COSMO POLITE DINE WINE LEISURE SHOPS KIDS SPA ` `
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ENJOY LIFE IN AMSTERDAM GUIDE
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Cover photo of Eggertstraat nearby Dam Square, Amsterdam Made by Mehul Derodra view portfolio on www.derodra.com mehul@derodra.com
Contributors Graphical design assistance Frederike von Cranach Blogger Babyccino Esther van de Paal esther@babyccinoblog.com Editor Expatica Natasha Gunn natasha.gunn@expatica.com Advertising & Sponsoring Get exposure within the Amsterdam expatriate market. Contact Kira for advertising opportunities: kira@cosmo-polite.com For questions and remarks Please contact kira@cosmo-polite.com
December 2010 Copyright Cosmo Polite 2010 Winter 2010-2011 www.cosmo-polite.com page 2
Dear AMSTERDAM Newcomer It is my pleasure to introduce you to Amsterdam, the global village that I have come to love. Mind you, Amsterdam life was not always as enjoyable. Having lived in Cape Town, I missed the warmness of my Southafrican culture. The vibrant city feel of London is hard to find in Amsterdam. During my assignment in Hong Kong, I became accustomed to service standards that differ greatly to that of the Dutch. However, with my outgoing nature and a bike, I continuously discover bits of New York and other world cities in Amsterdam. As experiences are always better when shared, I enjoy keeping my friends up to date about my cosmopolitan discoveries. From good cocktail bars to authentic French bakeries, I list the best in town on my blog. Why only share information when you can share a bottle of wine? Via my company, Cosmo Polite, I host dinners and drinks for my network of expat friends and newcomers. As long as you leave your tie at work, you are most welcome to join us for drink and bite. Our gatherings always have a informal and social ambiance, so that it easy for you to meet other like-minded individuals in town. In this month’s city guide, I have listed various Cosmo Polite events, other Amsterdam happenings and extracts of my blog. I hope that with this information, you will enjoy your new life in Amsterdam. Met vriendelijke groeten, Kira Founder Cosmo Polite
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DINING & THE CITY DUTCH CUISINE in amsterdam If you would like to explore Dutch cuisine, here’s a list of Amsterdam restaurants serving traditional Dutch food. Dutch cuisine is not an oxymoron and comprises more than a kroket! Greetje - a Dutch Delight. Set in an old Amsterdam house, in a hidden corner of the city, you’ll find pure Amsterdam gezelligheid. Invite your foreign friends from abroad to introduce them to Dutch cuisine, for example stewed veal with a hotchpotch of Friesian lettuce and gravy. I even took my Italian mother-in-law, who appreciated the dishes (naturalmente… it was not as good as cucina italiana). Restaurant Greetje, Peperstraat 23-25, Amsterdam Centre East, T. 77 97 450 Do reserve. Moeders (‘mothers’) - No one cooks better than Mama! This cozy restaurant is decorated with pictures of guests’ their mothers . It is here that I realized that Dutch food is true comfort-food, eg suddervlees (braised steak), hotchpotch and bitterkoekjes ice cream. Portions are good and pricing even better. Being at Moeders is always a pleasant experience. Moeders, Rozengracht 251, Amsterdam Centre, T. 0206267957 Restaurant Spelt - we need to check it out. This Dutch restaurant is on my to-go-visit list: the menu boasts authentic Dutch food as creamy mustard soup and Cruezes Zealand (- Zeeland is a Dutch province on the south of Rotterdam). The restaurant looks styling on pictures. Has anyone already dined here? If so, please reply! Restaurant Spelt, Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 5A, Amsterdam Centre, T. 420 70 22 Winter 2010-2011 www.cosmo-polite.com page 4
Dorrius - not to be missed! Dorrius was already a great success and now, after the refurbishment, the new Dorrius has become a place not to be missed by foreigners. Dorrius shows that traditional restaurants do not need to be dark and brown; at this styling and light restaurant typical Dutch cuisine is served with flair. The well-known herring is on the menu and, for real men, the popular Hunter’s hotpot. Dorrius, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, Amsterdam Centre, T. 420 22 24 Eau de Vie - surprisingly (un)Dutch For years, I thought Dutch haute cuisine is like an African polar bear - it simply does not exist. Little did I know that I had already been enjoying Dutch haute cuisine, as thought the food I was enjoying was of French origin! At Eau de Vie - a classy, small restaurant in Amstedam South- Dutch food is served with such grace and balance, that one easily mixes the two cuisines. Sevice was also unDutch elegant and attentive. Eau de Vie, Maasstraat 20, Rivierenbuurt Amsterdam, T. 662 95 88 De Bokkedoorns- Best Dutch restaurant in the “whole wide world” Hidden in the dunes west of Haarlem, you’ll find De Bokkedoorns - a restaurant that deserves every bit of the two Michelin stars they are awarded each year. The menu and service are of such a high level, it cannot be described. You just need to trust me. De Bokkedoorns, Wethouder van Gelukpark, Zeeweg 53, Overveen, T. 023526 36 00 As we say in Dutch: “eet smakelijk”! Kira PS. Rather disappointing was De Vijff Vlieghen - poor price-quality, may be they are trapped by their own success? © Amsterdamfoodie.nl
