Considering the tight roads and small spaces, I must praise the superior "attention to detail" that keeps the Netherlands so CLEAN! For people from America, that's marvelous.
Sanitation workers vacuumed cigarette butts from special receptacles.
"Volunteer cleaning" is widespread as part of the culture.
By the next day, all of the stages were disassembled, bleachers removed, roads swept, plazas washed, and trashcans emptied. The city swiftly returned to equilibrium.
Regarding trashcans, theirs are smartly designed: nobody gets dirty when dealing with garbage. Containment is a key factor; it explains why we never saw a rat or cockroach. Instead of using hands to lift dirty lids or push stained doors, foot levers open the garbage pails. Lewis demonstrates in this picture...
Compare that to a typical corner at pricey Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, seen below like a pigsty or third-world city!
Nothing like that exists in NYC or its expensive boroughs. Residential NYC sidewalks are usually obstructed/dirtied like this...
In the steamy summer, the odor is putrid! That stench lures vermin and bugs. Yet, the wealthiest city in the USA doesn't want to invest in containment or cleanliness.
As you can see, the Dutch responsibly invest taxes for infrastructure and upgrades. We also saw maintenance men in a Mercedes Unimog truck, like this...
... efficiently cleaning tram rails (without delaying trams). That's one of them, below.
We also saw construction teams repairing tram tracks (without suspending service),
...and hammering pavement stones to even them out, so no one tripped.
If you laugh and wonder why we're impressed with cleanliness, let me show you a comparison of what NYC—which costs much more to live in—gives its taxpayers:
Commuter headrests are coated in grime/filth (including the MetroNorth trains for wealthy Westchester and Connecticut).
NYC's transit agency syphons millions of monthly dollars, yet neglects infrastructure, tracks, stations, subway trains, signage, broken elevators, a lack of air vents, a lack of handicap accessibility (despite decades of lawsuits), signals, or electrical wiring from the 1930s. For its vast system, it only has 3 track-cleaning machines... but only one works. The only other type of cleaning involves brooms—like a poor village.
It looks like a third-world country!
*In our hotel, we met a man from London who visited NYC twice. He asked why New York's government allows the city to be so disgusting? Why don't they care? Why do the citizens condone it? It looks very neglected, yet the city collects a lot of money—certainly more money than Amsterdam does. Without answers, we merely agreed. We detest it, too.
With less ridership and less revenue than NYC—and existing for less time—Amsterdam's Metro supremely outclasses NYC's. They built all of it for a population of 1.1 million, while NYC demands high taxes from its 8.5 million but avoids upgrades to mass transit... as well as airports, trains, flood prevention, roads, and electricity.
Look at Amsterdam's Metro stations: crystal-clear glass, and spotless floors. My kind of city!
Instead of waiting 20-30 minutes for NYC's buses (if they come at all—especially in bad weather), Amsterdam's buses and trams arrive merely minutes apart. Such dependable efficiency lessens the need for individual cars.
Notice how CLEAN that Metro door button is! Lewis and I melt with admiration of such a society.
While lunching at Ô Mai—a tasty Vietnamese restaurant in the City Center—we admired how the condiment bottles were clean. (That's how they should be).
Under a canal, their ingenious parking facility at the Albert Cuypmarkt is a testament to civic planning for the betterment of society!
The Dutch Bike System is astounding and unsurpassed. It's better than the system that we saw in Copenhagen! *To see that trip, please click this link:
Feeling safe and secure enables homeowners to have mailbox slots—trustingly giving slight access to their homes.
*Note: Amsterdam's first mailboxes resembled England's red "pillar boxes". Years ago, trams had mailboxes, too.
Now mailboxes are orange: the national color. Before being privatized, PostNL was called Royal Mail. It kept the crown logo. Instead of being a cost for the government, it pays corporate income tax.
Postal workers deliver via bikes, electric scooters, and vans. Demonstrating their immense efficiency, something posted one day arrives at its destination on the next day!
Feeling safe allows citizens to keep their front doors open—even at street-level. Many times, Lewis and I walked by and noticed doors open all the way, and we could see people inside, reading, cutting vegetables in their kitchen, using their computers, eating breakfast, or practicing instruments. Like much of Europe, they are unafraid of rodents or burglars. Amsterdam was ranked as Europe's safest city... and the 4th-safest city in the world, per the 2019 Economist's Safe Cities Index.
Many stores did the same thing.
Compare that to homes in NYC, where taxpayers live in self-made cages, behind protective bars.
