• How easy was it to find your hotel?
Although Melissa, my Dad and I were in a jetlagged haze, we managed to find the hotel without a problem.
• What's the first thing you did when you got to Amsterdam?
After we dropped off our things at the hotel, we went out for a walk, narrowly avoiding certain death from all the bicyclists whizzing past. Then we went to the Cafe Americain for coffee and bitterballen.
• Did you get to rent a bike and see the city that way?
I didn't do this, no. I'm not a, well, courageous person by nature and bicycling around the city seemed to require an amount of nerve that I just don't have. I live in NYC and I didn't think much could frighten me, before I encountered the crazy bicyclists of Amsterdam.
• If so, how was it?
• How'd you like the hotel?
The hotel was amazing. In fact, it was way too nice--I didn't want to leave, ever. I could have spent the entire trip in the bathtub.
• Did the weather affect your trip in any way.
It was, I have to say, much colder than I had anticipated. And the cold was exacerbated by the dampness and the wind whipping off the canals. I was less amenable to the idea of going for long walks than I normally am. I also whined a lot. I was a joy to be around.
• What did you think about Amsterdam before the trip?
I had a vague impression of it being a tulip-y land.
• Did your feelings about A'dam change because of the trip?
It was more beautiful than I had expected, and the food was better. I had Indonesian food that I will never, ever forget.
• How were the Dutch?
Mostly quite friendly, although restaurant service was surprisingly standoffish. If you started a conversation, though, things quickly warmed up.
• Did anyone give you a hard time about being American?
Not that I know of!
• How did your readers react when they learned about your trip?
There was a lot less grumbling than I had expected--mostly there were pleasant expressions of envy. I didn't receive even a single piece of hate mail.
• Did you have any great meals?
The Indonesian food was great. I had some poffertjes that I can still remember, but the sugar shock afterward was a bit hard to take. And the coffee! I don't think it's possible to get a bad cup of coffee in Amsterdam.
• Are there any tweaks that you'd recommend to the Dutch Tourism Board if they did something like this again?
Do it in the spring. And organize it so that groups of bloggers are going at the same time.
• Do you have any recommendations about things that first timers should definitely do?
I would hit all the major museums, and try to get to know some Amsterdammers. The few I met made me wish I had tried harder to meet more.
• Anything else you want to add...
I think that just about covers it. Thanks, Justin!
Comments