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Dutch SOCIAL Culture The Dutch are generally friendly people. If you ask a stranger for directions he’ll be happy to help you. However, the direct way of communicating can border to rudeness in foreigners’ eyes. Putting matters in an elegant way interferes with the Dutch values clarity and structure; surprises are not appreciated, rules are made in great detail and clear boundaries give great comfort to the Dutch. The Dutch’ social life also has clear boundaries. For starters, work and home are kept separate. Some Dutch you’ll meet are happy to teach you things about The Netherlands and have a drink with you. Still, personal space and time are well protected. Social boundaries are not limited to foreigners and locals. The Dutch social life is circular; people keep their different groups of friends (e.g. the old high school friends and the friends from their sports’ club) separately. Only on birthdays may the members of the different groups of friends meet one another. The agenda helps the Dutch keeping their lives organized and wellplanned. Even for a coffee meet up do the Dutch take out their agenda to make the appointment. To get into a Dutch social circle of friends, requires an active attitude and patience. Going to a bar won’t help you to get in first contact with the Dutch; joining some kind of club will be a more fruitful effort to get connected. The Dutch enjoy sports, so joining a team sport might be a great way of meeting people. Friendships grow more slowly than elsewhere, yet Dutch friendships do characterize themselves with great loyalty and equality. Dutch Hospitality Dutch hospitality is not associated with food. Dinners are private family time, so also don’t call Dutch people around dinner time (17h30-19h). When being invited over to someone’s home, you’ll be served coffee (or tea) with biscuits. It is custom to take one biscuit; only when the host offers you more biscuits, you may take another on. In other words, always wait to be served and don’t help yourself.When you’re the host, do offer your guests a second round of coffee as they won’t ask for a refill themselves. - source: Holland Handbook, 2008.
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DO give three kisses or a hand Greeting ritual for good friends & family Good female friends greet each other and men with three 3 air-kisses on the cheeks. Men greet other men with a handshake. The order: right cheek- left cheek - right cheek. Ladies initiate the ritual by placing their right cheek against the right cheek of the other person. An ‘air kiss’ is made; meaning, only the sound of a kiss is made. No lips actually touch the cheek of the other person! Ladies kiss both the gentlemen and women.
DO be gezellig* [gurgle sound]-uh-SELL-lih-[gurgle sound] Gezellig is an untranslated Dutch adjective that is frequently used, even amongst the expats. Whatever is ‘gezellig’ is what we like. What’s Gezellig? -nice friends -spending time with nice friends -a cozy bar, especially when you’re meeting your nice friends -Amsterdam
friendly ambiance chatty ! comforting ! relaxing jolly ! vivacious ! general togetherness cheerful ! gemütlich ! chatty ! animated cozy !
What’s ongezellig? -the situation when your friend needs to work and cannot meet you. -the friend that needs to work and cannot meet you. - a modern bar, especially when you’re sitting
GEZELLIG ! nice
warm setting ! relaxing ! cozy atmosphere charming setting ! pleasant ambiance having a good time together ! airy kind ! sociable ! genial warm hearted
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Do’s & Don’ts ! DON’T show up unexpectedly on your friend’s doorstep. Visits are to be announced, preferably a day in advance. " DO be on time when meeting your friend. It is a sign of respect to your friend, his agenda and your friendship in general. ! DON’T discuss personal matters as political views, salaries and religion. " DO go Dutch. The Dutch really do; everyone pays their share of the bill. It may happen that the bill is completely analysed to calculate everyone’s personal ! DON’T take offense in the Dutch’ humor, which often is sarcastic and or based on ‘Schadenfreude’. Also, Dutch intonation and great, yet not perfect English language skills can easily make a joke more insulting than intended. " DO bring pastries or a birthday cake for colleagues to your work if it’s your birthday. ! DON’T forget to congratulate all relatives of the birthday boy/girl; say, for example ‘congratulations with your brother/ " DO stand when someone is being introduced to you. Give a firm handshake and say your first and last name. ! DON’T approach someone with your question. Rather, start of with 'Excuse me, may I ask you something?'
