1. Bicycles. Are. In. The. BAJILLIONS!! I know, I know it's so obvious but seriously, they are EVERYWHERE. I expected to see lots of people riding their bikes (I was not disappointed) but did not expect to see so many on the streets. You literally climb over them. This is outside Sloterdijk Station, the first bit of city we saw when we arrived. Note: bike lanes are as dangerous for pedestrians as car lanes. Do not stand in them. They are not for you.
2. Trams. Trams in Amsterdam are the same as the newish Camberwell trams in Melbourne. What is quite disconcerting is that they sound EXACTLY the same, but they are NOT. They have a conducter who sits in an elevated throne/bubble (very sci-fi) in the middle of the tram, who casts a very watchful and grumpy eye on ticket offenders. They have in and out sections, with little flaps, so you can't try and sneak in.
In the older trams, which are about as clunky as the Chapel St and City Circle trams, but really long and narrow, it is likely that you will get smooshed between the doors and the entrance barriers. Twice if you're me. I still have three more days to get smooshed, so we'll see how we go.
They also don't stop at the tram stop, but about 5 metres up from it. This is very strange, as you then have to run up to the correct tram doors along with the other commuters jostling you (a LOT) before the doors close and smoosh you.
There are also sections for prams, and you will get very snipped at if you, non-pram holding tourist, are standing in that area.
They go very fast and WILDLY. Cling on for dear life.
3. Sandwiches. Dutch Sandwiches. Awesome. My new favourite thing in the world, which seems to be on every menu I come across, is the bizarre combination of goat's cheese, thyme, honey and walnuts. This is very special. Amsterdam-ers also make a very amazing BLT, which is very exciting. They put pine nuts in them, which is pleasing.
4. Cats. Cats who are shut inside apartments all day have much lust for overseas visitors. Kent and I have been suffering the wrath of Orson, who very much enjoys gazing at us while we use the very European open shower. (As in, on the far wall of the bathroom, there is a shower head (two in fact, which is lovely, but beside the point.) I don't think I have ever felt this vulnerable while standing naked in the shower.
It seems that in Amsterdam there are more apartments than one would have thought possible, and I am quite confident that the majority houses at least one cat. According to the oh-so-knowledgeable Kent, one of the reasons for Amsterdam's cat love (which is rather reciprocated) is due to the belief that they helped save the city from the worst of the Plague, by killing the disease-ridden rats that came through the city.
4. Dutch Scrabble. Looks the same as regular Scrabble if you are not looking carefully. It is still called Scrabble for one, so you think you are quite on top of things. However, subtle difference become massive devastation and gain throughout play. Zs and Js are both worth 4 points which is devastating, and then there are two of each, which is even more devastating if you get all of them (which I did.)
There are no Hs. This was a subtlety that did not make itself known until the tram ride home hours later after our game in a coffee shop. This possibly has something to do with the Laughing Buddha we smoked before the game. Once discovered though, more devastation ensued.
Wonderfully though, Ts and Rs and Ss are worth two points, and Ls and Gs are worth 3. Hooray!
5. Wind Chill. It blows tears out of your eyes and snot out of your nose. You think it's going to be 8 degrees which is very exciting and it ends up being about 3. Don't wear shorts.
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