A big thing that impressed us was the orderliness and affordability of food stores. Even a small convenience store surprised us by having an affordable array of fresh fruit, cheese, salami, wine, and freshly-made food from its own kitchen. You will not find that in most of New York, where such stores sell "junk food" full of corn syrup and preservatives.
Sterk (which means Strong) operates two stores and is well-regarded for its supply of 1,200 different beers and ciders. It began in the 1950s and is known to every Amsterdammer. The family-business also sells locally-made chocolate, bread, honey, and ice cream.
They bake bread four times a day. We love fresh bread! I stood over them and couldn't decide. Ha ha!
We liked the fact that they use spelt flour. That is something we don't see often in NYC (the largest city in America).
Seen below, a scrumptious dessert—which we bought several times—was Boterkoek (Butter Cake): 4 squares for €1.99.
Another favorite was this organic ice cream. Frozen Dutch is made in Amsterdam from local raw materials that change with the seasons. It's delectable and sustainably-made!
Organically-made cheese is available at amazing values. Lewis and I have a partiality for well-made cheese, so we felt like we were in heaven!
(Don't confuse the flags; above is French, and below is Dutch.
The Dutch flag inspired the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which gained independence from the Netherlands in 1890).
The Dutch began making cheese in 800 BC, and the kingdom is the largest cheese—and tomato—exporter in the world. We tried a locally-made goat's-milk bleu (seen above). Lekker!
We appreciated the affordability of everything.
It was amazing to finally see real-sized strawberries!
(instead of the drastically GMO-enlarged ones sold in America).
Look at the prices, and remember that this is a capital city. Lacking greed, they sell healthy options affordably... for the betterment of society (and because their universal healthcare is not profit-driven like America's). That is smart.
The stores sell wine affordably. Of note was Chateau Amsterdam, an urban winery begun in 2017 that sustainably produces 40,000 bottles, using grapes from across Europe. Another option to look for is Wijngaard de Amsteltuin, a vineyard on the southern outskirts of the city.
For the pure convenience of their shoppers, Marqt sells many ready-made meals, as well as sitting areas with microwaves and spare electrical outlets.
Another fair-priced chain is called Ekoplaza; they are a natural biological supermarket. (American "natural" food stores overcharge for the "luxury" of healthy non-GMO food).
Another store with many locations—including the airport—is Albert Heijn, founded in 1887. Environmentally-friendly, they discourage plastic shopping bags; they charge for them—which encourages you to bring your own... which we do.
Since 2015, their handheld scanners allow you to pre-pay for whatever you select, then tap-and-go your debit card at the check-out kiosk, and your receipt opens the exit doors. Such smart, time-saving efficiency!
Their prices for food and wine were great bargains, too. When we hear Americans claim that Europe is "more expensive", we know that they're either ignorant or lying.
At the self-check-out, the kiosk had an option for English.
Albert Heijn possesses a Royal Warrant. Such a boost in reputation is something that retailers dream of. By royal decree, they were issued a copy of the King's coat of arms to adorn their business and signify the award.
The King bestows Royal Warrants on businesses to recognize excellence in various fields.
Certain businesses are awarded the title "Purveyors to the Royal Court of the Netherlands" (Hofleverancier). Larger companies are conferred the honorific predicate "Royal" to use as a prefix.
Onto our final segment!
Compare that to a typical corner at pricey Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, seen below like a pigsty or third-world city!
All over Amsterdam, underground garbage receptacles are used for small businesses and homeowners. Separate bins are for recycling. (Take notice of those metal poles on top of each).
Nothing like that exists in NYC or its expensive boroughs. Residential NYC sidewalks are usually obstructed/dirtied like this...
In the steamy summer, the odor is putrid! That stench lures vermin and bugs. Yet, the wealthiest city in the USA doesn't want to invest in containment or cleanliness.
One morning, we saw a unique garbage truck. Instead of a crew of three men, only one man did everything. There wasn't much to do, and he didn't have to touch the garbage. The driver steered a mechanical arm that uprooted the garbage bin and emptied it in the truck. It was awesome! Watch this video!!!
... efficiently cleaning tram rails (without delaying trams). That's one of them, below.
We also saw construction teams repairing tram tracks (without suspending service),
...and hammering pavement stones to even them out, so no one tripped.
The Metro is also thoroughly cleaned regularly—without suspending service!
Every truck that we saw in Amsterdam was proudly washed (it reminded us of Japan)... even the street-sweepers!