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Expats in Amsterdam The expatriates in Amsterdam are more easy to befriend. For starters, they all find themselves in a foreign town without family and friends ‘from back home’. Secondly, the international ways of socializing allows it to meet and befriend people more easily and quickly. Yet again: you do need to get out there and put yourself in situations where you can meet people. There are numerous of expat groups in Amsterdam; e.g. the British society, International Women’s Club, Hash (running) club, etc. Google online expatriate groups and also on Facebook you can find groups of expatriates that are happy to have you amongst them. Cosmo Polite Cosmo Polite is the only professionally run social club for internationally oriented men and women in Amsterdam. Most of us are in their 30s and enjoy socializing over a glass of wine. On this page you’ll find when and where we’re meeting up and you are welcome to join us for a drink. Cosmo Polite HomePage
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Guide TO OV-CHIPKAART by EXPATICA
Here’s our guide to the new OV-chipkaart system, which is already in exclusive use in Rotterdam and which is currently being phased into the Netherlands through other major Dutch cities. Buying and crediting a card The cards are issued anonymously or for a named individual. Anonymous card Currently, you buy an anonymous card ‘for free’ at EUR 5; this money is counted toward your credit. You ‘load’ the anonymous smart-card at a vending machine. You can buy an anonymous card at tabacs or public transport stations in major Dutch cities and regions which have gone over to the smart-card system. This card cannot be a reduction card. Anyone entitled to a reduction, apart from university students who order one via a different route, needs to apply for an individual card from the GVB. Individual card You can apply for the individual card by post or online. You must supply a passportsized photo and in the case of an online application, you scan your photo and upload it to the system. Go the OV-chipkaart site (click on the UK version for English) and follow the steps or pick up the form at a station. You can purchase the OV-chipkaart for EUR 7.50. That is a one-time fee for the card only. Once you purchase the card you can load any amount you wish. If you ride the NS train, you must have a minimum of EUR 20 loaded onto the card every time you ride. For transport in the Amsterdam region, there is no minimum balance required on your kaart and you can use it in many other systems outside of the city.
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Advantages For the individual card only you can choose to have it automatically ‘loaded’ from your bank account up to either EUR 10 or EUR 20 when the amount in the card falls below EUR 5, so you won’t waste time uploading from the machine and won’t get ‘caught out’ on a trip with no credit. You can choose to cancel or initiate automatic payments on the OVchipkaart website or by filling in a paper form, which you can pick at any GVB service desk. How to use the OV-chipkaart Swipe the card upon entering and leaving the bus, metro or tram. Don't forget to check out or you'll be charged the entire boarding rate of EUR 4! Otherwise, you pay for the distance travelled, unlike the zonal system used with the paper strippenkaart. If you forget to check out of the NS train you will be charged EUR 20 for a single ride.
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Featured Blogposts COSMO-POLITE.COM/BLOG SKATING & THE CITY There’s no need to tell you that it’s cold in Amsterdam. Freezing cold. Please be aware, that one cannot skate on the canals after one night of frost. The ice needs to be min. 6 cm thick before one can skate on it. Still, there will be spots where the ice is thinner, so my advice: opt for ice rinks. A bonus: there’s always hot coco available! Blogpost Online Throughout town you’ll find many rinks to practice skating and falling skills! Jaap Edenhal is the largest rink in town. It has got an outdoor 400-meter track. Indoors you’ll find an official ice hockey size rink. Entrance fee: E6.10 (adults), E3.70 (children) South Pole is the trendiest ice rink where cool parties are hosted. In the weekends the rink is open to the public. The rinks in the centre are rather small, but are free and skates are available for rent.
