Rotterdam Rumble: Rain, Ramen, and Seriously Weird Art

okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. 3097333… that’s the timestamp on my phone, which is probably the only thing keeping me vaguely sane right now. 1616134743 - yeah, that’s the date. feels like 14.11, temp’s hovering around 15.39, but the pressure’s a solid 1020. humidity’s at 43, sea level’s… well, it’s Rotterdam, so it’s sea level. ground level is 989, which honestly doesn’t tell me much. it just feels damp. really damp. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.

seriously, this city. it’s like someone took a bunch of Lego bricks, threw them at a wall, and then decided to build a city out of the wreckage. it’s beautiful in a completely unsettling way. i’m staying in this tiny place near the Markthal - it’s basically a giant, covered food hall. the smells alone are enough to induce a mild panic attack, but the food? don’t even get me started. i grabbed some ramen last night that was… an experience. let’s just say it involved a lot of soy sauce and a concerning amount of seaweed.

I spent the morning wandering around the Delfshaven district. it’s like stepping back in time, but with more street art. and pigeons. lots and lots of pigeons. someone told me that the harbor is best viewed at sunset, but i was too busy dodging aggressive seagulls to really pay attention. i’m trying to capture the whole vibe on film, but my camera’s acting up - it keeps flashing random black squares. it’s probably a sign.

I stumbled across this insane art installation - a giant, inflatable flamingo that was slowly deflating in the rain. it was… poignant. and slightly terrifying. i overheard a group of tourists arguing about whether it was ‘ironic’ or ‘just sad.’ honestly, i was just wondering if it was going to fall on me.

Speaking of locals, the people here are… interesting. there’s this guy, Willem, who runs the vintage shop down the street. he’s got a handlebar mustache and a permanent air of melancholy. he told me that the best place to find a decent cup of coffee is “behind the fish market,” which, naturally, sent me on a wild goose chase. i ended up at a tiny cafe with a grumpy barista and a surprisingly good espresso. i heard that the Rotterdamse huisjes (the little canal houses) are incredibly expensive to rent, but if you can snag one, it’s worth it.

I’m trying to find some good places to eat - Yelp says there’s a place called ‘De Drie Fonteinen’ that’s supposed to be amazing, but it’s always packed. TripAdvisor recommends ‘Fenix Food Factory,’ which sounds promising. i’m also keeping an eye out for any hidden gems. i’m always on the lookout for a good deal.

width="100%">

I’m starting to think Rotterdam is a city built on chaos and caffeine. it’s exhausting, but in a strangely compelling way. if you get bored, Amsterdam is just a short drive away. or Brussels. or Cologne. honestly, anywhere with decent beer.

Oh, and one last thing: someone told me that the Cube Houses are haunted. i’m not saying i believe it, but i’m also not ruling it out. i’m definitely not sleeping with the lights on.

Seriously, the rain is relentless. i need to find a dry place to recharge. maybe another ramen bowl. or a strong coffee. or both.

Check out this local board for events: https://www.rotterdam.nl/en/events

And for more Rotterdam info: https://www.visitrotterdam.com/

Don't forget to check out the Markthal: https://www.markthal.nl/en

You might also be interested in:

• https://votoris.com/post/the-tax-system-in-stuttgart-everything-you-need-to-know-and-why-im-still-confused
• https://votoris.com/post/yo-the-weather-in-pyongyang-is-wild-and-weird
• https://votoris.com/post/kibanseke-premire-rent-reefs-and-rumours
• https://votoris.com/post/san-antonio-yall-a-botanists-slightly-chaotic-field-notes
• https://votoris.com/post/reims-where-concrete-kisses-cold-clouds