# Amsterdam and Groningen
*January 2013*





 ![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/665498111876725f7613f1e6/1719666511942-8OQI0I98ONDVUWC9ZYM9/c45b9-img.jpg) I just returned on a lovely trip to the Netherlands. I landed remarkably early in the morning (8am) and had to spend several hours walking around the city. Early morning Amsterdam was incredibly desolate and beautiful.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/2048/0*bd5bYS7tKwjZ-KAv.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/2048/0*Qs1EOFP9F2FNRpIs.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/2048/0*Fo3AZ7J43L5X73oA.jpeg)

 As the day wore on, more interesting characters started to show up.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/2048/0*Ja-2niDH-fSEI03Y.jpeg)You have to be very careful of auto traffic in Amsterdam. They will not hesitate to run over you. Odd for such a nice group of people.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*_yjQA4GhWwQ3m8oJ.jpeg)

 As the afternoon began to kick in, you could feel the mood of the city changing.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*zTa_ZhTHUPCmS50E.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*y4rDVZPoLkVCoEUa.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*ioAXM6mkNblM7D7z.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*jRIT0jrhrZyxy8Vk.jpeg)

 The city is filled with beautiful art, often in unexpected places.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*irPUne6xNPbfOiNE.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*lztTr3G3nE4NgNH6.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*VSKhGNl8JKGhsjmF.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*svlmkgoQqKejIeE2.jpeg)

 An asian couple giggling at the wide selection of dutch condoms.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*H_O8b-XSRXeaDSTU.jpeg)

 Things are very different in Amsterdam.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*EzYaInEtxhJzkj84.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*O5NjGfE194dma5uR.jpeg)

 ## Groningen: Dutch College Town

 After my brief stay to Amsterdam,I took the train to Groningen to attend PyGrunn.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*MwMyifYsCvZjO5nq.jpeg) Unfortunately, I missed the train —a connection in Zwolle.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*2Mqc0gZU9i1m9um7.jpeg) The view from the train was incredible. It seemed like I was travelling through a fictional land.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*pTTHRV5gYaqulfOD.jpeg) Groningen was a lovely town, filled with fun\-loving people.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*KcnpwcLuwn0ZMmxU.jpeg) There was a carnival in town, known as the May Funfair.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*-X7JiZcs-4lGLM4B.jpeg) The extremely outdated (air\-conditionless) hotel had a 70s decor. Its musty blandness slowly grew on me, somehow.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*EGMyOevIv19Gw3wE.jpeg) Groningen is a city of subtle culture.Sometimes.

 ![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*Z9sYsfiQ6mfhInpy.jpeg)

![](https://d233eq3e3p3cv0.cloudfront.net/max/700/0*ztLW_fFdjhYXdCgS.jpeg)

 Flickr sets for this trip are available: [Amsterdam](http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennethreitz/sets/72157633447625802/detail/) and [Groningen](http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennethreitz/sets/72157633470180315/detail/). I also[wrote a song](https://soundcloud.com/kennethreitz/amsterdam-experiment) about it.

 Many thanks to the PyGrunn team for putting on an excellent conference! I'm looking forward to returning when given the opportunity.

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*This travel experience was part of the European adventures that preceded the [awareness of self journey](/talks/awareness-of-self) and mental health challenges, representing a time of creative exploration and openness to new experiences.*