Typical Dutch skates called ‘houtjes’, which translates to ‘woodies’. Houtjes are tight to the shoes. At the rinks figuremeets-ice-hockey skates are for rent. Winter 2010-2011 www.cosmo-polite.com page 12
1. Jaap Eden Hal Radioweg 64. Tram 9, Stop Kruislaan. 2.Zuid Pool Tram 4, Stop Europaplein 3.Ice Rink Museumplein Museumplein Tram 2, 3, 5, 12, 16, 24 4.Ice Rink Artis Plantage Kerklaan 38 Tram 9, 14, Stop Plantage Kerklaan 5.Ice Rink Leidseplein Leidseplein. Tram 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10. 6. Ice Rink Rembrandtplein Rembrandtplein. Tram 4, 9, 14
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BOOKS & THE CITY Here's Holland by Sheila Gazaleh-Weevers, Shirley Agudo and Connie Moser provides expats and visitors of all ages and interests with a unique insight into Holland's treasures and pleasures, it's culture and customs. Families and international business people transferring to, or already living in Holland, will also find invaluable tips and advice regarding life in this tiny but fascinating country. Amsterdam: The Brief Life of a City by Geert Mak A great book about the city's soul, part history, part travel guide. This story-telling book was a huge hit among the Dutch. Based on the popular column on the DutchNews.nl website and newspaper, A Dictionary of Dutchness is a handy-sized paperback with over 200 short and snappy entries which unravel the acronyms, abbreviations and jargon of everyday life in the Netherlands.
The Undutchables by Colin White and Laurie Boucke A very revealing treatise about the Dutch that has been selfcategorized by the publisher as "non-fiction/humour". The authors have looked much farther than wooden shoes and tulips. Even the way they stir sugar in their coffee has not escaped their notice. Everything in it is true, and only the humor with which it is written makes it at all palatable for the Dutch themselves.
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[Read about Amsterdam Book stores are on the next page] Holland Handbook by Xpat.nl This handbook offers 256 full-color pages of essential information for the expatriate on all aspects of living and working in the Netherlands such as career, fiscal issues, health care, housing, insurance, international education, registration and telecommunications.
Can you recognise a BN’er ! and do you know BOB*? *if this sounds like double Dutch, then you need this book. A Dictionary of Dutchness by DutchNews.nl Based on the popular column on the DutchNews.nl website and newspaper, A Dictionary of Dutchness is a handy-sized paperback with over 400 short and snappy entries which unravel the acronyms, abbreviations and jargon of everyday life in the Netherlands. where to buy this book
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Excerpts from COSMO-POLITE.COM/BLOG ENGLISH BOOKSHOPS & THE CITY Brownies and Tea at The English Book shop. The English Bookshop is my favourite book shop in Amsterdam; it is friendly, personal and there is a bell hanging above the door, ringing happily when you step into the store. The cozy basement boasts checkered English sofa’s, which are perfect for enjoying the chocolate brownies, freshly ground coffee or Rooibos Tea. The only thing I am missing is a fireplace and a sleeping Labrador at my feet! The Southafrican owner Liesl can order any book you wish, yet I am always amazed how many books she has managed to store in her picturesque shop. The English Bookshop, Lauriergracht 71 (Jordaan). Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-6pm. ABC and it’s Treehouse. The largest ‘English’ literary institution in Amsterdam is the American Book Centre. Besides a wide range of books, they host numerous selfdevelopment activities ranging from writing clinics and yoga classes to Hello Kitty book signing and open mike nights. American Book Centre, Spui 12. Opening hours: Mon 11am-7pm, Tue-Sat 10am-8pm, Thu till 9pm, Sun 11am-6.30pm. Waterstone’s If the American style is not your cup of tea, try Waterstone’s, a four story bookshop with a welcoming, traditional ambiance. Waterstone’s, Kalverstraat 152. Mon 10am- 6pm, Tue-Fri 9.30am–6pm, Thu till 9pm, Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Second-hand English books: The Book Exchange is specialized in used English books and has acquired quite a stock (80.000 titles) over the past 30 years. The Book Exchange, Kloveniersburgwal 58, Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun: 11.30am-16.00pm Read about book markets on www.cosmo-polite.com/blog/books Happy reading! Winter 2010-2011 www.cosmo-polite.com page 16
