Amsterdam

[tabby333]

I confess that I didn't know what to expect of Amsterdam. I was thrilled to find a friendly, lovely city that is easy to navigate

Comments

[destina]

So why are the houses leaning? That is fascinating!

[tabby333]

I may get this a little bit wrong, but this is what I heard from our various guides. Most of the Netherlands is built on wetlands, including Amsterdam (a peat bog, if I'm not mistaken). They have spent generations pumping water out of the land (and into canals and rivers using windmills in the past and now more modern tools). They built on the land and continue to do so. They utilized wooden stilts in the days of yore. The land and stilts continue to settle and shift and as that happens, the houses twist, lean and generally looked like they are going to fall over.

The canal cruises take you past a set of houses they call the dancing houses. They look like they are leaning on each other. I have a picture of it somewhere.

It's pretty fascinating. The Netherlands exist in defiance of nature and where nature wanted the water to be. It's quite an effort to build a new house in Amsterdam.

I love going places and learning about things I never knew and this trip was a winner for that.

[dawtheminstrel]

Amsterdam is the first European city I ever set foot in. I have fond memories. Your pictures make me want to go again.

[tabby333]

I was pleasantly surprised. I don't know what I was expecting but it totally charmed me. I hope to go back at some point, but there are so many other places to go!