The city of Amsterdam got its nickname, the "Venice of the North' due to its array of canals spread across the city. Amsterdam is filled with myriad cultures and diverse geography as well as being comprised of 17 different sovereign regions. Throughout my trip, I felt as if I needed body armor as I walked the streets. Not because bullets were flying, but to protect me from the bicycles and cars that seemed to careen around town with no regard for pedestrian safety. Despite fearing for my life at times, I loved the vibrant atmosphere and friendly energy that emanated from this city. 

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Amsterdam contains several notable must-see attractions such as its canals, its windmills, its famous flower market and most of all its world famous klompen (wooden clogs) shops. However, a pleasant surprise I encountered was that Amsterdam boasts a huge variety of international food options. In fact, I like to think of Amsterdam as the foodcourt of the Netherlands.