SPA’s & THE CITY For those who the cold is getting too much, here’s a list of spa’s and steaming hot sauna’s in Amsterdam. Spa Zuiver - pure bliss The newest and largest spa in Amsterdam is located in the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Zuid). All imaginable top of the art facilities are available, including outdoor hot tubs and steam temple, colour therapy sauna and aroma baths. Entrance fee to Spa: E35 (day pass), Spa Amsterdam Zuiver, Koenenkade 8, Amsterdam Forest. Sauna de Keizer - Roman relaxation De Keizer is a roman-inspired sauna and spa also located on the canal belt. Facilities include: Finish sauna, infrared sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, massages, sunbeds and beauty salon. Entrance fee to Sauna: E16 Sauna de Keizer, Keizersgracht 124, Amsterdam Centre. Sento - modern city spa Spa and health club Sento is a members-only club. The spa facilities include a sauna with colour therapy, whirlpool with air and water massage functions and relax zones with views over the Jordaan. During the week, visitors can get a day pass (E22) for the sauna. Making a reservation is recommended. Sento Spa and Health Club, Marnixplein 1, Jordaan. Deco Spa & Wellness - city luxury A beautiful luxury sauna on the canal belt. Facilities include: Sauna Cabin, Turkish Steambath, Lounge, Patio Garden, Fitness, Massage, Solarium, Beauty Salon. Entrance fee to Spa: E20.50 Sauna Deco, Herengracht 115, Amsterdam Centre. Fenomeen - fuss free Popular amongst Amsterdammers is the down-to-earth Sauna Fenomeen at the Vondel Park. Facilities include Finnish sauna, Turkish steam bath, solarium, massages, indoor and outdoor relaxing zones. Entrance fee to Sauna: E9. On the website it reads ‘smoking of pure weed is allowed on Tuesdays’, just so you know. Fenomeen, De Binnenpret square, 1ste Schinkelstraat 14, Amsterdam. Read complete blogpost Winter 2010-2011 www.cosmo-polite.com page 17
Cosmo Polite PHONE BOOK EMERGENCY NO.
112 Fire Service 020.555 66 66 Local Police 020.559 91 11 Medical Service 088.003 06 00 Emergency road ass. 0800.08 88 Services Access Expat Helpline (10h-16h, free) 020.423 32 17 Telephone Directory 1888 Taxi 020.777 77 77
Gas, water, electricity Essent 088.851 10 00 NUON 0900.08 08 (press 1, then 3) Internet UPC 1580
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Lost or Stolen Cards American Express 020.504 86 66 Diners Club 020.654 55 11 Eurocard/Mastercard 030.283 55 55 Visa Card 0800.022 31 10
Cosmo Polite SHOPPING LIST # bread - brood # cereals - cornflakes # rusk - beschuit # pasta - pasta # rice - rijst # flour - bloem # butter - boter # cheese - kaas # yoghurt - yoghurt # jam - jam # choc. sprinkles - hagelslag # salt - zout # pepper - peper # spices - kruiden # sugar - suiker # sweetener - zoetjes # honey - honing # oil - olie # vinegar - azijn # mustard - mosterd # eggs - eieren # cream - room / creme fraiche
vegetables - groenten # lettuce - sla # cucumber - komkommer # tomato - tomaat # onion - ui # garlic - knoflook # beans - bonen # potatoes - aardappelen # leek - prei # cauliflower - bloemkool # carrot -wortel # spinach - spinazie
drinks - dranken # coffee - koffie # tea - thee # milk - melk # softdrinks - frisdranken* # beer - bier* # wine - wijn # biscuits - koekjes # cake - taart # chocolate - chocolade # candy - snoep # nuts - noten / borrelnootjes # cleaning products - schoonmaak artikelen # dishwashing detergent - afwasmiddel / vaatwas blokjes (tablets) # washing powder - wasmiddel # plastic wrap - plastic folie # alum. foil - alum. folie # soap - zeep # toothpaste - tandpasta # shampoo - shampoo # toilet paper - wc papier # flowers - bloemen # candles - kaarsen
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meat & fish - vlees & vis # beef - rundvlees # pork - varkensvlees # veal - kalfsvlees # chicken - kip(penvlees) # salmon - zalm # cod - kabeljauw # tuna - tonijn # trout - forel # shrimps -garnalen
fruit - fruit # apple - appel # pear - pear # orange - sinaasappel # banana - banaan # grapes - druiven # lemon - citroen
#______________________________ #______________________________ #______________________________ #______________________________ #______________________________ *don’t forget to return the bottles to receive your bottle deposit back (‘statiegeld’)
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KIDS & THE CITY Fifteen original activities to keep your kids entertained in- house on a rainy autumn or winter day, without turning on the computer or the television. 1. Prepare everything for a warm bath. Then go outside, paddle the puddles, get cold, get dirty, and get wet. Go back inside, undress completely while filling the bath, and warm up in the bath. Dress in loungewear and have hot chocolate. 2. Bake cookies. Eat them. Again with hot chocolate! In fact, activity 1 and 2 may very well be combined. 3. Make play dough. Not only playing with the dough is fun, but preparing it too! 4. Think about old-fashioned family entertainment and bring out the board games. From ages four and up most kids will love it, and nothing is better for bonding and teaching your kids a thing or two about competing and being a good sport (winning or losing). 5. Organize a fashion show with hats, pumps, dresses, gloves, scarf and glasses. Photograph or film the results and have a good laugh. 6. Take out the building blocks or Legos and build an unconventional house. Have your children use their imagination! 7. Make pizzas! Ready-made pizza crusts are easily available and always handy to have around. Toppings can include loads of veggies, pineapple, sausage and cheese. Fun — and an easy dinner on top of it. 8. Paint a bus with people inside. A great art project for all ages!
