Sunday, 23 June 2013

Door de ogen van een Amsterdammer (“Through the eyes of an Amsterdamer”): Day 3


After a morning dose of Two for Joy, Martha and I made a beeline for the Lindengracht, a neighborhood market in the Jordaan district known for its fresh fish, flowers, and fruits and veggies. Here, we feasted on a giant stroopwafel and then, Hollandse haring (Dutch herring), which is served raw, with onions and a sliced pickle. Heerlijk!


Afterwards, we biked to and walked around de Negen Straatjes. Named after the nine side streets connecting the main canals between Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat, and with over 200 independent, specialty shops, this quaint little ’hood is widely regarded by locals as the “Soho of Amsterdam.”


We then took the free ferry across the IJ to Overhoeks and grabbed lunch at the EYE Film Institute Netherlands, where Martha works. She suggested that we each have a kroket, a breaded, deep-fried cylinder filled with veal ragout that is typical Dutch grub. It was delightful.


Though not the biggest fan of Heineken, I was itching to get back on the tourist trail for the rest of the afternoon. Martha and I decided to check out the Heineken Experience, an interactive attraction on the site of the company’s old brewery. Apart from the free suds (dismissed by locals as “old man’s beer”), the highlight was the 4-D exhibit, where we “became” brewed and bottled beer.


We topped off the evening with homemade pancakes, which are, of course, another Dutch delicacy.

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