Amsterdam has been my home for the last seven months, and just yesterday I realized why I love Amsterdam so much. The thought came to me when my best thoughts always do – during a totally hungover run on a Sunday afternoon. I stopped mid stride to jot down my thought: I love Amsterdam because it’s just like Rhode Island.
Okay, okay let me explain. Here are 18 ways Amsterdam is just like Rhode Island.
1. Chocomel and coffee milk
Amsterdam has their own version of chocolate milk called Chocomel. This is something I always crave mid-run… hence the conception of this list. And coffee milk, well that’s something only Rhode Islanders understand.
2. Herring and lobster rolls
Amsterdam has the best herring in the game, served from canal side shacks. Rhode Island has the best lobster roll in the game, served from beach side shacks.
3. Amstel and Narragansett
Amstel, Heineken, choose as you please. We all know Narragansett is better.
4. Canals and the Atlantic
Amsterdam is famous for picturesque canals and Rhode Island is famous for its beautiful coastline. Both of which I am quite fond of.
5. Everything is just 20 minutes away
In Amsterdam, we ride bikes everywhere, and everywhere is just 20 minutes away. In Rhode Island, we drive cars everywhere, and everywhere is just 20 minutes away.
6. Late night kebabs and late night weiners
Street food is a staple in Amsterdam, and when you’re coming home from the bar at 6 am it is quintessential that you stop for a sub par kebab. In Rhode Island, we swap out kebabs for hot weiners (although I must admit, not my favorite drunk food).
7. Vacation homes
Amsterdam is the only place I’ve been, apart from Rhode Island, where people think it’s totally normal to have a vacation home and a home one hour from each other.
8. The beach
In Amsterdam and Rhode Island, the beach is just a short ride away. On weekends, do not disturb.
9. Sunsets
A Jamestown sunset will always win, but a canal sunset, well, that’s second best.
10. IJscuypje and Brickley’s
Ice cream ice cream, ice cream. If only Amsterdam had Awful Awfuls.
11. Awful Awfuls and coffee shop milkshakes
Oh wait, they do! Maybe not exactly the same thing, but nearly all the coffee shops in the city sell milkshakes. It’s a dream come true.
12. Bitterballen and clam cakes
In Amsterdam we eat bitterballen, small croquettes filled with a mystery meat mixture (I feel it’s best not to know exactly what goes inside). In Rhode Island we eat clam cakes, fried clam dough balls. Both, best served with a cold beer.
13. Windmills and lighthouses
Where the Dutch have windmills, Rhode Islanders have lighthouses. Both tall houses that tourists (and I) love to take pictures of.
14. Stroopwafels and chocolate chip cookies
If you haven’t had a stroopwafel, you’re missing out. The national cookie and something I like to consume four of at a time, often resulting in a severe sugar high and a plummeting stomach ache. Chocolate chip cookies, well, you all know what those are.
15. Tulip picking and apple picking
Every year the Dutch anxiously await tulip season. Every year we Rhode Islanders grease our baking dishes for apple season.
16. King’s Day and 4th of July
On King’s Day the Dutch celebrate the King’s birthday while getting wildly intoxicated on boats. On 4th of July, we celebrate America’s birthday while getting wildly intoxicated on boats.
17. Winter
Just when you think spring has arrived, it starts hailing on your way to work. At least in Rhode Island we have cars.
18. Gezelligheid
This is a Dutch word I recently learned and I think it sums up Dutch culture and Rhode Island culture quite well. In English there’s no direct translation but it means a cozy warm feeling like that you would get from sipping hot chocolate by a fireplace after a long day on the slopes. This is how I feel when I am in Amsterdam, and this is how I feel when I’m in Rhode Island. ♥
