Mention Amsterdam to most people and you get the snickering, sideways wink that says knowingly "yeah sure Amsterdam is great". I was pretty much one of those people. In fact I admit that I almost crossed it off my list when considering places to visit in Europe. But I decided that I should see it and regardless of the American reputation for liberal drugs and prostitution it was worthy of a visit.
I'll set a couple rumors to bed (no pun intended)- weed is not legal, it is "tolerated" and the Red Light District (although I walked it during the day) is not as shocking as you would imagine.
The reason I fell in love with this city is the charming way it is set up. Weaving alleys around canals lined with houseboats overseen by apartment buildings which always seem to have some bright flowering plants on the balcony- probably from the floating flower market around the corner. The adorable cafes, noodle counters and infamous coffee houses all make me want to sit and absorb the scene.
I ran in to these guys playing a serious game of chess near one canal. A crowd had gathered to
observe quietly.
I'm not sure yet if this is the place I could call home but I truly loved the relaxed vibe and casual cool of a city with a decidedly questionable reputation- maybe because it exudes charm despite all of that.
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