Street Art in Amsterdam

Amsterdam can be classified as unique in many ways, but one of its most distinguishing characteristics is its street art. While I'm not a fan of absentminded graffiti that's created strictly for vandalism's sake, I think the beauty and talent found in real street art is completely underrated. I especially respect the work of artists such as Banksy who address controversial topics in their art, producing images mixed with satire and politics. 

The unusual and polemic street art found in Amsterdam makes the city stand out among others. My favorite street art in Amsterdam is on Spuistraat, right by Dam Square, but other intriguing images can be found scattered throughout the city. I have a newfound appreciation for street art after this trip - so I'll definitely be on the lookout for more this year!

Amsterdam

Last time I was in Amsterdam in 2011, I felt like I hardly had enough time to explore much of the city. When the time came for me to leave only after a few short days, I was already dying to come back. Thankfully, my little sis from my sorority just moved to Amsterdam to work as an au pair, which made for the perfect excuse to visit again!

The Netherlands will always feel special to me because my heritage is mostly Dutch. (Yes, in case you were wondering where a strange last name like "Likkel" comes from, I blame Holland entirely.) I loved being able to get in touch with my Dutch roots while exploring all of what Amsterdam has to offer. 

Part of what makes me fall head over heels in love with Amsterdam is how drastically different it is from Madrid. Charming brick buildings with intricate façades line the quaint canals, while curving cobblestone streets lead you to picturesque waterways and cozy cafés. The city's unusual architecture and colors of vibrant simplicity left me awestruck. Not to mention, Dutch people are incredibly friendly. If I ever looked lost, strangers would stop to ask me if I would like directions or if needed help getting anywhere. 

We had originally planned a day trip to either Groningen or Utrecht, but our plans fell by the wayside when I accidentally ate a bagel with gluten on Friday morning and was violently ill for the entire weekend. Celiac problems, much?  (In my defense, I ordered a gluten free bagel... but the restaurant accidentally served me a regular one. So of course I was raving, "Wow this tastes so good, I can't even tell that it's gluten free!" Uh huh. I was sick for five days. Celiac disease is a real and miserable thing, my friends.)

"Gluten poisoning" aside, I still had a marvelous time discovering the city with new eyes. Yes, I felt miserable, but I didn't let that get in the way of enjoying my time in Amsterdam. One of the many benefits of traveling is learning how to overcome adversity, am I right?

Holland feels like a cozy home away from home, because so many things reminded me of my family and my childhood. One day I'd love to spend an extended period of time in The Netherlands and get to know the rest of the country, including all of the places like Hardenberg, Lutten and Dalfsen where my family originally comes from. Amsterdam is a city where I could actually see myself living, so who knows, maybe one day that'll be going on my bucket list too. Until then, I'll be dreaming of someday returning to Holland and immersing myself in my Dutch roots once again.

Defining Home: "Livable" vs "Visitable"

One of the things that I love the most about Madrid is how it reminds me of Seattle. Now before you think I’m certifiably insane, let me clarify that Madrid is the polar opposite of Seattle in many ways. This I can attest to every single day – both the good and the bad. What stands out to me the most is how both Seattle and Madrid are the perfect "livable" cities for me.

Both cities lack the typical sights and attractions that appeal to tourists and newcomers alike. They’re underrated. Sure, there are many notable sights worth seeing, like Pike Place Market and the Museo del Prado, but in no way do they compare to places like Rome or New York City. Truth be told, I would feel particularly overwhelmed – and most likely miserable – if I were to live in one of the aforementioned cities. They're beautiful places that I love visiting, but could I actually make a life there for the longterm? No way.

What Madrid and Seattle may lack in attractions that give certain places a “top-of-the-bucket-list” appeal, they make up for in community and character. I don’t feel insignificant in Seattle or Madrid. Both cities have welcoming vibes that invite you to create a home there. While they are technically big cities, neither actually feel that big. Madrid and Seattle have agreeable personalities, and I’ve been able to settle down in both places.

Although technically I am living in one of the largest cities in Europe, Madrid often feels like a small town to me.

When people come to visit me in Madrid, I want to warn them that it’s not like Paris, London or Barcelona, where you feel like you couldn’t fit in all of the sights even if you were there for two weeks. Much like Seattle, the main tourist attractions in Madrid can be seen in a day and a half, two days maximum. The real magic of Madrid lies in the unconventional tourist experiences, like people watching in Parque del Buen Retiro. Drinking tinto de verano in a sunny plaza. Taking several coffee breaks throughout the day to refuel in charming cafés. Wandering through quaint neighborhoods free of tourists, stopping to admire the architecture and observe the bustling streets. Stopping by the local market for a glass of wine and a tapa or two, even if it’s not lunchtime. This is the lifestyle of Spain, and it should be celebrated accordingly.

Naturally, drinking tinto de verano in the middle of the day is part of the ideal Madrid experience.

To the traveler who is constantly on the go, all of this could seem like a royal waste of time. I’ve encountered many travelers who are disappointed by Madrid because they compare it to Barcelona. What they don’t realize is that the drastically different energies of both places simply cannot be compared. If you were to visit Seattle right after visiting NYC with the same expectations for both cities, you would probably feel disappointed too.

Now, it would be unfair to generalize and proclaim that everyone is just like me. While living in New York City would seem like a nightmare to me, some of my very best friends live there and thrive off its energy. While I am in sync with Madrid, I have several good friends here who are eager to move to smaller towns in Spain next year. Four years ago I clashed with Cádiz and was miserable for five months, but here in Madrid I’ve lived in harmony for almost six months. Everybody vibes with different cities. Your compatibility with a place can profoundly affect your experience of living there.

When I first arrived in Madrid I came across this quote, and it’s taken me until now to fully internalize its relevance. Yet, now I feel as if it has accurately summed up my life in Madrid thus far:

“Porque Madrid, en realidad, no es nada especial. No tiene un gran río. Ni apenas rascacielos. Ni canales, ni lagos. Ni gloriosas ruinas. Ni mar. A Madrid le faltan muchas cosas. Pero tiene la gente por las calles. El rincón inesperado. La variedad. El contraste. La animación constante. Y sus costumbres. Vale la pena levantarse temprano – solo por una vez – para vivir un día la vida de Madrid.”

"Because Madrid, in reality, is nothing special. It doesn't have a great river. Nor does it have many skyscrapers. Or canals or lakes. Or glorious ruins. Or the sea. Madrid lacks a lot of things. But it has people in the streets. The unexpected street corners. The variety. The contrast. Constant liveliness. And it has its customs. It's worth getting up early - just once - to live the life of Madrid for one day."

Madrid may lack certain things, but it sure is beautiful.

What defines home for you? Are there certain cities that you clash with, or are extremely compatible with? How do you differentiate places that you like visiting versus places that you can see yourself living in?