Travel
Amsterdam
(Contiuned from Previous Page)
Did you book some extra time? There’s enough in Amsterdam to keep you busy for months. What about things that are easy on the pocketbook? Well, there’s not quite as many of those but you can still definitely find things that fill that (lack of) bill. Hundreds of years of history and culture can be found if you look in the right places.
Albert Cuypmarkt – This open air market has a real old world feel (not surprising really, this is the old world, after all, and this particular market is over a hundred years old). It only costs if you buy something. Any of the hundreds of shopkeepers will gladly haggle with you over fish or handbags, fruit or jewelry, sunglasses or cigarettes. If, perhaps, you’re looking for the latest in European fashion, it’s all here – along with a few street performers too!
Bloemenmarkt - Amsterdam isn’t just wood shoes, windmills and IBC conventions! This city has specialized in flowers for hundreds of years. This particular market is located on Amsterdam’s Singel Canal. That’s right ON the canal. The market is housed in several barges floating on the water. So get your sea legs and come and smell the tulips! There are so many smells and colors here your senses will be working overtime.
Canal Ring - Did you know that Amsterdam has more canals than Venice? This area is over 300 years old and small cafes line the area. Have a seat with your travel buddy, grab an espresso and talk about Amsterdam, then the IBC show, then the Canals, then something else. There’s plenty to do and see and say here. The Canal ring has been named a world heritage site by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization).
Civic Guard Gallery - In this small free Amsterdam Museum hangs a veritable gawk-fest of Golden Age portraits in the arcade by its entrance. It also has old portraits of some of Amsterdam’s past and current elite. The civic guard is essentially a social club/charity society for some of Amsterdam’s wealthiest citizens. Paintings of the ancient and modern grace the walls here. Modern portraits of many Dutch celebrities can be found here. Looking at the exhibits is free. But they charge you for the beer.
EYE Film Institute - If you want to keep a media theme going with your IBC trip to Amsterdam this year, you might consider a visit to Amsterdam’s EYE Film Institute. This stunning building is an art house, cinema, and museum all in one. A bar and restaurant grace the premises as well. Prices (for everything) inside this one-of-a-kind structure range from free to around a maximum of 20 euros.
Heritage Days - The Amsterdam Heritage Days are an annual event. Amsterdam will be 739 years old this year in October. The event lands on September 13th and 14th. On these two days, more than 60 of the cities monuments are open to the public without the usual charge. Each participating monumental site has tours available in English (and Dutch of Course). More info on this can be found at www.iamsterdam.com/heritagedays
Getting around in Amsterdam can be confusing, to say the least. Navigation there is as easy as interesting as it is in Venice. The public transit system includes bicycles (with rental bicycles available), buses, foot traffic, ferries (Some paid some free), Metro, trains, trams and taxis. The Metro is being expanded right now and work is underway to enlarge the subway system, so colossal digging machines are rearranging things far below the city. If you want to take a free peek at this massive undertaking, just go down the stairs in the middle of Rokin Street. Be warned though - it starts to rumble when the tram shoots by overhead!
To find your way, first things first: get a good map, and don’t be afraid to mark it or highlight things. In Amsterdam, address numbers increase as you go east and decrease as you go west. Don’t expect your internal radar to let you find your way; builders have had centuries upon centuries to make the streets and canals here interesting. Chuck your pride out the window and politely ask a local for directions. ENJOY!!!
45
Broadcast Beat Magazine / Sep-Dec, 2014