Amsterdam here I come!!!
So my trip is quickly approaching (two weeks!!!) and I am getting pretty
excited. I am also a little nervous but I am sure all will be well. I have
found many, many things to do while we are there: Van Gogh Museum, there is
a wildlife preserve a ways out of town , shopping and the Anne Frank House.
I am just wondering if there are any neccesities that I should take along,
like a money belt. Also, should I take a few Euros with me before I am
outside of the country?
You all have more experience with this type of thing than me and I need some
pointers.
excited. I am also a little nervous but I am sure all will be well. I have
found many, many things to do while we are there: Van Gogh Museum, there is
a wildlife preserve a ways out of town , shopping and the Anne Frank House.
I am just wondering if there are any neccesities that I should take along,
like a money belt. Also, should I take a few Euros with me before I am
outside of the country?
You all have more experience with this type of thing than me and I need some
pointers.
Monica--
You may want to take a money belt just in case. Obviously you don't need to use it if you feel safe. The most important thing, even if you have a money belt, is to be aware of what's going on around you. There is little you can do to not stick out as an American. It can make you a target, so just know where your money is if you are on a crowded subway or train; don't leave any bags laying out on public transportation. You can use your bag as a pillow and you will know it is safe. Petty crime is much more common in Europe than here. Most of all, don't take very valuable items.
Don't take a lot of American dollars or traveler's cheques to exchange-- they charge you a leg to exchange it! When you get to the airport, find an ATM and withdraw some money in Euros. You will get the current exchange rate and little withdrawal fee. You should call your bank before you go for two reasons:
1) make sure that you have a universal ATM card
2) tell them when you will be overseas. Call your credit card company too and tell them. Frequent and/or large unusual purchases-- such as going overseas-- sends a red flag to your bank and credit card and they may freeze your account, thinking they are protecting you from a stolen account. Don't get stuck without money!
Packing: take as little as possible to still be comfortable. It will probably be easy to find a laundromat if you only take clothes for one week. Remember the plastic ziploc bags trick? It makes packing a lot easier, plus you can reuse them for dirty clothes.
Look up a convenience store in a guide book-- you could just buy soap and shampoo on your first day, then throw it out before you leave. No worries about exploding bottles on the plane!
Last of all, take comfortable shoes!!!!
I hope you have a great time! Take lots of pictures!!!!
MA
Monica,
Yippee!
I agree with MA on everything, especially the shoes and packing light. All I can add is go to the Rijks museum to see the best collection of Rembrandts in the world!
Have fun and (it goes without saying, but I will) take lots of photos!
Nancy
I would use the money belt. Basically you are trying to stick your wallet under your clothes so some little kid with sticky fingers can't get in there real fast.
The only place I got pickpocketed in all Europe was in Amsterdam right outside the airport by three little kids. While I was carrying my heavy bags and one of them pretended to be telling me a funny story, the other ones were trying all the zippers on my backpack - they thought I wouldn't notice. Luckily my wallet was on my front side, and all my luggage zippers were locked, so they got nothing.
That was only at the train station at the airport. In the cities I never felt safer in my life.