P.S. The super-cute picture is from last-century’s Dutch illustrator Rie Cramer.
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9. Re-organize your living room completely with the help of the kids. It’s fun, exciting and you can always go back. (Although you may very well decide to leave it this way!) 10.Choose an animal and make it the theme of the day. Read about it, play it, make a mask of it, dress up like it, make up a story about it, eat like it, bath like it, maybe even sleep like it. 11.Hold an indoor picnic with loads of finger food. How cozy! Kids love picnics – inside or out. 12.Try potato stamping – these penguins are so cute! And most probably you will have the materials handy. Or why not create your own Christmas cards? 13.Build an obstacle course. Use cushions, blankets, coffee tables, chairs etc. Who didn’t love this as a kid? 14.Make a book. You can use old magazines, drawings, newspapers, etc. Make up a story or describe a special (family) happening. This could end up in a keepsake special. 15.Reuse your rubbish for an environmental friendly craft project Happy rainy day!! xxx Esther © Babyccino
About Babyccino Babyccino is a blog of four girls in 4 cities: Amsterdam, London, Paris and Milan. Together they discuss life with kids, style and all their favourite musthaves. With insider tips and reviews from each city, the girls offer up the best kid-friendly restaurants, shops and activities in their four cities – a great guide for ‘hip and happening’ mums who are either living in or traveling to their cities. Winter 2010-2011 www.cosmo-polite.com page 21
Expat VOICES EXPATICA
What advice would you give to a newcomer? Enjoy the view and give at least 40 minutes for your coffee or your meal to arrive in any restaurant… It might be more! Then suddenly without you realising it, one day everything will work out just fine. I don’t know how, but it can happen. Name: Jorge Aristizabal (Colombian/Canadian) City of residence: Amsterdam Occupation: Houseman Reason for moving to the Netherlands: Partner’s career Lived in the Netherlands for: since October 2008
Name: Anthony Hodge (US) City of residence: Amsterdam Occupation: Marketing & Communications Executive Reason for moving to the Netherlands: Followed parents here and came to study Lived in the Netherlands for: 6 ! years
I would advise any newcomer not to let themselves get too surrounded by other expats while they live here. Try to make Dutch friends; the Dutch love to have international friends and they are trustworthy and friendly people once you are ‘in’. If you stick to an all-expat crowd, you won’t learn enough about the culture, and you will quickly find that with all the coming and going of most expats, it can be very difficult to develop lasting relationships. Expat Voices are online interviews published on Expatica.com Read the latest Expat Voice interview online. If you have a question for other expatriates or would like to discuss your expat experiences, join the Expatica community for free. © Expatica.com
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Enjoy simple things. That is something this country is made for. Discover Dutch hedonism. Name: Irena Ajdinovic (Serbian) City of residence: Amsterdam Occupation: PhD researcher Reason for moving to the Netherlands: PhD and relationship Lived in the Netherlands for: since September 2008 Name: Sanjay Chandak (Indian) City of residence: Amsterdam Occupation: Software engineer at ING Reason for moving to the Netherlands: Work Lived in the Netherlands for: since 2007
Dutch people are very straightforward but they are not very sociable with foreigners. However, as time goes by and you become well acquainted, then they will be very helpful and friendly. It’s not good to judge people at first instance as there are cultural differences between Dutch people and expats so it always takes some time to integrate with people. Now I have a few good
LEARN THE LANGUAGE. And laugh it off when you feel insulted by a blunt Dutch reply.
