Rotterdam

Rotterdam is quite big and modern, compared to all those cute Dutch towns you see in pictures. It was bombed by the Germans during WWII, in 1940, and almost completely destroyed. It was rebuilt afterwards and is now known mostly for it's modern architecture (the picture in my first post is of the Kijk-Kubus, or cube houses). So although you see new buildings, the city is filled with history. It was granted city rights in 1340, according to Wikipedia.

My house is in the Prins Alexander submunicipality, right in front of the Prinselaaan metro station, and two blocks away from a big commercial center called Alexandrium (convenient, might I add). It's a pretty nice neighborhood and it's away from the crazyness, the noise and believe it or not, the smell of pot of downtown Rotterdam.

There's A LOT to see in this little town: museums, art everywhere, cool architecture, colorful people, super trendy fashion, etc. The only downside is that it might get a little expensive, especially with the metro rides (RET). I'm not very graceful on the bicycle, so I'd rather walk to where I'm going, and/or take the metro.

So far, I've visited the following places:

- the Central Station (I didn't take pictures it of because it's under construction)

- Lijnbaan, which is Europe's first pedestrian-only shopping street. Asides from the shopping, it has cool little statues on every corner.

- Pathé Schouwburgplein, a very modern and central square. It has one of those cool fountains that have water coming out of the floor where kids can play in.

- Beurstraverse, also known as the "Shopping Gutter", not because it is a gutter, but because it goes under Coolsingel St., which is Rotterdam's main street.

- the Havenmuseum. It's behind the Maritiem Musem (which I haven't checked out yet) and it's a rather large display of historic boats. Right next to it, on the sidewalk of Schiedamse Dijk St. is the "Hall of Fame" of Rotterdam, with the hands, feet and signature of celebrities like Bon Jovi, Johnny Cash, Shrek, and Gloria Estefan to name a few, engraved on cement. It's a pretty neat personal discovery since no tourist guides I've read mention it. - seen the Erasmus bridge from afar, but it's hard to get a good picture of it at night with no tripod

- the Oude Haven is right behind the Cube Houses and it is GORGEOUS! I had some tea there while I enjoyed the smell of fresh fishy water and cigarette smoke from three French girls. But it is really gorgeous

- walked around Laurens-Kwartier

- Erasmus University, of course. It's very green and quiet.
- the Alexandrium (there's a supermarket in there)


I have many more places to visit yet, but I'm trying to make the most out of my budget, so some days I just stay home, relax, and watch endless re-runs of the Jersey Shore and Room Raiders. And of course, give my legs a rest! I walk about five hours daily, just to take in the city while I sightsee. :)

I'll write about Amsterdam and Delft tomorrow. But right now, goedenatch! (Good night in Dutch)