In The Land of Hipsters
It has been more than 8 months living in the so-called most liberal city of Amsterdam. I had no proper time to write something about it since I barely caught up with my assignments and piles of reading materials. I thought I should dedicate a writing piece (or more) to share some experiences residing in Amsterdam. I rather call this city as the land of hipsters than a title like the liberal city. Partly it’s because how many people using Herschel and Fjall Raven bags that you found in this city. Apart from that, I believe Amsterdam is the right city for hipsters to live in. I never go to Portland, but I’m pretty sure that you cannot buy weeds with the available variant like you buy Starbucks or cocktails in Portland. It’s a highly tolerant city where you can express yourself without minding considered as a weirdo. I’m not talking about a hipster-ish style only with a VOC member’s moustache or a person with typewriter but even more minority groups like a girl with a burqa or a woman who proud with her African style. I make this point just because being hipster is a common thing here, there are people with more edgy style than the hipster template. Nevertheless, I am not saying that Amsterdam is a discrimination-free and affordable city, there are still racism cases going on and gentrification attempts happenings. Back with what makes Amsterdam hipster, this city indulges the hipster experience and fulfils your inner-hipster with its countless hot spots and rarities. Here I expound several points to justify my view.
Independent Bookstores are normal A cult bookstore pilgrimage has been a hipster-traveller checklist. When in Amsterdam, forget ABC, Waterstones or Athaneum. There are amplitude genres of bookstores in Amsterdam, who run by a small-scale syndicate or individual. Genre-wise, you can find a bookstore according to your interest and feel free to be specific. There are bookstores for leftists and anarchists, new-age devotees, graphic novel and comic junkies, sci-fi geeks, artsy people and design literate folks. You name it, Amsterdam serves it . And for those vintage hunters, worry not, because Amsterdam has many flea market events and spots. Vintage or second-hand bookstores are all over the blocks, although some of them sell dutch-only books. In a nutshell, every genre of bookstores has its regular customers and scene, to hell with all-encompassing styles of bookstores. I promise I will write a special post on this later.
Rarities & Concept Stores Here, people are so thoughtful and particular about their amusement. In this city, being atypical means being specific about what you fond of. Around Jordaan block, you can stumble upon a little shop that sells puzzles only, yes any kind of puzzle from different countries are available. You will have a chance to enter a store that offers teacups in any model and definitely only the rare one. Jordaan is also known as hipster mecca where hippest restaurants and concept stores are nestling. Amsterdammers are quite serious in the concept store business, they have a wide range of concept stores, from a street wear brands specialist to conceptual fashion brands heaven.
Record Stores We are not talking about hipster without foregrounding Amsterdam’s sprouting record stores. The rule of being specific is also applied for record stores. Obviously, there are few universal-genres record stores but most stores are genre-specific. Record stores are in every nook and cranny.
Eco-Sustainable-Fair Trade-organic-local grown Restaurants & Grocery stores I think this is a very nice part of the city. People prefer ecological food and fair source over mass-production and inorganic stuff. Of course the massive chain stores of Albert Heijn are here to stay, but you can see people in droves to buy groceries in Marqt, Stach, or Ekoplaza. If there is a hipster who intends to practice ecological lifestyle then Amsterdam will support your plan. Indeed, some stores put on higher prices for the commodities, while some local vendors in the market offer cheaper price. There are many restaurants serving local-grown organic food along with the fair-trade coffee and tea. They will make your appetite less guilty.
Smart Shops & Coffeeshops In the coffee world, there are numbers of barista championship. Likewise, in the cannabis world, there is a Cannabis Cup. In Amsterdam, Cannabis is a way of life. Cannabis experts craft their product purposefully. Coffeeshop menu is stocked with different strains of weed. If you want to meticulously grow your cannabis, smart shops are ready to provide you with bits and bobs to cultivate your seeds. Cannabis is not the only treasured for making a proper ‘trip, several smart shops also stock magic mushrooms and peyote.
Up to this point, living in Amsterdam feels like you are trapped inside the hipster-sphere. I even wonder why there is no movie, a hipsteresque version of 500 hundred days of summer made in Amsterdam (yet). Because every corner you come across, every curiosity that you discover.
