The Amsterdam Experience

Okay, okay, so that's going to be a long one.
  Let me just quickly clarify that I do study International Tourism Management and I have worked in the Hospitality industry for quite a while, so I do have a certain degree of expertise in this topic.
  Right, so it was a couple of months before my birthday so I decided to celebrate it somewhere I've never been before. I've always wanted to visit the city of Amsterdam, so there was a perfect chance. I booked some cheap and cheerful flights from EasyJet and then the hunt for accommodation begun. As I do like trying out new things, I decided to book with a website called HomeAway http://www.homeaway.co.uk/ . Let me just mention, the website itself is really well made and easy to navigate through, so I found myself a nice artsy studio in the harbour area of Amsterdam for around €120 per night - http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p3871540 . As you can see it's a pretty cool looking place, if you're also cool with doing your toilet and bath business in front of your partner! Yes, you read right, the toilet is in the corner of this huge space, hiding behind a little wall, which kills any sort of comfort let alone romance. Please someone let me know if that is a typical dutch thing and I am just being a snob. Another thing you might not be comfortable with is the noise. Music from early till late and people coming back from a night out being loud in the flat and waking you up without any consent. Another dutch thing? Let me know! 
  Anyway, the city itself - gorgeous and dangerous. You can admire the architecture for ours, eat delicious food for days and getting lost in the canal belt is just pure fun. 




A couple of yummy finds were SLA: http://ilovesla.com/en/, where I had my first wheatgrass shot:




and The Seafood Bar: http://www.theseafoodbar.nl/en/, where I had an amazing b-day dinner.




 I also enjoyed getting about by bike as you just ride and enjoy the prettiness around you...UNTIL rush hour! When I found myself on a really busy street in a really hectic situation and this happened: 



In short, I spent my birthday in a wheelchair!!!
In long, I was on a busy street in rush hour with a bike way bigger and heavier for my 163cm pretty weak body. A guy cut me off on the street and I ended up falling off the bike, hurting my ankle. Nearly passed out from the pain, I had to get people to call an ambulance, which got me to the nearest hospital, where luckily I found out my ankle wasn't fractured. Being ME, I've lost my EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) and had to pay €175 fee and then eventually another invoice which is coming to my address later. When will I learn?!?! I have to say I was impressed with the people who helped me on the street and the medical staff - absolutely brilliant! 

  Unfortunately, because of that unpleasant accident I only managed to see one touristy thing which was 'The Heineken Experience', which was interesting. I now know how beer is made and the great thing about it is that it comes with a free gift and a short boat trip. How clever!  



  The things the city is most famous for - legalised weed and prostitution I have quite mixed opinions for so I wouldn't really comment on those but as an expert I could say that the local population could potentially suffer from the impact of the specific kind of tourists the city attracts with this king of 'attractions'.

Lessons learned:
1. Double and triple check your accommodation.
If booking an accommodation with an unknown to you platform such as airbnb and homeaway, always double and triple check the details and try and find out as much as possible about the property in advance. DO NOT book if not certain it meets your criteria.
2.  European Health Insurance Card
If an European citizen - DO NOT forget your European Health Insurance Card. If you don't have one -Get One!
3.  Instagram = Food
When traveling, look on Instagram for places to eat, searching hashtags such as #Amsterdameats #Amterdamfood in my case. Found both my favourite places on there.
4. Be careful and prepare for the worst!
 I know I sound like a grandma, but I learned the hard way.