Name: Lizelle Smit (South African) City of residence: Wageningen Occupation: Copywriter Reason for moving to the Netherlands: My partner was transferred. Lived in the Netherlands for: since January !09
Find information about lifestyle, expat voices and blogs & photos on Expatica!s Life in the Netherlands
Š Expatica.com
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Baby goods Hema, V&D, Prénatal Books English Bookshop, ABC, Selexyz DIY Gamma, Formido, Praxis Electronics Mediamarkt, RAF Fresh foods A.Cuypmarket (Mon-Sat), Farmer’s markt Garden& Terrace ‘tuincentrum’ Intratuin
Shops FOR Everyday
Department stores ‘warenhuis’ Bijenkorf, V&D Household goods Blokker, Hema, V&D, Bijenkorf Knickkacks Blokker, Xenos Organic foods Marqt, Farmer’s markt (Noordermarkt, Saturdays) Sports Perry Sport, Bever Outdoor Zwerfsport Stamps AH, Bruna Stationery Gebr. Winter, Hema, V&D 7/7 Supermarket AH on Dam and Museumplein, daily from 8am-10pm. Tickets Amsterdam Uitburo, Lastminute ticketshop Toy Shops Bart Smit, Intertoys Winter 2010-2011 www.cosmo-polite.com page 24
Great DUTCH Products Kaasschaaf A perfect device to cut thin slices of cheese, which is put on a slice of bread at breakfast and at lunch.
Hagelslag Chocolate sprinkles put on buttered bread.
Bugaboo Bugaboo, headquartered in Amsterdam, are those trendy strollers that you see around the city streets, in the country side and even on the beach.
Bitterballen Don’t ask what they are, what’s inside, just eat it! One of the best are from Van Dobben, Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5 UberUmbrella
Dutch Inventions 1. MICROSCOPE 2. TELESCOPE 3. PENDULUM CLOCK 4. ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH (ECG) 5. CD 6. SAWMILL 7. ROAD RULE ENFORCEMENT CAMERA 8. SUBMARINE 9. ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY 10. SENSEO, 1-cup at the time coffee machine
In a bike-loving and rainy country having an umbrella that doesn’t invert can be quite a necessity. The SENZ umbrella effortlessly slices through the wind, from a summer breeze to a heavy storm. Due to its smart design, the SENZ Original umbrella will not invert, and is windproof up to wind force 10! Available at: De Bijenkorf, Dam 1, Bever Zwerfport, Stadhouderskade 4. Bike Lights They might not be Dutch inventions, but do get them! It is compulsory to have bike lights on when biking in the dark. Make sure you’ll always have them with you by putting them on your key chain. Then they can also function as key hole finder and minitorch. Hema, 2 for E5.50
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Featured Blogpost COSMO-POLITE.COM/BLOG CHEESE SHOPS & THE CITY The Dutch have been making cheese since 400 AD. Flash forward to 2009 and we are left with world famous cheeses as Gouda and Edam. One does not need to travel to these towns to get great cheeses, though. Here is a list of Cosmo Polite’s favourite cheese shops in Amsterdam.
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Reypenaer Tasting Room - Singel 182 Want to taste a Dutch gem (cheese-wise)? Reypenaer cheese is an award-winning cheese that is made in Woerden (picture left). From their historic cheeseripening warehouse, the family van Wijngaard ripen theirr cheese using age-old traditional methods. The cheeses ripen slower and longer than what has become standard these days. And that can be tasted! More about Reypenaer.
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Kaashuis Tromp - Utrechtsestraat 90 Tromp has correctly named his shop: Cheese House. The typical Amsterdam house is overloaded with more than 250 different kinds of cheeses. All Dutch Boerenkazen (farm cheeses) come from South of Holland. Also foreign cheeses are sold, including cheeses lesstypical cheese countries as Hungary, Austria, Norway, Portugal and Cyprus.
