Living in SQUATS and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Local Custom Tips

In Amsterdam it is really difiicult to hire a flat - there is just not enough of them. That's one of the reasons squatting is so popular. All you have to do is to find an uninhabitet spot and squat it - get inside, set a table, chair and bed and from then on you have the right to live there until for example the building is demoilshed. I have lived in the squat for about 1,5 month and had no grater problems with it - actually the first place we lived in was really comfortable - with hot shower and equipped kitchen. Later it was not that good but still ok. Of course you may think it is very dangerous-well it may be but actually the people I lived with were just a bunch of people from all over the world for some reason staying longer in Amsterdam and not going to disturbe one another.

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It is always important to watch your staff etc, especially if you live with people you don't know if you can trust - and that's how it usually is.
A good idea is to form a group of people and find a small spot where you could live on your own - just like in a flat. It takes some time but relly is possible to be done. Sometimes you can recognise a potential squat seeing graffiti on the walls, sometimes it can be a forsaken attic,etc. Basicaly, since the whole thing is legal, it is worth being used.

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The great advantage of such an accomodation is-as I've already mentioned- meeting incredible people. Everyday you wake up used to speaking english all the time. If you live with about 25 other people just like I have, there are always some problems,argues, it's inevitable. But at the same time there is always somebody you can talk to, somebody willing to help you,lend you a bike, or just take you to the city and wander about.
And, what for me is really important, when living in the squat you always know about everything that's going on in the city! We always knew about great parties that tourists have no idea about...

If there's anything you would like to know in this matter feel free to contact me :-)

If you're interested,there is a great internet cafe ascii situated very close to Waterlooplein, you can find very useful info about squats and parties in A'dam,try also the squat.net

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one big family - friends of mine at the Dam square

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Never outside the Netherlands have I met such a custom - in fast foods like FEBO and similar they serve french frites with the huge drop of mayonaise!! During my stay in Amsterdam I sort of got used to this but I remember the first impression!
Of course,you may have your frites with ketchup as well but you will find that mayonaise is much more popular.

Anyway, believe me, this is something you buy and in few minutes regret it - unless you are really REALLY hungry :-)

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