obiwanjabroni

I'm doing some research on Amsterdam for a story I'm writing. Any information would help, and all I really need is general. I think I can be sufficiently vague enough to cover for the details. What I'm looking for specifically are:

* Famous Sites
* Large, famous hotels
* A general idea of its diversity
* An idea of how it feels walking down a busy, lonely, deserted street (from an American point of view)
* An idea of districting (north-side, south-side, etc.)
* Some information about suburbs, and what it feels like there
* Some common dutch surnames, and some common dutch first names
* Some native expressions
* An idea of the food
* Some sense of customs and cultures
* Climate

It doesn't have to be anything absolutely specific, but I'd like to get a more personalized impression from anyone who knows some of these things rather than myself reading advertisements or reading sketchy websites written by five year olds. Nothing wrong with five year olds, but I'd rather have it from someone slightly older. Thanks in advance.

Richmix

Would you mind providing a time period? Amsterdam has changed very significantly over the last... well... always .

DL Ferguson

When I'm writing a novel or story that takes place in a foreign city I pull up that particular city's tourism webpage, email them and inform them of what I need. They usually send back a nice package of brochures and magazines and such that are a big help. Granted, it's not the kind of in-depth information that's going to make you sound like a native of the region, but if your purpose is to give just enough flavor to make the reader nod his head and say, "yeah, that sounds right", that's the way I would suggest to go.

Lily

It might also help to visit your local library; they'll probably have some helpful guides there. Good luck!

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