (= Brazilian Lilian Vieira, German Stefan Schmid and Dutch drummer/producer Stefan Kruger) will be performing songs in de samba de gafieira style for kids: "Secrets for Your Ears", for kids older than 6y. Sitting while watching is not possible ! (Oops, and this reminds me I really have to enter in contact with Lilian for a interview here at GFH. Zuco 103 tours around the world - but it is totally un-famous in Brazil, btw.)

Lilian sings mostly in Portuguese, sometimes also in English.


Ana Carolina has alredy been in Amsterdam on the 7th of July and I MISSED IT.

But there is much, much more about Brazil during October in November in Amsterdam.
Vamo que vamo !
 www.brasilfestival.nl

Hugo Boss Orange Fall Winter 2011 Amsterdam

Hugo Boss Orange Fall 2011 Campaign stars Dree Hemingway, Lily Donaldson and Eniko Mihalik sporting the labels casual fall pieces along with male co-models Ryan Thomas, Casey Taylor and Jon Kortajarena in the outdoor spread ‘Hugo’s Day Out’ lensed by Matt Jones.

Amsterdam, The Bicycling City

This video has a bit "educational" tone, but is a good one. Amsterdammers love their bikes, despite the high index of stolen ones. Not only is the country flat, but the drivers are also polite towards people cycling. Sometimes, I even think that people bicycling become too pushy in their rights. For instance, in my village it is not uncommon that two or three people bike side by side, reducing all the speed of the traffic of cars behind them.  Or a protective parent that goes into the street with his/her five year old slowly practicing on the main street. I have also met people in Amsterdam with top jobs who raised kids and built a busy life withouth never owning a car - yes, it is possible. I hope I have never to drop my car in the future - my life would be more difficult without one, especially during rainy or very cold days. But everytime we have a "good weather" (=no rain) I use the bike. No doubt about it !

Sexy Amsterdam

Eu escrevi para o blog do Daniel Duclos um Guia do Erotismo em Amsterdam que voce pode ler aqui.

Queens Day 2011 (Koninginnedag, 30th April, Amsterdam)

Em portugues leia aqui.

Last year I posted about my Queen's Day in Amsterdam with lots and lots of pics  in an orange overdose.

This year it will becelebrate on the Saturday but probably will be posting fewer photos - if any at all. I will go to the Vondelpark with another family and our kids will be selling some of their toys, books and other stuff. Yes, the Vondelpark is completely reserved for the kids selling their stuff and playing tricks !

Here below, an agenda of what to do in Amsterdam on the Saturday 30th of April:

Leidseplein:
(from 11am to 8pm)
AIR and American Hotel will bring a podium to the Leidseplein where you can enjoy house, electro and tecnhno music. Free entrance. Line up: Freddy Spool, Tettero, Rubix, Bart B More, Riptide, Prunk, Sjonnie Disco, MC Dan Stezo. Free entrance. www.air.nl

Museumplein / Museumsquare:
(from noon to 9pm)
Radio 538  promises the performance of many topartists and the famous 538's dj's (Edwin Evers, Jeroen Nieuwenhuize, Ruud de Wild, Lindo Duvall, Niels Hoogland, Tim Klijn, Jens Timmermans and Barry Paf).
Programme/Line up:

3J's, Afrojack, Alain Clark, Ben Saunders, Bløf, Dazzled Kid, De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, Di-rect, Eva Simons, Finalisten X-Factor, Frans Duijts, Gebroeders Ko, Gerard Joling, Glennis Grace & Xander de Buisonje', Guus Meeuwis, Inna, Jacqueline Goveart, Jeroen van der Boom & Leonie Meijer, Jurk!, Krystl, Lasgo, Lawineboys, Quintino & Mitch Crown, R.I.O., Racoon, Sander van Doorn, Sidney Samson, The Opposites, The Partysquad, Vader Abraham & De Mosselman, VanVelzen, Waylon, Wolter Kroes, Armin van Buuren  www.radio538.nl

Jordaan:
* Cubanse Son   The band is called "Septeto Trio Los Dos" and it brings to the area of Jordaan many dancing rythms, latin power, trompeta Cubana, tumbao en percussions. In their site they claim to be "one of the most popular latin bands in Holland". Come to the Jordaan and decide yourself !  http://www.triolosdos.nl/

* Cafe' de Blaffende Vis:
Address: Westerstraat 118, Jordaan
Line-up:
Patrick Verheij 12:00
Katrin Koegel 13:00
Guest performance of Miss Sherry Daynne 13:30
Ella Wonder 14:00
Handsfreet/m 15:10 - 16:50
Los Zandt/m 17:00 - 20:00

