I blinked, and a week in Paris flew by. Through the quiet early mornings on the metro, the sweltering sun in the afternoon, and the loud, smoke-filled brasseries of the night, the city of love never failed to amaze me! Each day felt slow, but time went by fast. Before I knew it, Dania and I were frantically running through Gare du Nord Station—toward track 12—to board the Eurostar, just minutes before its departure to Amsterdam Centraal. Finally on board, with our hearts beating fast, we were able to relax in our bright red, cushiony seats, during the 3-hour scenic train ride.

Arriving in Amsterdam was like a breath of fresh air, with its organic greenery and canal-side houses. Besides for the skinny cobblestone walkways, hundreds of pedaling bikers crowding the roads, and the intense heat, its vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere was reassuring. Our first stop on our itinerary was the Van Gogh Museum. Though miles from Paris, the museum encapsulated much of French history. It highlighted how Paris became a center of artistic inspiration for Van Gogh, much like it later inspired Hemingway, who worked and dined in its cafés. After walking through multiple rooms, I eyed one painting of his, “Boulevard de Clichy,” which is not one of his most well-known paintings, but is a genuine piece reflecting his development in impressionism. As someone who doesn’t always appreciate art, the lighter colors and muted tones of this particular piece were not the sole reason why this painting caught my eye. It captures the daily life of those living in Montmartre. This perspective shows how residents and tourists, including myself, view the casual scope of the city, not too dramatic but also beautiful.

Soon after the museum, we walked along the city’s center and grabbed a bite to eat at a local café; we couldn’t believe the bright scenery that surrounded us. I expected it to feel more like Paris, but I was pleasantly surprised by its informal, rustic buildings, relaxed social culture, and its overall intimate, laid-back atmosphere. What surprised me the most was how nice the residents were compared to the Parisians I would interact with. Could we stay here forever? Nevertheless, we continued to explore the busy streets of Amsterdam, dodging multiple trams, buses, and bikers. The uneven cobblestone roads and narrow alleyways led us to many cafes and bars with plenty of outdoor seating, as well as hidden vintage clothing stores and souvenir shops. Eventually, we found ourselves in front of the Anne Frank House, tucked between shops and overlooking the canal. The area was congested with tourists waiting to take pictures at the door. Though we couldn’t get tickets, just standing before it felt significant.  

Soon, it was already 5 PM, and we quickly hurried to check off the last stops on our loose itinerary. Amsterdam was like a maze with its uneven roads and odd-shaped turns, which made it easy to get lost. However, our mistakes turned into happy accidents when we entered the Jordaan district. The intense heat turned into warm sunlight, and I could feel a light breeze. Looking back at our photos, our phones couldn’t fully capture the vibrant flowers lining the bridges above the canal and the light reflecting off the water below us. A perfect way to end our trip. As we took the tram back to Centraal Station, I looked out the window, watching the tourists and Dutch residents fill the walkways. I admired the quirky buildings and remembered the sweet smells that wafted from the food stalls and cafes. While our time here was only temporary, we made the most of the hours we had. I wish I could go back in time to witness the modern yet historic architecture, glistening waters of the canal, and, of course, the herd of bikers that we nearly crashed into at every intersection. Traveling to Amsterdam was, without a doubt, a breath of fresh air and showed me how similar, yet incredibly different, these major cities were.