When I first came to Amsterdam in 2010 I remember thinking it was a vision of the future. A microcosm of world languages and food, it is also a peaceful, laid back city with clean and safe transportation.
Still true, this time I also saw the parallels with Brooklyn, in which the twin cities both express delight at kitschy stores selling home crafted goods, jarred or pickled anything, local and gourmet food, tiny home gardens, and bike transport. As a harmonious city, Amsterdam is two steps ahead Brooklyn in mainstreaming acceptance of or open views toward LGBT, marajuana, alcohol, and sex. The city is a liberal beacon across The Pond to which Brooklyn seems to aspire. It so happens that I saw a healthy number of hipster mustaches and ironic tees, too.
Suspiciously, for a city filled with youth, there was a conspicuous absence of visible cell phones. Unlike in New York, I did not see a zombie nation affixed to the smartphone screen. Guilty myself, New Yorkers walk and text, climb stairs while looking down at the screen, ride the subway playing games, and check emails during meals with friends. Of course there was the occasional Amsterdam biker who was cycling and chatting on his mobile simultaneously, but overall Amsterdam did not seem to succumb to this addiction, and it was a fresh relief. In New York I hope we can aspire to this leisure as well, so we can stop and smell the home grown flowers.
