Jessica G. Troccoli

While staying in Europe, we took a break from work to enjoy a side trip to Amsterdam one weekend. The train ride through the countryside was beautiful. Some old-time windmills still exist around the small towns. I can see why the master artists from this area were influenced by the surrounding landscape. Amsterdam was just as I imagined a Netherlandish city to look. The buildings have developed a lean and most windows sit crooked. This is because the city was built on unstable landfill along the river bank. It makes for a very unique appearance. Overall, I found Amsterdam to be much more calm than I had anticipated. It’s not littered with sex and drugs, but instead it is a city where families dwell and children are raised just the same as anywhere else.