Rotterdam Rumble: Rain, Ramen, and Seriously Weird Art
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. 3161733 and 1578465701 - don’t ask. it’s a thing. the air here in Rotterdam is…thick. like, you can almost taste the salt and something vaguely industrial. it’s 69% humidity, feels like -6.48, temp’s hovering around -1.7 to -0.04, and the pressure is…well, let’s just say my ears are popping. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
I landed here yesterday, and honestly, it’s a sensory overload. The architecture is…aggressive. Like, intentionally jarring. Lots of brutalist concrete and these crazy, tilted buildings. It’s not pretty in a traditional sense, but it’s something. I’m staying in this tiny hostel near the Markthal - it smells perpetually of ramen and slightly damp socks. The guy running it, Dimitri, keeps offering me pickled herring. I politely declined. Twice.
I spent the afternoon wandering around the Delfshaven district, which is supposed to be the ‘old’ Rotterdam. It’s actually kinda charming, all cobblestone streets and canals. I stumbled across this incredible street art scene - seriously, the stuff here is wild. Like, not just tags, but full-blown murals that tell these bizarre, fragmented stories. I overheard a local telling another that the artist, ‘Flux,’ is obsessed with pigeons. Apparently, he paints them everywhere. It’s…a thing.
Speaking of locals, if you get bored, Amsterdam is just a short drive away. I heard that the coffee shops there are legendary, but honestly, I’m still trying to figure out how to operate the public transport. It’s a nightmare.
Here’s the lowdown on what I’ve been up to:
Gear: My battered backpack (it’s seen better days), waterproof jacket (essential, obviously), sketchbook, a ridiculously oversized scarf (because why not?), and a portable charger - because, you know, phone.
*Food: Ramen, obviously. Also, stroopwafels. And fries. So. Many. Fries. Check out Yelp for some decent spots - https://www.yelp.com/
*Art: Flux’s murals are a must-see. Seriously, Google him. And check out the Cube Houses - they’re insane. https://www.rotterdam.nl/en/visit/cube-houses
*Drinks:* Local beer. It’s…strong.
Someone told me that the best place to find vintage clothes is in the Kleinburg neighborhood. Apparently, there’s this one shop called ‘Retro Riot’ that’s legendary. I’m skeptical, but I’m willing to investigate.
I spent a couple of hours at the Markthal, which is basically a giant, indoor food market. It’s overwhelming, but in a good way. You can find everything from fresh seafood to artisanal cheeses to…giant lobsters. I bought a questionable-looking pastry filled with something that tasted vaguely of blueberries and sadness.
I’m trying to capture the vibe of this place in my sketchbook, but it’s proving difficult. It’s just… chaotic. Beautifully, unsettlingly chaotic. I’m thinking of doing a series of drawings based on the street art. Maybe I’ll even try to recreate some of Flux’s pigeon murals. Don’t judge.
A drunk tourist told me to check out the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum. Apparently, it has a collection of surrealist art that’s “mind-blowing.” I’m not sure I’m ready for mind-blowing, but I’ll give it a shot. https://www.boijmans.nl/en
Seriously, the weather here is…unique. It shifts dramatically every hour. One minute it’s drizzling, the next it’s sunny, and then suddenly it’s hailing. It’s like the city is deliberately trying to mess with my head.
I’m heading out to explore the Erasmusbrug now - it’s this massive, cable-stayed bridge that dominates the skyline. Apparently, it’s a symbol of Rotterdam’s resilience after the war. I’m hoping to get some good photos. And maybe find another questionable pastry. Wish me luck. And send coffee. Lots of coffee.
Pro-tip: Don’t trust anyone who offers you pickled herring. Seriously.
And if you're looking for a good place to stay, TripAdvisor has some decent options: https://www.tripadvisor.com/
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