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Kaaskamer - Runstraaat 7 (picture left) One of Amsterdam’s most famous cheese shops is in the Nine Little Streets. The Kaaskamer (cheese room) is indeed a small room filled with cheeses. The shop is not only celebrated for the cuteness of the place, the offering of over 200 cheese, the gezellige ambiance.,The Kaaskamer is mostly celebrated for its excellent service: friendly people with a passion for cheese! Visit the Kaaskamer online.
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French Cheese shop Abraham Kef - Marnixstraat 192 When stepping into the shop, you’ll leave Amsterdam and enter la France. The shop is the oldest French cheese shop in Amsterdam. In over 50 years, Kef has taught the Amsterdammers the beauty of French cheeses (picture left). In the Kefkelder (Kef cellar) you can enjoy a cheese platter with a nice glass of wine. Vive la France a Amsterdam. View Kef's assortment of French cheeses online. Den Hollander Kaasmarkt - Beethovenstraat 86 Part of a new cheese wholesaler, Den Hollander sells famous and less famous Dutch cheeses from the (geographical) cheese triangle Woerden-BodegravenGouda. Visit this shop if you would like to try these Dutch cheeses. Of course, other Dutch and foreign cheese are sold too. The shop’s ambiance resembles more a mini-supermarket than a ‘cozy, traditional’ cheese shop. Cheese house Tromp - Beethovenstraat 69 Tromp’s cheese house in the Beethoven has less ambiance than the venue in the Utrechtsestraat. No cuts have been made on the quality of the cheeses and the friendliness of the service (picture left).
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The green dots indicate the location of Amsterdam’s best wine shops (see next page)
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WINE SHOPS & THE CITY
The shops are indicated on the map with the green numbered dots.
A beautiful (smelly) cheese deCentre serves a beautiful bottle of 1.Chabrol wine. If you enjoy going to a Haarlemmerstraat 7h, website wine shop and be advised on which wine matches the Beau2.Tastevin Dehue fort or the dish you are prepar- Nieuwe Herengracht 18, webing that night, then these site shops will give you what you need. West 3. Vleck Wijnen The wine shops below separate Eerste Helmersstraat 63HS, themselves from other liquour website stores by: - having an excellent selection of wines; even for E7 you’ll get a nice bottle.
4. La Cave Insolite, Da Costaplein 15, website De Pijp 5. Van Krimpen Frans Halsstraat 67, website
- personal attention from a wine connoisseur. Zuid To select a wine that matches 6. De Gouden Ton your taste, dish or cheese and Willemsparkweg 158 website budget, a sales person that cares about his/her customers 7. Wijnhandel Koninginand wines is priceless. neweg, Koninginneweg 143, website - ambiance of the shop the shop feels like a cozy and 8. Ton Overmars elegant wine shop. Hoofddorpplein 11, website View Blogpost Online
9. De Logie, Beethovenstraat 27, website
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December Drinks: Celebrating Champagne The last drinks of the year will be bubbly! It’s the jolly season after all‌ We know your sofa is warm and comfortable, but Friday evenings is more fun in a bar, especially when corks are popped. Sparkling Wine Menu for E16 Enjoy a glass of Prosecco, rose Champagne and dry Champagne Date/Time: Friday 10 December, 19h30 Venue: Bubbles & Wines, Nes 37 Thank you for announcing your arrival: RSVP Entrance fee: E5 + your personal consumptions. Free for members
Who are Cosmo Polite members? We have an equal about of men and women, mostly in their 30s, in the club. Certain events are more popular amongst women (eg. wine tastings and dinners) and others amongst men (drinks). We share a cosmopolitan lifestyle and a desire to enjoy life alongside our busy work schedules. We have a monthly event for singles; all other events are popular amongst both singles and couples.
Saturday 30 January Cooking workshop After a welcome with a Prosecco and some bites, it's time to roll up our sleeves and start making a Italian dinner together! ... ravioli made from scratch ... appetizers.... wine‌ The ingredients for a fantastic evening. The cooking is done in a cozy kitchen cellar where we"ve spend many fun evenings before. Chef Ruud guides us through the cooking process; making fresh pasta, various appetizers and deserts to die for. After 2-3 hours of intense kneading and cooking, we reward ourselves with a delicious self-made dinner.
Date/Time: Saturday 30 January, 18h00 Venue: Frenzi Cuccina, Overtoom 459 RSVP in advance compulsary. Entrance fee: E55 (members) / E60 (first time guests). Includes dinner, drinks and cooking workshop.
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