Rembrandtplein:  
Oranje Nacht Straat Festijn  (live entertainment) from 7pm to 9 pm
Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 108-114 (corner of Rembrandtplein with Thorbeckeplein)
Line-up: DJ Bart, ZRobert Leroy & Friends, Henk Dissel & Mike  www.jantjesverjaardag.nl

Westerpark:
Loveland Queensday Afterparty  (8pm to 5 am)
Entrance:  € 22,50
Address: WesterUnie (Klönneplein 4-6)  www.loveland.nl
Line-up:
Westerliefde: Michel de Hey, Arjuna Schiks (LIVE), Marnix, Michael ‘Ille Bitch’ von
Westergasterras: Presetone, Marcus Gehring, Ken Abel
WesterUnie: Sébastien Léger (FR), Ramon Tapia (BE), Secret Cinema, Remy, Egbert (LIVE), Juan Sanchez.

Of course there is much more to see and do than I have listed here above. But hopefully this post can give you some ideas. Below, some videos to give you an idea of Queens Day, if this all seems new to you. I have to laugh when on the Dutch press it is said that "Queen's Day is the largest street party in the world with one million tourists coming to Amsterdam" (Hahahahahahaha! Hellooooo ! Have you ever heard about Carnival in Brazil ? One million tourists ? Oh, really ? Actually that's peanuts ! In an Eurocentric view of the world probably one million vistors is a lot  though. Only Salvador, in Bahia, receives for the Carnival 2 million people everyday during one week). Well, enjoy the vids and have a nice weekend !

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Tuk Tuk

Spotted while I was sitting in a tram in Damrak, going back to the Central Station in A'dam:
A tuk-tuk (or rickshaw?) driver relaxing on the sun today, while waiting for clients.
Psst ! Wikipedia tells me such mean of transportation is typical of Asian developing countries - but I think it fits very well in the Dutch urban scene... Nice also to use during a party, btw. Cool !

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Lack of Space: House Boats

Above and below: Amsterdam North.

Walking around in Amsterdam I could notice that the gardens of some house boats are already showing signs of spring. Yes, some house boats do have gardens. Actually they shoudn't be called houseboats (woonboten) for they are sustained by pillars and go nowhere.

I have been into house boats a couple of times. They vary from basic-basic to luxurious - almost a palace on the water, with all the comforts and facilities of an expensive house. After a while, you even forget that your are floating on water. Once, many years ago,  I visited a colleague who lived in such a house. The curtains were closed, we were talking and talking and then I saw the lamp hanging from the ceiling moving to the left... and moving to the right... I though about ghosts and told people in the room about it. They laughed: "We are on water, remember ?!"

Then I stood up and looked for the restroom. I had to hold on some of the furniture on my way to it.

But I think like everything else that is new for you in a house... you end up getting used to it.

Above: house boat located in one of the canals in A'dam.

Above: another house on the same location.

If you had the opportunity... would you like to live in a house boat ?
Maybe even during your vacations ?
Is it charming and cosy ?
Or scary ?

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Round Structures, Amsterdam North

Somewhere in Amsterdam North, nearby Landsmeer and surrounded by water...

Such round buildings call the attention of passers-by. I think they are for elderly people, but I am not so sure. Cool or not ?  I guess you have a problem when trying to place shelves and/or a cupboard against the wall...

Odd, odder, the oddest. Do not ask me what this is, I can just speculate about it. It was not made for a living and it goes nowhere. Durig years and years it is just there, nearby the round structures pictured above,  moving around according to the wind direction.  It has no practical function and maybe it works as a decorative piece on the landscape. People on the bus stop nearby now and then talk about it and change impressions. Some people are deeply irritade about it, others are amused by such nonsense.

One thing is for sure: the birds find it pretty and enjoy it a lot !

Villa Arena, Amsterdam

If you follow this blog regularly then you know I moving to a new house next month. Because it is a bigger one and especially because it thas two living rooms we have been for a while looking for extra furniture. Two weekends in a row were dedicated to the via crucis of searching floors (laminaat) in several shops and a new sofa hunting at Villa Arena, Amsterdam (see my photo above). Villa Arena meubel boulevard has the finest of contemporary decorations and furniture. But also colonial/retro/country style (such as Riviera Maison shop). We always take a lot of pictures - discreetly and when possible - and make some written or mental notes. This can be veeery tiring, I cannot focus any longer and cannot walk anymore. But... we... must... go... on...

Above: a "poof" or stool which top can also be used as a serving tray/coffee table. I loved it and wanted to pay and take to the car asap - but hubby being the non impulsive cloggie he is held me back. So as the  vendors at markets in Morocco or Turkey complain say about the Dutch clients: "Kijken, kijken - niet kopen". Look, look... do not buy. 