Every truck that we saw in Amsterdam was proudly washed (it reminded us of Japan)... even the street-sweepers!
If you laugh and wonder why we're impressed with cleanliness, let me show you a comparison of what NYC—which costs much more to live in—gives its taxpayers:
Commuter headrests are coated in grime/filth (including the MetroNorth trains for wealthy Westchester and Connecticut).
Some trains are from the 1970s and haven't been updated.
That is atrocious when you realize that 4% of NYC sales tax (for everything purchased in NYC) is given to Commuter Transportation... and its ridership fares are the highest.
Monopolistic Long Island Railroad commuter trains with overpaid employees are still dirty, unwashed, and strewn with garbage.
The seats are put too close together (like a greedy airline). People rudely put dirty shoes on them... and are rarely stopped by highly-overpaid conductors.
It looks like a third-world country!
With less ridership and less revenue than NYC—and existing for less time—Amsterdam's Metro supremely outclasses NYC's. They built all of it for a population of 1.1 million, while NYC demands high taxes from its 8.5 million but avoids upgrades to mass transit... as well as airports, trains, flood prevention, roads, and electricity.
Look at Amsterdam's Metro stations: crystal-clear glass, and spotless floors. My kind of city!
Instead of waiting 20-30 minutes for NYC's buses (if they come at all—especially in bad weather), Amsterdam's buses and trams arrive merely minutes apart. Such dependable efficiency lessens the need for individual cars.
Trains, trams, and their glass-walled "shelters" are spotless.
Notice how CLEAN that Metro door button is! Lewis and I melt with admiration of such a society.
While lunching at Ô Mai—a tasty Vietnamese restaurant in the City Center—we admired how the condiment bottles were clean. (That's how they should be).
Compare it to NYC: look at the bottle tops and teapot.
Under a canal, their ingenious parking facility at the Albert Cuypmarkt is a testament to civic planning for the betterment of society!
Let me clarify that it's not a "bike culture"; it's everyday normalcy... which should be the situation in many parts of the world.
The Netherlands has more bicycles per capita than any other European country. They prioritized their infrastructure to make it safe, too. Helmets are not mandatory, but the King did apply his Royal Assent to make it illegal if your bike doesn't have a bell or lights.
The Netherlands has more bicycles per capita than any other European country. They prioritized their infrastructure to make it safe, too. Helmets are not mandatory, but the King did apply his Royal Assent to make it illegal if your bike doesn't have a bell or lights.
Click the link of this well-made video that explains how cycling improves life in Amsterdam:
Bike lanes are separate from the sidewalks, car lanes, and tram lanes.
In narrow parts of the city, bikes and vehicles calmly share.
You can own or rent "cargo bikes".
Thoughtful infrastructure encourages cycling, which is enviornmentally cleaner, healthier, safer, and more efficient.
Ramps assist you bringing your tires over stairs.
Compare that to risky bike lanes in Manhattan, which look like typical failures of half-hearted/unenforced attempts. Who can use them? Who would want to try?
In Amsterdam, cyclists and pedestrians have their own traffic lights—with countdown clocks.
Ingeniously, traffic lights sense approaching cyclists and give them seamless priority over automobiles. If cyclists accumulate at an intersection, the traffic signals alter to accommodate them with longer red lights against cars. There are rain-sensing traffic lights that do the same (people in cars can wait longer).
Citizens are able to make excursions and commutes via excellent cycling paths (fietspad) and bike-only bridges.
With an upbeat soundtrack, this is a GREAT video of what it's like to be a cyclist in Amsterdam...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3GLadvE-Qg
Most cities are gridlocked and incapacitated during New Year's Eve, but not Amsterdam. Watch this video to realize how easy it is to bike across the city—even on New Year's Eve! Cars are delayed (yet notice the lack of angry car horns), but bicycles, pedestrians, and trams go easily...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MMpKnfT5oU
Canal and river water is cleaner than years ago, too. Houseboats are connected to sewers, rubbish is removed, and water quality is closely monitored. Each year, Amsterdam City Swim raises charity money, and even Queen Máxima swam in the canal water. The Royal Dutch Swimming Federation hosts Open Water events in Amsterdam.
Regattas occur, and you see kayaking, canoeing, sailing, motorboating, and the Hawaiian sport of paddle-boarding. Part of the Royal Dutch Rowing Federation, the (King) Willem III Rowing Club (begun 1882) situated its boathouse on the Amstel River. So did the Royal Amsterdam Rowing & Sailing Association (founded 1848).
