The other side of the city: Five non-touristy things to do in Amsterdam
by Leontien Aarnoudse
One of my biggest fears as a traveler is to act or look like a tourist. Scared to be more entertained by the camera than by the place itself, I always try to pretend I am “one of them”. I eat their food, I walk and talk the way they do (at least I try!) and I drink coffee in cafes with only locals. All this makes me feel less like a tourist. Still, it’s hard to completely get rid of my tourist identity. I still like taking photos, I don’t want to miss out on a famous attraction (which is usually full of tourists) and – thanks to my coffee addiction – I still end up in lousy, touristy coffee bars. Tips from locals, however, often help me get back on the non-tourist track. As Amsterdam is my hometown, here are my own tips on how to enjoy its non-touristy attractions: (more…)