This standard is also in my "wish list". I have some vases with amazing plants I would like to place on a pair of simple wooden pedestals like the one above. But my husband wants to buy new articles only when we are settled down in the new home. He doesn't want to make mistakes or have excesses. We are going to be moving in phases, so in order to not complicate our logistics it is indeed better to buy new furniture when we are able to place it already in the new address.

A quick pause at a Douwe Egberts shop. My son chose a brownie pie, husband preferred a cheese cake. Impossible to say which one was the best.  

Now, that's funky ! We need to buy a night stand for my son, to be placed near his bed. He loved them. These ones are made of cheap wood and covered with tin. Yes, tins. Found at the Woonfabriek at Villa Arena. Check the details below:

Thinking well, I find this pretty cool stuff BUT (there is always a "but" with me) we need to think again. I have my doubts about this night stand. It is so busy, you probably get tired of it very quickly. Or not.

Still in Villa Arena... that's HIM ! A L-shaped leather couch with adjustable head support. We have taken some pictures of it, checked the colour possibilities and took notes of the measures. It is definitely above our budget, so for the moment we do not buy it. Boy, God had given me a good taste - but forgot to provide me with money. To the Marktplaats then ! I have sold a baby furniture set via that site a couple of years ago and loved the experience. There are also very, very fine furniture pieces at Marktplaats.nl. Antiquities, contemporary, country style... you name it. Thousands and thousands and thousands of articles. Just like Funda, it is a must visit site if you are busy in the NL with a new home/decoration. 

Have you ever shopped at Marketplaats ? Was it a good or a bad (or terrible) experience ? What are your fave decoration/interior shop (s) in the NL ? Did you marry / started a family here in the NL and had to shop for a whole new  furniture set ? Any faves ? Ikea, Loods 5 ... ? Any second hand funiture business you recommend ?  I wanna hear from you !  

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2TheLoo, Amsterdam (Flagshit store)

Last Friday I decided to go hunting for more sales, this time in Amsterdam. The country is a bit "empty" right now, with many cloggies being absent - enjoying winter/ski vacations. I was already anticipating the sensation of comfort in the bus and in the streets. It would be great: fewer bumpings and crowds. In the bus I was lucky enough to find two free papers : and "old" Sp!ts from 17th Feb. and a new, plus a Metro. Both editions of Sp!ts had articles about a new shop in town: a toilet shop. Or better saying: a peeshop (in Dutch: plasshop).  Ahn ? Ok, one more craziness in Amsterdam. Geezz, I will have to check that ! Luckily I have my camera with me.

Under the photo one reads: Emptying your bladder in a chic way is possible since yesterday in the Kalverstraat, in Amsterdam. The title of the article is: Peeshop sells "relief". (Sp!ts 17Feb. 2011)

Again, Sp!ts. Now the 18th Feb. edition.  "A fine pee and an excellent flush" . Below: the opening party, detail.

Generally when I need to pay a visit to the toilet while visiting A'dam I go to the Bijenkorf, or the Magna Plaza. They cost 50 cents and you have to go to the highest floor. So much walking... Anyway, I try not to drink before I leave to the big city. This time I hadn't yet started my shopping in the Kalverstraat and I needed to go to the toilet already. I couldn't even try some pants, grrr...

Hey, here it is: 2theloo. Easily recognizable. It looks posh.

I was almost blind and tap dancing. I threw a one euro piece and enjoyed my relief in a chic cabin.

Throw your coin (s), get the ticket and run ! Open the door and aaaahhh... Hey, I didn't have to press the flush button - it was automatic, just like in Schiphol airport.

The sinks are very contemporary and automatic too.

Ignace enthousiastically posed for the pics. First quickly arranged his hair and... smile !

The toilet costs one euro - and you get a fifty euro cent voucher to use as discount in one of the products available at 2theloo. I decided to buy an Always pads pack of 1,99 - I paid thus 1,49.

Below: you can also buy water (2thel'eau) or coffee.

Below: the selection of products available, where you can use your 50 euro cent discount voucher.  

Ignace also showed me the "family room", for parents-kids and babies - and a very small toilet.

For the moment, the expansion plan is of 16 2theloo shops in the NL. The owners have also international ambitions: there are shops to be open in Belgium, Poland and South Africa. A toilet shop -  why has nobody thought about this before ?   A must try ! (The Dutch are sooo entrepreneurial. And I am once more convinced they always know how to make things better...)

Readers, what did you think of this post ?

Would you like to try one 2theloo? Where do you go when you are shopping and need to go to a restroom ? Do you find 1euro expensive ? I'd like to hear from you !

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