Ida – Graphic designer from Helsinki, currently doing her masters in the Netherlands.
I love the small village feeling of Amsterdam, the gardens that people have and the bike friendliness of the city. One of the things I do weekly, and which has become a favorite of friends who visit, is going to the Lindengracht market to buy flowers. The Lindengracht market is probably one of the best food markets in Amsterdam. Each Saturday, 232 market stands are built along the whole street. Originally it was just a Jordaan neighborhood market which has existed since 1895 and from 1922 onwards it has been a so-called day market. Whilst I am in the area, I like to make a stop at Saint-Jean – a neighborhood hideout serving you perfectly roasted coffee and freshly baked goods.
The most beautiful place I’ve visited in the Netherlands so far is the island of Texel. I fell in love with the endlessness of its 30 km long sandy white beaches, the cows at the horizon, the marvelous nature reserves, and the thousands of sheep you’ll find there. During my stay on the island, I stayed in a small cottage and picked my own strawberries at a farm. On Texel you will also find the ‘Salt Farm Texel’, also known as Zilt Proefbedrijf (Tested on Texel). It’s a company where science, agronomy and business come together. The company is committed to develop saline agriculture.
Lastly, I’m feeling very inspired by the flowers grown here in the Netherlands and all the talented florists. I did a two-day flower bouquet course in Aalsmeer at Boerma Instituut. Since the school’s start in 1980 people from all over the world have travelled here to study Dutch Floral Design. All their courses are all-inclusive, meaning that all the necessary materials like flowers, foliage, side-materials, but also coffee, tea and a certificate are included. During a full-day course a delicious lunch is also included, which was definitely a highlight of my time at Borema! Good to note is that tools are excluded from the course costs, but these can be purchased in the cute little shop on site.