Rotterdam Rhapsody: Rain, Ramen, and Really Weird Vibes
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. 721239 and 1348559499 - don’t ask, it’s a thing i saw on a wall. the temp was 6.02, feels like 3.74, min 6.01, max 7.15, pressure 1013, humidity 84, sea level 1013, ground level 978. yeah, that’s…something. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
Rotterdam. honestly, it’s like someone took a bunch of Lego bricks, threw them at a canal, and then said, ‘there you go, city.’ it’s aggressively modern, aggressively cool, and aggressively damp. i’m talking perpetually drizzly, the kind of rain that clings to your jacket and makes your shoes squelch. it’s not unpleasant, just…present.
I spent the last three days wandering around, mostly fueled by *ramen and a desperate need to find something that resembled a decent croissant. found a place called ‘Noodroom’ - seriously, the best noodles i’ve had in ages. check it out: Noodroom Yelp.
I stumbled across this insane street art scene. like, insane. it’s not just graffiti, it’s like a full-blown, interactive art installation. there’s this one mural of a giant, weeping robot - it’s genuinely unsettling and beautiful at the same time. someone told me that the artist, ‘Pixel Flux,’ is obsessed with obsolete technology. creepy, right?
Speaking of unsettling, I overheard some interesting gossip at a bar called ‘De Drie Fleschjes’ (Three Little Bottles). Apparently, the mayor’s been secretly funding a project to build a giant, inflatable flamingo in the harbor. a giant inflatable flamingo. i don’t even.
I tried to find a decent coffee shop, which was a struggle. most places just serve this weak, watery stuff. i ended up at ‘Coffee X,’ which was marginally better. they had this amazing Ethiopian blend - seriously, worth the hunt. Coffee X TripAdvisor.
Here’s my survival guide, because let’s be real, you’re going to need it:
*Waterproof everything: Seriously. Invest in a good poncho. Or three.
*Embrace the canals: Rent a boat. It’s the best way to see the city. Rotterdam Canal Boat Rentals
*Explore the Markthal: It’s a massive indoor market with everything from cheese to sushi. It’s a sensory overload in the best way.
*Don’t be afraid to get lost: Rotterdam is a surprisingly walkable city. Just wander and see what you find.
*Learn a few basic Dutch phrases: ‘Alstublieft’ (please) and ‘Dank u wel’ (thank you) go a long way.
If you get bored, Amsterdam is just a short drive away. Or, you know, just keep wandering.
I also checked out the Cube Houses - they’re…weird. Like, really weird. But also kind of cool. It’s a total Instagram moment. Cube Houses Official Website
I heard that the best place to find vintage clothes is in the area around the Witte de Withstraat*. It’s a bit of a hunt, but you can find some seriously unique pieces. Just be prepared to haggle.
Seriously, the rain. it’s a constant thing. but honestly, it adds to the atmosphere. it’s a city that feels…lived in. gritty, but in a good way. I’m already plotting my return. Maybe in the summer. Or maybe not. Who knows?
Oh, and one last thing: don’t trust anything you hear in a bar. Especially about the flamingo.
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- https://votoris.com/post/alaminos-diaries-why-i-keep-getting-texts-from-1608695660
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