Travel to Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Although six years have passed since the first day I set foot in the Netherlands, I have decided to write about it as if it were still that first day. When the name Netherlands comes to mind, one inevitably thinks of the land of flowers and freedom, calm canals, beer, waffles, fragrant cheeses, and warm smiles.

The Dutch are among the most amazing and unique people in Europe; in history, hardworking and steadfast, in speech, frank and straightforward, and in behavior, kind and friendly; they are also among the greatest colonizers in the world. It is this combination of traits that makes traveling to the Netherlands interesting and important. The idea that they pulled this land out of the water and reclaimed it is astonishing!

Tehran to Amsterdam

I left Tehran on an Iran Air flight bound for Amsterdam; a direct, comfortable, and stress-free journey. The pilot was professional and calm. Amsterdam Airport is bustling, connecting the world, and KLM follows the open and friendly culture of the Netherlands. Overall, it seems this country shows a warm face to everyone and loves to be open, giving and receiving love. Flowers don’t bloom in the Netherlands without reason.

Upon entering this beautiful land from Schiphol Airport, our journey in the Netherlands officially began. Shortly after, my brother joined me from Turkey, and together we headed to the train station toward the city where Martin, our Dutch friend, was waiting for us.

The Netherlands has an amazing public transportation system; a well-organized network connecting everything, clean, precise, and flawless. Payment methods vary, but the best option is using credit cards like Visa or Mastercard to purchase public transport tickets.

Heineken and Amstel advertisements, cobblestone streets, brick houses, the peaceful coexistence of birds in the city, countless canals, and another expression of freedom immediately capture your attention when you first encounter Amsterdam. You can easily sense that this city says: Life is short, enjoy it. Amsterdam lives as if in the style of Shiraz.

On that rainy day, we arrived at Martin’s house; a narrow apartment with authentic Dutch architecture. Martin, a kind-hearted young man, welcomed us with a can of Heineken. That day, another guest was at the house: Louis from Brazil. This was our first meeting with him.

We slept and woke up the next morning to the sound of a ukulele, that small guitar. Louis was playing in the kitchen, and the day began quietly and musically.

The day began. I love days when the weather is both cloudy and sunny; days when clouds are light, neither heavy nor threatening, and the sky resembles a soft, white embrace rather than a dark curtain. Through these clouds, sunlight occasionally finds its way, not harshly but gently, settling softly on the ground. A light that does not burn, does not shout, it simply exists.

It feels as if the sun calls from behind the clouds: Don’t worry, even if you can’t see me fully, I am still here. This weather reminds me of a calm hope; not a noisy hope, but a silent assurance that, in the quiet of light and clouds, makes the heart a little lighter. The ground is wet yet does not dry, and I love traveling on such days. Today is one of those days.

My eyes suddenly catch the reflection of tree branches on the blue water collected in the cobblestone depressions; a simple image that takes my mind back to distant years, to the time when this land was pulled from the water, dried, and turned into the Netherlands.

Perhaps many of those living here do not like such weather. The sky is too bright and the ground dark; when you look at the sky, everything fades in silhouette, but when you lower your gaze, colors come alive and reveal themselves directly. Trees, shadows, and the peaceful human connection with nature are admirable in this land.

Symbolic windmills, flower shops, cheese shop windows, and the small Canta car inevitably catch my attention; simple details that complete the story of everyday life.

Canta Car

Canta is a very small two-seater car made in the Netherlands, designed in 1995 for people with disabilities, though its use is not limited to this group. Due to its narrow width (about 1.10 meters), it is recognized as a mobility aid in the Netherlands and can travel on bicycle paths and even sidewalks without a driving license. The car is fully customizable and even has a model where the user can drive while remaining in a wheelchair. Gasoline and electric versions of the Canta have been produced. I’ve heard it was invented because of Amsterdam’s narrow streets.

Amsterdam Streets

Here, pleasantries give way to frankness and reality. Amsterdam is a point on the globe where freedom takes on a new meaning; or perhaps the city itself gives meaning to freedom. My story with this land goes back years; a place where my interests and tastes are respected, a place where I have many friends with beliefs and perspectives close to my own; a developed country yet still faithful to its roots and traditions.

The roads and pathways are designed to respect pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, boaters, and drivers simultaneously. This is a land where judgment is minimal and the last thing people live under. People here are straightforward, candid, and open. It is this honesty that fosters a sense of calm and brings life closer to its true meaning.