Festivals

The Netherlands is one of the busiest countries in the world when it comes to festivals. Since the beginning of the dance music revolution in the late 80's, the Netherlands, in its open mindedness has sprung people into event organizers, creating events - dance music events, some of which have grown into world famous festivals.

Whilst travelling or living in the country, let your inhibitions go wild, and join in the festivities. Be it in the local parks, or the major festivals scattered around the country. It can be well worth the trip to see some famous artists playing, or just to soak up the Dutch local, and enjoy some of the best run festivals in Europe!

Art-sterdam.....

Amsterdam is not just the usual Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum and Renaissance paintings... Amsterdam is seeped in history of modern art, from the squatters 80's right through to day. Here are a few out of the many modern museums that not even most of the locals know about!

Aschenback & Hofland: Bilderdijkstraat 165c Wed-Sat 1-5pm, free entrance.
Something from the squatters day of the 80's, this brings works from Simon Hemmer, Seb Koberstadt and abstract art works of Sven-Ole Frahm. Stand back and observe.

Kochxbos: Eerste Anjeliersdwarsstraat 5, Wed-Sat 1-6pm, free entrance.
For the underground amongst us, the changing art works shown are avant garde and for those who like the modern obscure, in the beautiful Jordaan setting. Previous works have also included Sarah Maple, Englands own younger generation Tracy Emin in waiting.

Upstream Gallery: Van Ostadestraat 294, Wed-Sat 1-6pm free entrance.
Located in the trendy Pijp area, this art gallery shows international art works, in a relaxed vibe. From Motion nightmares from Cristobal Leon, concrete and glass sculptures by Crisitan Andersen it can have something for everyone, if you have an interest in something new and different.

Amsterdam in the summer

Ok, so summer in the city isn't really as we hoped. Some jumpers and boots still in our wardrobes, and our trusty umbrellas. Fear not, keep an eye on buienradar.nl which gives you 2hr, 3hr and 24hr weather prediction so you can plan the day ahead for museums, eating/drinking al fresco or just taking a cycle.

Just plan ahead, keep a poncho in your saddle bags, and a sturdy umbrella (for your multitasking cycle/umbrella holding moments!)

List of runs for anyone needing some motivation!

Sun 08/26/2012   Gooische Run, Laren Nh 5/10k
Fri 08/31/2012   Leiden Ladiesrun, Leiden 5/10k
Sat 09/01/2012   Fit2Move Vathorstrun, Amersfoort 6.6/10k
Sun 09/02/2012   Haarlemmermeer Run, Hoofddorp 5/10k
Sun 09/02/2012   37e Vlietloop, Voorschoten 5/10k
Sun 09/02/2012   Tempo-Run, Bussum 5/10k
Sat 09/08/2012   Rabobank Pierloop Velsen, IJmuiden 8.2k
Sun 09/09/2012   Marktstadrun, Purmerend 4EM/8EM
Sun 09/23/2012   28e Dam tot Damloop, Amsterdam-Zaandam 4EM/10EM
Sun 09/30/2012   Zilveren Kruis Achmea Loop, Haarlem 5k/10k
Sun 09/30/2012   ABN AMRO Singelloop Utrecht, Utrecht 10k
Sat 10/06/2012   Mud Masters Obstacle Run, Haarlemmermeer 3.5EM/7.5EM
Sun 10/07/2012   Rondje Bergen, Bergen 5/10k
Sun 10/07/2012   Sloterplasloop, Amsterdam 5/10k
Sun 10/07/2012   Westfriesgasthuis Loop(t), Hoorn 5/10k
Sun 10/14/2012   Pijnenburg Bosmarathon Soest, Soest 5/10.5k
Sun 10/21/2012   37e TCS Amsterdam Marathon, Amsterdam 8/21k
Sun 10/28/2012   Heemstede Loop, Heemstede 5/10k
Sun 11/04/2012   Parnassia Laan van Meerdervoort Loop, Den Haag (Kijkduin) 5/10k
Sun 11/04/2012   Maple Leaf Cross, Hilversum 6k
Sun 11/11/2012   Olympisch Stadionloop voor Unicef, Amsterdam 5/10k

Time, smoke and shine..

