an Off-the-Beaten-Tour through the Nine Little Streets in Amsterdam

The other day, Saturday last a week ago to be exact, I was asked by someone dear to me if I wanted to go for a walk. Usually, I embark on a 5-kilometre walk through our Central Park, Vondelpark, in Amsterdam. While we already embarked on a route to this park, I asked her if she had something in mind. She said: "Now you ask, yes, I thought it would be nice to stroll through the Nine Little Streets." Since I had no objections, we changed course. In fact, I did like the suggestions since I wasn't in this little area of my town for a very long time. Must have been at least a few years ago. Cycled through it a few times since then, but not on foot.

Nine Little Streets is what it says it is: Nine little streets, in a grid of blocks, nine of them, 3 by 3. These streets are known for the cute little shops. While known mostly to locals in the past, it is now also known to tourists. Therefore, a busy area, including so-called TikTok queues. We spotted at least two of those. 30-odd people waiting in line for an entry into some TikTok influencer-promoted outlet: 1) a bakery, and 2) a bar, it seemed. For us, it was something to laugh at and quickly move on, since we locals do not want to stand in line like that, regardless of whether the product or service is of good quality.

But wait, before I continue, let me share what you can expect from this post. Since I decided to post under Worldmappin, expect a set of photographs. Although I do like overview photographs in posts about cities I have never been to, I also like to create something different. Therefore, expect a more off-the-beaten-path approach. Details are the main theme rather than street views. Owww and I so much like B&W because it gets us focused more on the image itself and what is in them. Hope you like it. When not, just skip and move on to the next post on your list {KNIPOOG}.

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On one of the corners we passed, I noticed the stickered street sign. Originally the street was called 'herengracht' ('heren' in Dutch = gentlemen in English and 'gracht' is Dutch for 'canal'), now it is called 'damesgracht' ('dames' is Dutch is Ladies in English). Due to B/W the pink colour of the sticker isn't much noticible, like the stickers on the window below the sign. A shop with tons of pink, so I guess they refactored the street sign. I had more than a big smile on my face when I saw this; Had to record this in my phone camera roll; And because of that, I decided to shoot more photographs so I have some material to share for you. Funny how life can flow, from just a walk through the park, to a walk through the Nine Little Streets to a post for HIVE. Such instant and unplanned flows make the experience better, more fun, more appreciative, more fulfilling. At least, that is my theory. In hindsight, I can conclude - at least for this adventure - the theory is true!

The nine little streets in one of the map services we have on the big wide Internet. The horizontal streets between the canals from left to right, and back. In the middle section, you see the words in blue 'De 9 Straatjes', which is Dutch for 'Nine Little Streets'.

A bit further, in one of the other streets, this beautiful balcony. Kinda 'French balcony', but then it is not. In essence, it is a balcony that isn't a balcony. It is more like a fence. With doors in the house. So one can lean outside, over the fence, when one wants, but with the feet in the apartment. In Amsterdam, we extended the French balcony with a tiny bit of concrete, wood, or whatever material, to create a tiny balcony. Usually, to fit two small chairs and a tiny table. This one, well, I can't even imagine it will fit two chairs and a tiny table; Perhaps just a single chair and perhaps a super tiny table. Nonetheless, a beauty of a balcony!

Amsterdam, also called as the Venice of the North, is builf in water, hence the gazillion canals we have and bridges and all that. While these days houses are built on poles, this wasn't always the case back when Amsterdam grew from a tiny village to a city, about 400 years ago. Because of that we have quite a few houses that are tipping. Usually to the front, since the facade is built with heavier materials than the walls of the rest of the house. In the distant past, friends from Slovenia visited Amsterdam. She knew the city. Him, her new boyfriend, never been to Amsterdam. I laughed my ass off when he eventually said: "I do not like Amsterdam too much. It is a total mess. No maintenance seems to be done on houses and streets. Everything is chaos. Houses falling over and streets not being flat and straight!" How the charm of the city is - almost - a landfill to someone else. He never returned to Amsterdam as far as I know.

Perhaps the most beautiful corner house in the nine little streets. While most of the facades are stone, this one is a combination of stone and wood. Love the cosiness, the vibe of the building. Not easy to maintain, though. Wood isn't handling the city's and - close by - harbour air pollution too well.

Because Amsterdam has so many canals - 165 with a combined length of over 100 kilometers with around 1200 bridges - we also have tons of boats in the water. To the left a brand new one, perhaps even quite an ugly one, but a practical one. To the right a boat design I really like a lot! Not sure of this is a restored one, or relatively newly built one. Looking at the stern design, I assume it is an old one, restored and all. These days such curved sterns are not built anymore. Takes too much time and cost too much money. Even wondering how many - or better said 'few' - shipyards can handle such designs. Of course, some can, those building the super yachts for the richest people in the world. Something the Netherlands is renowned for.

...and both in one shot!

