expat life

On Amsterdam loneliness and our stupid little walks

Amsterdam is not a place where you move to exclusively for the hustle and saving for pension. Foreigners learn to enjoy life in a very particular way. Just being here exposes you to so much world: we got a whopping 176 different nationalities present in the city. That’s why loneliness hits the hardest. Because when you sit at home with no company for Christmas, or when you don’t see anyone for days on end during this perpetual lockdown you know how different it can be.

by Ana V. Martins

Will I ever have enough friends in the Netherlands?

Many people I knew found it a challenge to make new friends in capital cities. I, on the other hand, had been adopted by a big group of folks from all over the world, Dutch included! But there was a catch. It was the August dread.

by Ana V. Martins

When living in Amsterdam is the opposite of cool x 7

When I got prompted to write about the downsides of living in Amsterdam, I thought it an unusual request but I’m the type who loves a challenge so here’s my take on the pitfalls of living here.

by Ana V. Martins

‘Innenschau’ with the Amsterdam Culture Club

It was quite a while since I’d gone to a theatre show. Joining the Amsterdam Culture Club to the performance “Innenschau” felt like the way to reestablish a state of normalcy.

by Ana V. Martins

The good old language struggle

Having to confront myself with a certain degree of language restriction is probably my biggest of daily frustrations.

by Ana V. Martins

Living in the Indische Buurt – part I

I remember feeling very happy the first day I walked the entire street alone to Albert Hein, the supermarket, and got my groceries. It was my second day in Amsterdam, and I had managed to walk a few hundred meters along my new street, buy shampoo, yoghurt and cereal without speaking the local language, and at cheaper prices than in Portugal. I felt victorious.