2 Weeks ago I joined a friend (whose business is getting Superyacht's to Amsterdam, Dockside.ai) at the Liegeplatz Conference from the Port Of Amsterdam. A whole new world unfolded before me. Especially the pettiness from (local) governments.
An example of how (local) governments in the Netherlands work (and probably all over the world). There's a new rule. Every shipping company has to pay euro 8,-- per person tourist tax when they moor in Amsterdam. Can you imagine what this means for a big cruise ship? In this rule it says 'they're' going to check it randomly. What probably means they're not going to check but it's easy money, it's an easy 'milking cow'.
Me, as a citizen of Amsterdam, these tourists aren't bothering me. The stag party's, the stoned and drunk tourists on bicycles, the hordes of housewives from other parts of the Netherlands who basically are 'afraid' of Amsterdam and constantly complaining, the riksja's / tuktuk's on the bicycle lanes which are too small ... these tourists are bothering me. What are they going to do, stand on the train platform and ask for euro 8,--? Or ask the NS (dutch railways) to pay euro 8,-- for every visitor? What do you think?
(Side track: what about the lobby of the big hotels? The local government here is blaming Airbnb. Okay, I can understand that they have to sit around a table with them for stricter rules. But Airbnb is spreading the tourists, and these tourists are always 1, 2, 3, 4 persons. I complain about the permits they give to big hotels, they build on spots where we can build houses.
Okay, enough, I'm getting annoyed)
Back to the Liegeplatz Conference. The Port Of Amsterdam told that they were also dealing with complaints of people who live near the main port (near the Central Station). Mind you. All brand new buildings. They have a bunch of people walking around there to help and warn and protect the tourists who arrive by ship (also in the evening / night).
Help: if you have every been in Amsterdam ... there's a bicycle lane they have to cross :). And the landing place is from wood and can become very slippery.
Warn: don't make to much noise.
Protect: as in every big city, thiefs, pick pockets.
That friend couldn't join the evening program. Just as I was outside, smoking a cigarette (yes, I smoke, sue me), wondering if I would join that evening I met a woman who was working with this team of people. The stories she told me were mind blowing.
As for the noise disturbance ... YOU KNEW THIS WHEN YOU BOUGHT YOUR APARTMENT, DON'T COMPLAIN!!!!! You live in the f**king center of a big city! The same happens in my hood. I live nearby a park with a lot of events. The neighbouring hood was shabby. Now it's getting very trendy to buy apartments there. And yes, they complain about the events. This would be the same as buying an apartment on the Dam Square in Amsterdam and start a protest group against all the people passing, staying, hang out over there.
I realize this is a very confusing blog post. But very necessary for me. This way I 'walk off the pain' :).
As you can imagine of course I went and joined the evening program. We went on a tour boat. And on our way to a 'Dutch' restaurant Haesje Claes we passed some projects of the Amsterdam Light Festival. I didn't see any of the projects because I met the owner of MS De Jordaan, the pink party boat, well known in Amsterdam. I had the best time every. Good people. Good company. And on my bucket list is definitely, at least, the 'bitterballen tour'.
(explanation bitterbal:
Basically a round kroket)
If you ever visit Amsterdam ... a must do.
And to create a perfect circle ... Wouldn't it be awesome to get yachts like this in Amsterdam?! Wouldn't it? Local government? Wouldn't it?