Interesting corner, I find. From left to right, three buildings: 1) semi old, 2) old, 3) semi new. Great view, I find. The old one is originally, the one with the tower and all, was built to serve as Amsterdam's central post office. For years, decades even, it has been an off-the-beaten-shopping mall. Behind this building - not viewable in this photograph - one of the royal palaces is situated. Still used by our royal family, mostly for official meetings. When any of the royals is in the palace, they raise the Dutch flag so everybody can see their presence. I kinda presence indication we are familiar with in chat apps, and in email environments, but then the old-fashioned style 🎶

Another house under the influence of gravity and a not-so-supportive foundation. Slightly to the left, at the bottom, one of Amsterdam's best massage salons. Never been there, but information regarding the quality came to me through word-of-mouth, from my inner circle.

In case you like to get rid of your stickers, this is a great place to be. The sticker bar, as I call it. In fact it is a kinda bar, one without a liquor license, since the so-called coffee shops in Amsterdam are not allowed to have one. Probably coffee can be ordered at the bar, but Amsterdam coffee shops are not normal coffee shops, but shops where weed/marijuana can be bought, and smoked, for that matter. Officially not allowed to smoke in public places, in the streets, but allowed in places like this, the coffee shops.

The photograph above and the one below made me chuckle and at the same time, wonder. A shop full of ducks (above) and cows (below). Who the hell buy all these cows and ducks? A whole shop can survive on just selling ducks and the other one just cows? Honestly, I see these shops for the very first time.

I chuckled since I remembered something while I was in front of the 'cow' shop. Must have been 15-odd years ago. Didn't know what to give the late wife of my dad. Was already at the airport, travelling towards them when they lived in the southern part of France at the time. The world just introduced these colourful cows. I bought one, a small one, as decoration. When she unwrapped the gift box and saw the cow, I heard her saying in a kinda unfriendly tone: "What is your message? Do you think I am a cow?" Now a whole shop can survive just selling cows in all shapes and forms. I think I was ahead of time.

This shop is one I shall remember. When I have sufficient amount of Euro's to my disposal I shall revisit this one. They sell flowers and plants. The fake ones. But they look so real, it is not easy to detect. Ok, they don;t have a smell, and when going close to the stems and leaves, of course one can see they are not real. But still, super quality fake plants and flowers. Great versions to have at home. No maintenance others than the occasional de-dusting. I skipped going in when we past, since I knew I would've bought something. But but but, a tiny vase with some flowers in carried a price tag of 300+ Euro. A month of groceries, kinda. When I have to choose, I know what I choose. My stomach will make sure of that.

Nope, it wasn't this one with the price tag of a couple of hundred Euro's. I will not be surpirsed this bouquet will costs more than a few thousand of Euro's.

Another grand corner house! But more so, I liked the shot with the boat in front, just passing by when we intended to cross the canal.

Two decades ago I ended up for the first time in this building, the darker on in the middle of the stil image. Amsterdam oldest DIY material shop. Building and electric materials. With all the big ass chains establishing themselves over the last 30-odd years, I am positively surprised this shop is still around. Loive the building; Love the use of this building; Love the fact the owners aren't exploiting something much more profitable than a construction and electrical materials shop. Not everyone sell themselves to the highest bidder; Such a relieve.

Perfect one for me! 😆 Will you join the club as well?

Most people going for a green front go with the usual ivy. But these peeps must have thought: "Ivy, how boring! We'll go with a tree!"

Book, Books and Books. This month we have the Book Collection thingy ongoing over at HIVE Collectors community. Still need to get my entry done. In Amsterdam we have many outdoor book stations. The idea is the same as we can find in many hostels and some hotels across the world. You can take a book, when you leave a book behind. Love this. Though I always thought, this isn't working in a city such as Amsterdam due to vandalists and others who like to play games, eg take all the books, destroy them or whatever. But suprisingly, this works almost perfectly. Rarely I see books being destroyed, or even the cupboards they are places in. As if all people are good natured. As if all these people respect everything. And that is indeed what I think: Most People are Good. These book exchange setup is proof of that.

I couldn't resist, more on overview photograph rather than something detailed. This canal I like very much. One of the few where the houses have a kinda 'garden' at the back. A private outdoor not accessible for the general public. Quite rare, and therefore super luxurious when having office or living in one of these buildings.

Here we are, on our way home, outside the Nine Little Streets area. A corner building with the usual 3 floors - Amsterdam houses usually have 3 floors, well four including the ground floor. This corner house shows how we used to create outdooors, the balconies. Right fit to house 2 chairs and a little table.

"The Invisible Man", who doesn't know this cartoon figure? Perhaps you've seen the movie as well? This one I mean. Well, this sculpture is called: "The Invisible Violin player". A creation of an artist who calls himself/herself 'The Unknown Sculptor', a street artist who created more of these type of sculptures. I like this one quite a lot! Sometimes I wished I could play the violin. Next to the piano, the instrument I love the most from sound perspective!

Wasn't 100% sure to include this one in the post. Not so interesting, I would assume. That said, I never noticed this shop. The Balkan shop of Amsterdam. Selling groceries from countries part of the Balkan, such like Slovenia, Croatia, Albania and whatnot. Some great products coming from these countries. Now readily avaiable in Amsterdam! How cool is that? I'll be visiting this shop with some big ass bag from time to time, though I need to be careful, my ebike isn't much of a storage transportation vehicle. I guess I need to go by foot, with some trolley or something to be able to upload my cupboards at home with all the great sausages, bacon, wines and whatnot.

I do hope you had a pleasure reading this post and viewing the Nine Little streets. Till next time!