I have nearly been knocked by all modes of transport in Amsterdam but, I still go back and experience more. The last time was just now in Feb. I went with some mates and having forewarned the one mate of crossing the road he still got it wrong ....................... but, he made it across.
Now in your attempts to get to the other side of the road it's not
interesting enough to have the vehicles drive on a different side of the road to that which you are accustomed; but why not throw in various modes of transport all with their own right of way? So first you have your bicycle lane, and boy oh boy are there bicycles for Africa in Amsterdam, but what cronky farm bikes!

Now these chaps have their own lane and are damn protective over it. Problem is you’re never too sure where these bicycle buggers are gonna be coming from so you use the windscreen wiper technique and do a quick left / right and / or right / left and make a cautious move. Just when you think you have made it to safety there is the motor vehicle lane to contend with. So now you’re potentially stuck between bicycles and motor vehicles, but which way are the motor vehicles coming from? Assume you guess the right and do a Speedy-Gonzales-make-sure-your-brakes-are-working ‘cos next you have Mr Tram, and this boytjie don't play! (I actually wonder what the tram death toll is? I was nearly one of their stats.) So now you get past Mr Tram and just when you want to scream out, "Free at last!!!! Thank G...." you hear this ringing noise and wonder where the hell it's coming from ‘cos there tends to be a bit of noise about you...........well it's the tram coming from the other direction! You don't know what to do - so you do like a chicken and run. Some now make it to the other side panting like a dog on a hot summer day, turn around expecting to be berated by some motorist only to find that they casually continue with their journey. These people are laid back. Giants like their offspring back in SA but with an amazing calmness about them. In fact you wonder if the Boers back in SA have indeed any genetic association with the people you meet in Amsterdam.
 
SA is a beautiful country but there is so much beyond our horizons, so much for our minds to explore and the amazing thing for me has been that my explorations have engendered in me a greater appreciation for and desire to live the beauty of SA.
 
Of course the easiest way to cross the road in Amsterdam is to pop in to a coffee shop for a wee chronic break.

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