Amsterdam's Damp Embrace: A Drummer's Perspective (and a Whole Lot of Rain)
okay, so amsterdam. i’m finn, by the way, touring drummer for… well, it doesn’t really matter who, does it? you’re reading a travel blog, not a band bio. anyway, i just got here, and it’s… interesting. i just checked and it’s drizzling sideways, a proper, persistent kind of dampness that seeps into your bones. hope you like that kind of thing.
I’m here for a gig - a weird corporate thing, actually. Think motivational speakers and lukewarm coffee. But hey, a paycheck’s a paycheck, right? And it gave me a chance to wander around. I’m staying near the *Jordaan, which is… charming, i guess? Lots of canals, cobblestone streets, and tiny houses that look like they’re about to topple over. It’s got a vibe, you know? A slightly melancholic, very European vibe.
Someone told me that the best stroopwafels are from a little shop on Rozengracht. Apparently, they’re “life-changing.” I haven’t found it yet, but it’s on the list. I’m also trying to find a decent record store. My snare drum’s feeling lonely.
“Don’t trust the bikes. Seriously. They’ll take you out.” - A very grumpy-looking man at a canal-side cafe.
It’s true though. The bike situation here is intense. It’s like a constant, low-level anxiety about getting run over. I saw a guy nearly take out a pigeon the other day. No apologies. Just a quick ring of the bell and a furious pedal.
I spent a couple of hours wandering around the Anne Frank House area. It’s… heavy. Obviously. There’s a lot of quiet contemplation happening there. It’s a stark reminder of… well, you know. It’s not exactly a party atmosphere, but it’s important. You can check out their website here: https://www.annefrank.org/.
I’m trying to be good and eat healthy, but the brown cafes are calling my name. I heard that the bitterballen at Cafe Loetje are legendary. Apparently, you can’t leave Amsterdam without trying them. I’m not arguing. I might need something to soak up all the… dampness.
“The Rijksmuseum is huge. Like, really huge. Don’t try to see it all in one day. You’ll regret it.” - A woman with a very impressive scarf.
True story. I attempted it. My feet are still recovering. I’m thinking of hitting up the Vondelpark tomorrow if the rain lets up. Need to stretch my legs after all that standing around. I’m also considering a canal tour. It seems like a touristy thing to do, but hey, when in Amsterdam, right? You can find some options on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g188590-Activities-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html.
If you get bored, Rotterdam and The Hague* are just a short train ride away. I might pop over to Rotterdam for a day trip. Heard they’ve got some seriously cool architecture.
I’m also checking out some local music venues. Hoping to find some good beats. Yelp has a pretty decent list: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=live+music&find_loc=Amsterdam,+Netherlands.
Oh, and the temperature? It’s currently 8.6 degrees Celsius, feels like 6.49. Pressure is 1004, humidity is 83%. Basically, pack a raincoat. And maybe a hot water bottle.
I’m off to find those stroopwafels now. Wish me luck. And send coffee.
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