ESCAPE (^) | MY CITY
How long have you lived in the city?
Itblowsmymindtothinkthat2019marksmytenth
year living here. Amsterdam stole my heart on my very
firstvisit(Iwasaroundsix)andduringmychildhood
anduniversitydaysIkeptcomingbackbecauseI
alwaysfeltaspecialconnectiontothecity.In2009I
movedoverherefromFloridareadyforanadventure...
andthat’sexactlywhatIgot!
Tell us what makes your city unique.
Amsterdam offers the unique dichotomy of a vibrant
yetmellowatmosphere.It’smorelikeabigvillagethan
ametropolis.Ofcourse,wehavetheinfamousRed
LightDistrictbutwealsohave75museums
showcasingarangeofhistoryandculture,aspecial
creative atmosphere and laid-back vibe.
What is it like in March?
In early March Amsterdam is still asleep under a
wintryhazebutduringthemonthlittlehintsof
colourfulsalvationbegintopopup–fromcrocus
andtulipstobuddingelmtreesalongthecanals.
Amsterdamcanhostallfourseasonsinonedayso
layering up is crucial, especially in spring.
What time of day do you most enjoy?
Asaphotographeritwouldhavetobegoldenhour.
Duringspringthere’samagicalsoftglowinthelate
afternoon.Ilovecatchingaviewofthegoldenlight
shimmering off the water. Sometimes I can’t help but
hopoffmybikeandsnapaphoto.
What’s the nature like?
Amsterdam is surprisingly green. Parks of all sizes are
sprinkledacrossthecity.TheNetherlandsisoften
called the Lowlands, given the proximity to sea level,
andthisrelativelyflatpatchoflandmakesiteasytoget
aroundonabike.Thecentreisfilledwitholdbrick
buildings, many wonky due to age and wear. The city
openslikeafanspanningoutintothewebofcanals.
Where’s your favourite outdoor space?
Vondelparkisalittlemicrocosmwithinthecitycentre.
Despitetheparkbeingquitebusy,thereareplentyof
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- There’s no better way to get to the heart
of a city than through the people who live
there. Every month we ask someone,
clearly in love with their city, to take us on
a personal tour and tell us what makes it
so special. You may feel inspired to visit
one day or to rediscover the charms of a
city closer to you, but for now just sit back,
relax and enjoy some vicarious travel.
1 Canals, bicycles
and many-storeyed
townhouses... it could
only be Amsterdam!
(^2) Twin-turreted
Rijksmuseum towers
on the skyline.
(^3) Kaas, kaas
everywhere at the
300-year-old
NooderMarkt.
(^4) They’re called
crow-step gables
(you’re welcome).
(^5) Admiring the city
from the water is a
must-do, says Lily