Amsterdam in Black and White

Amsterdam in Black and White

I like the simplicity and striking contrast of black and white photography. It gives each photo a calmer, more nostalgic feeling.

My First Impression

I remember hopping off the train at Amsterdam Centraal and walking out past the gates very clearly. Some of my thoughts included: Damn. It’s so crowded here. There are so many people! I’m hungry. Where is my hostel? 

This is what I get for visiting during the high travel season, I thought to myself. That, however, did not stop me from enjoying the city. I had a great time exploring the city with my hostel mates and even got cool recommendations from a friend who I met in Galway. He told me to explore De Pijp, a super cute and local neighbourhood in the south of Amsterdam.

Hidden Gems

I spent half a day on my own in De Pijp and it was great. There were few tourists and the atmosphere was super relaxed and peaceful. My time was spent strolling along the quaint streets, having some fabulous baked goods and coffee, visiting the Albert Cuyp market and enjoying fresh stroopwafels.

The rest of my time in Amsterdam was spent in the central part of town, visiting all those “must-see” places that the travel guides tell you about. I did however take an amazing bike tour from We Bike Amsterdam. We biked about 30 kilometres into the beautiful countryside of Amsterdam and it was fabulous. I should have worn sunscreen though, because that day was very sunny and I came back to my hostel with a sick sunglasses tan and a peeling nose…

-Chewy