You can even pick up pizza for your boat party!
Augmenting the Police are members of Supervision & Enforcement (Toezicht en Handhaving). They keep people accountable, reduce loitering, prohibit improper usage of public spaces, tow vehicles, and reduce public nuisances.
Parkeercontrole deploys electric cars to enforce parking regulations. Improperly-parked vehicles—and ones with overdue fines—are scanned by cameras on top of the cars.
That's impressive high-tech infrastructure.
It is easy to get around on a bicycle!
Bike lanes are separate from the sidewalks, car lanes, and tram lanes.
In narrow parts of the city, bikes and vehicles calmly share.
You can own or rent "cargo bikes".
Thoughtful infrastructure encourages cycling, which is enviornmentally cleaner, healthier, safer, and more efficient.
Ramps assist you bringing your tires over stairs.
Compare that to risky bike lanes in Manhattan, which look like typical failures of half-hearted/unenforced attempts. Who can use them? Who would want to try?
In Amsterdam, cyclists and pedestrians have their own traffic lights—with countdown clocks.
Ingeniously, traffic lights sense approaching cyclists and give them seamless priority over automobiles. If cyclists accumulate at an intersection, the traffic signals alter to accommodate them with longer red lights against cars. There are rain-sensing traffic lights that do the same (people in cars can wait longer).
Crossing the street is a short-wait situation. Press a button and within moments, pedestrians and cyclists have the "right of way". A non-intrusive sound indicates when you can cross the street. Please enjoy my quick video and turn the sound on...
At curves in the road, warnings indicate approaching trams.
Stores, transit stations, and offices have bike storage facilities.
Being tech savvy, the aisles have video screens that indicate how many parking spaces are available.
Citizens are able to make excursions and commutes via excellent cycling paths (fietspad) and bike-only bridges.
The Netherlands will premiere the world's first bio-asphalt paving, made from a plant-based material!
Lewis and I observed "after work" Rush Hour—which was remarkably calm and orderly, thanks to the cycling pattern and people's well-bred courtesy and patience.
With an upbeat soundtrack, this is a GREAT video of what it's like to be a cyclist in Amsterdam...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3GLadvE-Qg
Most cities are gridlocked and incapacitated during New Year's Eve, but not Amsterdam. Watch this video to realize how easy it is to bike across the city—even on New Year's Eve! Cars are delayed (yet notice the lack of angry car horns), but bicycles, pedestrians, and trams go easily...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MMpKnfT5oU
In fact, most people don't rush home after work; they linger for an aperitif or glass of wine.
Canal and river water is cleaner than years ago, too. Houseboats are connected to sewers, rubbish is removed, and water quality is closely monitored. Each year, Amsterdam City Swim raises charity money, and even Queen Máxima swam in the canal water. The Royal Dutch Swimming Federation hosts Open Water events in Amsterdam.
Regattas occur, and you see kayaking, canoeing, sailing, motorboating, and the Hawaiian sport of paddle-boarding. Part of the Royal Dutch Rowing Federation, the (King) Willem III Rowing Club (begun 1882) situated its boathouse on the Amstel River. So did the Royal Amsterdam Rowing & Sailing Association (founded 1848).
You can even pick up pizza for your boat party!
Many drivers utilize micro-cars; they are quick, fuel efficient, maneuverable, and easy to park.
Another clever vehicle is the electric scooter, which is used to transport children between school, day-trips, and their homes.
Politie constables regularly patrol the city on bicycles, horses, boats, and (Mercedes) cars.
Parkeercontrole deploys electric cars to enforce parking regulations. Improperly-parked vehicles—and ones with overdue fines—are scanned by cameras on top of the cars.
That's impressive high-tech infrastructure.
Feeling safe and secure enables homeowners to have mailbox slots—trustingly giving slight access to their homes.
*Note: Amsterdam's first mailboxes resembled England's red "pillar boxes". Years ago, trams had mailboxes, too.
Now mailboxes are orange: the national color. Before being privatized, PostNL was called Royal Mail. It kept the crown logo. Instead of being a cost for the government, it pays corporate income tax.
Postal workers deliver via bikes, electric scooters, and vans. Demonstrating their immense efficiency, something posted one day arrives at its destination on the next day!
Many stores did the same thing.
