Lessons on Day 1 of Amsterdam phase.
Those who have come here please ignore. This may be too commonplace for you. First, there is a separate cycle track on every road and u have to be extra careful about the cycle riders since car riders r supposed to be more careful about pedestrians. Second, a fish named Harang in short locally, is eaten raw and it tastes yummy. Third, you need to be a good walker or a cyclist to really enjoy the city. Sadly I am none. Fourth, cafe is for coffee and coffee house is for marijuana. Fifth, a platter of mix fish fried and french fries in a modern roadside dhaba with a small bottle of water will cost u rs.2000 inr. Sxth, cycle rickshaws like india are here too in city. Just that rickshaw puller may be wearing a coat or jacket and may look replica of Salman Khan. This much for today.
Lessons of Amsterdam Part 2.
First, at 8pm, there is a sudden increase in sunlight, brightest since 3pm, and see the first picture from 17th floor of my hotel. Some issue with planetary movements. Second, it is a nation of 16 million people but 21 million bicycles. Third, the Amsterdam Central Station (in red) is 125 years old but seems like a decade old. These guys can give a big education in heritage preservation. Fourth, Ajax Arena the football stadium of Ajax Club of Holland given below with 50,000 seats is one big stadium among many in this small nation showing how Football is an emancipation for them. Bigger religion here than our cricket. Fifth, the nation is below sea-level, so the WHOLE border of the nation is protected by advanced dam-technology. Sixth, canals are the best part of A'dam and a big business is of cruises here (shows how we can make big money from Ganges and Sabarmati and Yamuna in India, and Bagmati in Nepal). Seventh, walk on the right side of the road since drivers drive left, and right is right, left is left for the opposite direction people.
Amsterdam Lessons Part 3: First, the Amsterdam University is 350 years old, one of the most affordable one in Europe, has 50,000 students (very large by European standards), and has old order charm in its buildings, cafetaria, old books corner, and is spread all over the city. Second, there are three concentric circles of lakes: of the Prince (outermost), the Emperor (middle one) and the Nobility (innermost one). This is so because democracy in Amsterdam started with franchise for the wealthy tax-paying male nobility only. Third, the city is 700+ years old and almost every building has a few centuries history (the building of my School is from the 17th century). Fourth, the canals have given the most profitable tourism business of Amsterdam: cruising. The one behind me is Lovers' Cruise, 10 Euros (Rs.750) per trip per person. 25% concession if you are a couple. Fifth, Museum Culture is the second most important aspect of A'dam after canals. You have Royal Museum, Anne Frank Museum, Remrandt Museum, Sex Museum, Torture Museum (medieval times torture techniques preserved), Art Museum, and what not. One gets a crash course on museum marketing in this city. Sixth, water and wine are almost at the same price (Rs.250 for water bottle, Rs.400 for wine bottle). Seventh, one has to see traffic decorum to believe it. Even in an empty street a car will wait for green signal, cars will stop behind one another with 4 to 5 feet gap, pedestrians and cyclists will be asked to go first then cars, et al. Eighth, hugely high taxes keep the city very clean (22% of VAT for example), public transport very orderly and affordable, discourages personal cars on street, etc.
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