Amsterdam is a beautiful city; I recommend everyone visit it at least once in their lives. I've only had time to explore the area around Amsterdam Centraal, but it's gorgeous and friendly. The weather is cold and very windy, and has been cloudy or foggy most of the time I've been here. Coming from SF and Morro Bay, I feel right at home.

First impressions from an ignorant American:

Clearly, no one worries about earthquakes here. It's all masonry, 3-6 stories tall. Apparently the biggest disaster concerns are fire and Germany.

The roads and sidewalks are all cobblestone. It's quite nice compared to the monotony of asphalt, but I imagine it's rough on the bikes.

The bikes rule the streets. Don't get in their way.

The bikes are also cheap. No mountain bikes, 3-speed at most, and "slow cruiser" style. I guess the high rate of bike theft makes for a very low lowest common denominator where features are concerned.

The cost of living is cheap compared to SF or SLO. A decent sandwich runs 2.50 euro, and the USD exchange rate is nearly 1:1.

You can't beat the falafel. But Jesus, mayonnaise?

Everything is smaller. The doorknobs, stairways, toilet paper, beds, cups, bathrooms, boxes of food, loaves of bread, cars, etc. The little German cars are pretty funny, but the construction equipment is completely laughable. Have you ever seen a backhoe the size of a VW bug?

There's certainly no consideration to OSHA-type building codes. If a 5'4" frenchman can conceivably crawl through it, it's an acceptable doorway. I'm pretty sure the disabled people just give up and push themselves into the nearest canal.

But seriously, I'm having a blast. The people are friendly, the money is colorful, and it just feels good to experience something different. I'm also getting a real education in American luxury, homogeny, and ethnocentrism. If you want to see how a real melting pot works, visit Amsterdam.

No, I haven't hit the "coffee" shops yet. =]

Love to you all.