A big thing that impressed us was the orderliness and affordability of food stores. Even a small convenience store surprised us by having an affordable array of fresh fruit, cheese, salami, wine, and freshly-made food from its own kitchen. You will not find that in most of New York, where such stores sell "junk food" full of corn syrup and preservatives.
Sterk (which means Strong) operates two stores and is well-regarded for its supply of 1,200 different beers and ciders. It began in the 1950s and is known to every Amsterdammer. The family-business also sells locally-made chocolate, bread, honey, and ice cream.
We snacked at STACH, which specializes in healthy "ready to eat" meals, juices, and baked goods from their own kitchens. Without additives, each high-quality item is made daily. The counter girl recommended their vegan chicken avocado sandwich with jackfruit, but we got sweets (made without extra sugars). Purchasable reusable coffee cups are made of bamboo (the world's fastest growing plant), to avoid paper wastage.
Sprinkled throughout the city, from 9AM-9PM, Marqt stores offer healthy/sustainably-made food, responsibly-harvested fish, wine, and delicacies from across Europe... at a fraction of the prices found at American supermarkets.
They bake bread four times a day. We love fresh bread! I stood over them and couldn't decide. Ha ha!
We liked the fact that they use spelt flour. That is something we don't see often in NYC (the largest city in America).
Seen below, a scrumptious dessert—which we bought several times—was Boterkoek (Butter Cake): 4 squares for €1.99.
Another favorite was this organic ice cream. Frozen Dutch is made in Amsterdam from local raw materials that change with the seasons. It's delectable and sustainably-made!
Organically-made cheese is available at amazing values. Lewis and I have a partiality for well-made cheese, so we felt like we were in heaven!
(Don't confuse the flags; above is French, and below is Dutch.
The Dutch flag inspired the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which gained independence from the Netherlands in 1890).
The Dutch began making cheese in 800 BC, and the kingdom is the largest cheese—and tomato—exporter in the world. We tried a locally-made goat's-milk bleu (seen above). Lekker!
*To see "cheese" that is gobbled in America, please use this link:
We appreciated the affordability of everything.
It was amazing to finally see real-sized strawberries!
(instead of the drastically GMO-enlarged ones sold in America).
You cannot buy pâté at this price in America—not even at Trader Joe's. We were ebulliently on "Cloud Nine"!
Look at the prices, and remember that this is a capital city. Lacking greed, they sell healthy options affordably... for the betterment of society (and because their universal healthcare is not profit-driven like America's). That is smart.
The stores sell wine affordably. Of note was Chateau Amsterdam, an urban winery begun in 2017 that sustainably produces 40,000 bottles, using grapes from across Europe. Another option to look for is Wijngaard de Amsteltuin, a vineyard on the southern outskirts of the city.
For the pure convenience of their shoppers, Marqt sells many ready-made meals, as well as sitting areas with microwaves and spare electrical outlets.
Another fair-priced chain is called Ekoplaza; they are a natural biological supermarket. (American "natural" food stores overcharge for the "luxury" of healthy non-GMO food).
Another store with many locations—including the airport—is Albert Heijn, founded in 1887. Environmentally-friendly, they discourage plastic shopping bags; they charge for them—which encourages you to bring your own... which we do.
Since 2015, their handheld scanners allow you to pre-pay for whatever you select, then tap-and-go your debit card at the check-out kiosk, and your receipt opens the exit doors. Such smart, time-saving efficiency!
Their prices for food and wine were great bargains, too. When we hear Americans claim that Europe is "more expensive", we know that they're either ignorant or lying.
At the self-check-out, the kiosk had an option for English.
Albert Heijn possesses a Royal Warrant. Such a boost in reputation is something that retailers dream of. By royal decree, they were issued a copy of the King's coat of arms to adorn their business and signify the award.
The King bestows Royal Warrants on businesses to recognize excellence in various fields.
Certain businesses are awarded the title "Purveyors to the Royal Court of the Netherlands" (Hofleverancier). Larger companies are conferred the honorific predicate "Royal" to use as a prefix.
As final indicator of Amsterdam's culture, I am thrilled to say that during our 168 hours there, we only heard a car honk its horn once, only heard a police siren once, and only heard an aggressively-loud car stereo once. Only once did someone push into me: an elderly man unaware of himself. During all of our public transportation usage, we only saw one beggar, and nobody shoved to exit a tram or Metro. Overall, it was a delight to have so few instances!
We also love the serenity that the residential areas achieve in the evenings. Enjoy this quick video of a waterside view near a tram platform on a typical street. Turn the sound on...
Onto our final segment!
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