The Adventures of Lorie and Brian Groth

Skinny houses.

As if you haven’t figured it out yet, most of the houses on the canals are very skinny, because people were taxed on the width of their home.

We took Friday afternoon off and drove to Haarlem, although I think it’s quicker by car. It is certainly one cute village, but big enough to feel like a good sized town, which of course it is.

Rooftop gardens.

If you’re lucky enough to have a flat roof (and no leaks), then you can have a rooftop garden that also looks out over the canals and streets.

Boats that cruise by your house.

If you live on a canal, expect to have your home photographed. I had lunch at a little café on the water and I’m pretty sure at least one person in the 10 or so boats that went past me took my photo. Or at least, I was in the photo they took of the buildings.

Boat houses.

These are not in the immediate city center, but on the canals outside of it. They are sort of like boat houses, but they don’t house any boats. They are the only structures that go down to the water and always have a boat landing/dock associated to them.

Shutters.

You don’t see too many shutters on the windows here, but some buildings certainly do a good job with them.

Roof art.

Notice the globe at the top of the building. Not too many houses have artwork on the roof though. I can see the back side this one from my office too.

The basement entrance.

Yes, there are half-basements in Amsterdam, which means you probably live below water level. Not every building has them, but it’s pretty common to see these entrances. At the base of the building I work, the basement is used by a store that designs men’s short pants.

Street names of the corner buildings.

Most corners have signs for both street names posted, and when it’s not there you have to look around at the other corners.

Roof access.

Notice the ladder at the top of this building, which you can get to by crawling out of the window. How would you like to have to do that?