Tag: Amsterdam

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Travel

Discovering History and Self from Amsterdam to Rotterdam

Person standing with an umbrella in front of the National Monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam, with the Royal Palace visible in the background.
A photograph of me in front of the National Monument on Dam Square (Dutch: Nationaal Monument op de Dam): a monument dedicated to all Dutch war casualties of World War II. Opposite it is the Royal Palace.

PS: Consider these travel stories as entries from my journal. Written in haste, I hope you find enjoyment in their spontaneity and rawness.

I was fascinated by how the tour guide recounted the origins of the Netherlands on the tour today. With her expertise in the history of her country, I can only imagine how much knowledge of the country the locals have access to. She showed us a demographic map of Amsterdam’s Jewish population in 1941, which the Nazis used to facilitate persecution, and confessed she was only just learning about this because the Dutch were ashamed of that part of their history — a history of how the Dutch also had a hand in the persecution of the Jews. ‘Now you know more than some of the locals,’ she concluded.

These past two weeks in Europe have been a journey of enlightenment, learning more about the world than I knew before I arrived. But as I soak in this knowledge, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness for the untold stories of my ancestors. I wonder how much of our stories are out there. What do people know about us? And more critically, what don’t we know about ourselves? How much of our stories are not accessible to us?

I have been contemplating the importance of telling and owning our stories. What is the Nigerian story in the context of the world wars? What is the Nigerian story beyond these wars?

During the Berlin tour, the tour guide briefly mentioned the Berlin Conference. Shalvah and I, being the only Nigerians in the group, stood out for our complexion and accent. This distinction drew his attention to us. His passing comment about the conference made me uneasy; I was hesitant to hear the Nigerian story narrated by someone else.

My reflection is of a larger issue — the absence of our narrative in the mainstream. We don’t actively tell our stories; we don’t teach history in schools. Most of what I know came from my own research. History should be a recommended subject in schools. How do we tell the Nigerian story if we don’t actively talk about it?

If we don’t tell our stories, they are left open to others’ interpretation. To paraphrase Otto Frank, we cannot change what happened, but we can learn from the past to prevent history from repeating itself. Moreover, we must write and preserve our narratives, for if we don’t tell our stories, who will?

Writing our stories is not just an act of preservation but also a means of asserting our place and perspective in the historical record.

Yet, there are lighter moments that bring joy amid these ruminations. It rained throughout the day, and I struggled to keep my umbrella in place, but I was especially grateful for reuniting with an old friend, Timmy in Rotterdam. He treated us to the delights of Mama Thai’s restaurant, offering the most delicious meal I’ve had in the Netherlands. We skipped visiting Erasmus Bridge (Dutch: Erasmusbrug) due to the weather, but that gave us more time at his house to continue our discussion about the African narrative over apples and cashew nuts. We promised to continue this conversation fuelled with curiosity and a commitment to active learning.

Shalvah, Timmy, and I sharing a smile, gathered for a selfie with a bustling station background
A snapshot with Shalvah and Timmy
Shalvah and I standing in front of Rotterdam Centraal Station
A photograph of Shalvah and me in front of the Centraal Station, Rotterdam.
View from under a shelter looking out at Rotterdam Centraal Station on a rainy day, with Timmy standing in the foreground and city buildings in the distance
Rainy days and city lights – a view from under a shelter looking out at Rotterdam Centraal, with Timmy adding to the urban vibe

I share the highlights of my adventures in Europe on my Instagram stories. You can follow my time in The Netherlands through this link.

Categories
Travel

A Journey of Contrasts and Discoveries in Amsterdam

A breathtaking sunrise over Overamstel with a rich gradient of red and orange filling the sky above the cityscape and railway tracks, as seen from the Leonardo Hotel room. The canal is not visible in the shot.
Dawn's fiery canvas over Overamstel, as viewed from my hotel room at the Leonardo Royal Hotel. The rising sun painting the sky in vibrant hues of red and orange, marking a serene start to a new day in Amsterdam, with the calm presence of a canal just beyond the frame.

PS: Consider these travel stories as entries from my journal. Written in haste, I hope you find enjoyment in their spontaneity and rawness.

I am in Amsterdam, the city of canals. Writing from my window in a hotel, 14 floors up, I’m captivated by the beautiful view of moving vehicles and the canal, its lights reflecting on the water. It’s 5:32 AM, and sleep eludes me. Today’s agenda includes a city tour and a subsequent trip to Rotterdam to meet my long-time friend, Timmy. My feelings are a mix of worry, nervousness, and gratitude.

It’s intriguing that I could experience these three emotions simultaneously. How does apprehension intertwine with gratitude? I’m yet to find out.

It’s my second day in The Netherlands, marking my 18th day in Europe on a fast ticking Schengen visa.

Yesterday was gruelling. My period came with a nerve-wracking pain that left me wishing for an escape to a different life. Once the pain seemed to have eased, Shalvah and I embarked on a boat cruise, a change from our original plan due to missing the city tour. We sailed through Amsterdam’s canals exploring the city’s history in a boat with three seats per row, which I thought defeated the purpose of the ‘lovers boat cruise’ ironic given its name.

Amsterdam, a stark contrast from yesterday’s bustling streets, now seems tranquil. My initial impressions of the city, influenced by the ubiquitous smoking and weed-friendly establishments, led to a hasty generalisation of the country belonging to the drug barons. It’s my first encounter with a place where weed is so openly accepted.

Amsterdam differs from Germany, yet shares similarities. While cash is favoured in Germany, Amsterdam leans towards digital transactions, highlighting its tech-savvy nature. As a foreigner, adapting to this was initially overwhelming, particularly at the train station with our ‘I amsterdam’ city card, which we discovered doesn’t include NS trains.

The Dutch are also more open towards speaking the English language in contrast to Germans who you have to ask ‘Please, do you speak English,’ before they respond either in the affirmative or ‘Keine English.’

Last night’s quest for relief from menstrual cramps led me to the hotel bar for chamomile tea. The Dutch, much like the Germans, cherish their teas. The warm brew, along with the barman’s kindness, was a comforting end to the day, adding to the series of warm encounters I’ve received on this continent.

So far, my time in Amsterdam has been filled with highs — from exploring the city and navigating restaurants to the serenity of a boat cruise and the joy of capturing moments in photographs. Each experience layers onto my understanding and appreciation of this distinctive city, and I look forward to learning more about The Netherlands and what Rotterdam has in store later today.

A view of Overamstel’s serene waters, where city lights meet the calm canal

I share the highlights of my adventures in Europe on my Instagram stories. You can follow my time in The Netherlands through this link.