For anyone looking for a good hairdresser, its always a risk just moving to a new city, so you will need to try out a few, and especially with the prices some of them charge also. I have found myself buying Crowd buying vouchers (groupon, living social, megadeal etc)to check out hairdressers without the price tag. And one i might have already mentioned, was Ronald vanDun. Open 10-6 7 days a week, it was a great find last year when I went for the first time with a voucher I had bought. Very causal, and relaxed, just Ronald himself to take care of you.

If you like to have a cigarette with your coffee whilst reading your book, this really is the place for you!

Maritime Museum

Having just come back from the Maritime museum (Scheepvaartmuseum) I have to say, its not really a place for those unless you have a keen interest in Ships. It is a beautiful building, and you can go into the old wooden boat you may see floating beside it which was built 30 years ago by volunteers of a boat that actually sank just off Hastings, England in the 18th Century, so it is interesting to feel to that. For the rest - paintings, decorations, and anything to do with it (maps etc)..  I could be skipped by the average tourist!

The Carrot equation!

Strange fact:
In English, we say the root of 9 = 3.
In Dutch, they say (translated) the carrot of 9 = 3

The more recognisable your bike, the less chance of it getting stolen. The newer, fancier it is, the more chances of coming out one morning to find it is gone forever. LOCK it! Get a lock, and not just the cheapest, but the big hard tough ones. The people stealing your bike are professionals so make it as difficult as you can. Make sure you have the back lock on your bike, and then lock the front wheel and your bike to a bike stand. There is nothing more frustrating that coming out one morning late for work to find the bike is gone!

Take a run....

If you are sporty, or just want to run a few charity ones, check out inschrijven.nl
Here you can choose the area you are living in and see what runs are up and coming - everyone knows of the Amsterdam marathon, but what about other smaller cities/villages where you get to check out the local scenery while your at it! Multi-task!

Have a laugh...

Bored with the Dutch tv? Fancy a laugh without having to understand the language? It's international comedy time again at the toomler. Located under the Hilton hotel, in Zuid, from June 27th til August 4th there are 6 pairs of international comedians showcasing for 4 nights (Wednesday to Saturday).
No excuse to stay in, and if you see me sitting in the crowd come say hi!

Eurocup fever...

Its all kicked off and surprising start for most, with the Netherlands having lost yesterday to Denmark 0-1. Surprise for most, and a quiet night for many. Tonight the Irish are in force, after a draw from Italy and Spain. The City is lighting up with all the flags of the Euro Cup, as every nation playing has someone living in this city, all wanting their teams to win... It will be an interesting month!

Secret Gardens...

With the summer on and off currently, no one is sure what to do. But if the sun shines, and you are free on the 15/16 or 17th of June, it is the famous 'Open Garden's weekend' where some of the cities best kept 30 garden secrets are open to the public to browse and enjoy. With one ticket, you can gain access to all gardens, and there is a boat to bring you between some to keep you in the flow of all things bright and beautiful.
Check out:  www.opentuinendagen.nl 

Summer is here?

After a brief holiday back home, I was landing into Schiphol when my fellow passenger pipped up saying he was just on a 5 day holiday to the city, on a 3 month backpack excursion of Europe. He asked me if there was anything i could recommend for someone on a budget, and possibly only in the city for just 5 days.
It left me stumped. Its raining, its summer, and he has little money to flush around..
The library was a first hit, as its free internet also - a great need for travellers.
For someone not into art, he was left a little taken back, but i prompted him to hire a bike on a nice weather day, and cycle around. I know hands down, from people who have visited they all expressed how much better they felt they got to see/or know the city after a cycle around with a local.

How would you spend 5 days, with little money? And in our rainy summer?