Lonely Traveler? Worry Not !! you really don‟t need any of my silly excuses to travel to the beautiful city of Amsterdam, the home of the Amstel Dam. Traveling all alone with a small bag and Few Euros in my pocket, You will understand what I meant as soon as you step on the Dutch land. The vibe the city emanates is so friendly, and welcome, that you would want to go there again and again and again. The locals are tourist friendly, and would be glad to help you if you are lost. And most Dutch folks speak clear English, so communication is never a problem. The center of Amsterdam is shaped like a horseshoe, surrounded by four famous canals called the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Single and Prinsengracht. These four canals meet at centre at central Dam Square on which Dam Palace is built. On the south of Central Station.
The first few things that will catch your attention would be the waterways ( Canals ), the generous smattering of “Coffee Shops”, the brightly lit lanes, and “mushroom” stores, sex shops [it will bring a smile on your face, I guarantee that]. People say this city never sleeps, and yes it never does. It has got some kind of Passion to be alive with so much of positive Vibe around. Nights are always Glamorous with the thousands of Beautiful Tourists floating in to the Pubs, Coffee shops, Discos, sex shops in Red light District and in Tini-Mini streets of Amsterdam. Well I Didn‟t find much difficulty in finding a Student Hostel to have a good night sleep though it wasn‟t expected after reading reviews about hostels in Amsterdam. Hostel Staff Being Indian I had no issues getting extra Care free of cost. Sharing a Room with 8 unknown people (Including 4 Girls) was something different experience all together. Did share few Indian words of wisdom with these Folks coming from different Countries.
It was a rather late start in the day with Free Guided Tour to the city of Amsterdam where my beautiful Guide attracted me more than the beautiful canals and castles. But it was a wonderful experience to do a walking tour with group of unknown People having a zing to explore the history and culture of Amsterdam. Amsterdam has been well documented everywhere for its beauty – the people, roads, engineering (the dykes are state of art, and if not for them, Holland will be underwater!), the canals, history, just about everything!
Spending a day there, I went to the amazing „Wax Museum - Madame Tussauds’
which was kind of unreal to be in between all the famous people around the world. Having lot of Photo sessions by some lonely traveler like me the next stop was to experience the famous „canal Cruise’ to the city and I must admit it was an experience of life time. Beautiful Tulips, Busy Shopping Streets, Pigeons in the Dam Square, Smell of Smoke Peeping out from every Coffee Shop, Beautiful Canals, Houses and Ladies would always keep my thrust alive to visit the city again.
The city seems to thrive on its mix and, despite hordes of tourists, still manages to feel quintessentially Dutch. The old crooked houses, the cobbled streets, the tree-lined canals and the generous parks all contribute to the atmosphere. I missed to see many places in Amsterdam hence I walked out a little enriched, a little sad, and a little delighted at being able to experience all this in a day and headed back to my Hostel to have a good sleep as Journey of A lonely traveler never stops and I was yet to explore very next day the Beautiful city of Brussels ( Belgium )….