As soon as these pages came online, a lot of feedback from
visitors began to come in. I enjoy this. In fact, the comments from people
all over the world make it all worthwhile.
However, some people seem to think that I'm running some kind of free tourist
information office. This is not the case. :-) I'll be happy to answer all kinds
of questions and see if I can help you, but there are limits. So here are
a few brief answers to the kind of questions that I have received.
I am working for a company in [...] and I intend to ship large
quantities of ore/chemicals/other goods through Rotterdam. Could you
kindly provide me with a comprehensive list of all companies that are
involved with this business and tell me how to contact them?
Sorry. There are thousands of companies active in the Rotterdam
area, and only a few of them operate in my field of expertise. Your best
starting point would probably be the Rotterdam Municipal Port
Authority: Visiting address:
Galvanistraat 15
Port number 320 Contact-address:
P.O. Box 6622
3002 AP Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Phone: +31-10-2521010
Fax: +31-10-2 521020
e-mail: info@port.rotterdam.nl
URL: www.port.rotterdam.nl
I am looking for a lost friend or relative who lives or used to live
in Rotterdam. His/her name is [...]. Can you help me?
Sorry. This is a big city. Unless people are listed in the phone
book, there's no way for me to track anyone down, period. (I'm willing
to see if a person is listed. If he or she isn't listed, there's
nothing I can do.) No, I cannot help you to find or contact a private
investigator here in the Netherlands. I don't know anything about it,
and few investigation firms here have websites in English. If you want
to hire an investigator, the best way to do that may be through a local
agency that works internationally.
I am doing research on my ancestors who came from Rotterdam. Can you
help me?
Not personally. The best place to start for that sort of thing is without
doubt the
Rotterdam
Municipal Archive. They should be able to help you or at least to
give you directions. They used to have an English section, but at the
moment all I can find is Dutch. Morons. Their contact address is
info@gar.nl.
In 1959, I met this guy from Holland. His name was De Vries or
something. [Or some other common Dutch name]. Do you know him?
People, please... get real. :-) There are over 16 million of us
living here, and we're moving around a great deal. Of course it's
possible that I know a particular person, but the probability is between
neglegible and zero.
Before I emigrated umpteen decades ago, I used to live in this or that
street. I wonder what has become of it.
On my links page there is a link to the site of Aad van der Struijs,
who may be willing to take pictures for you and put them on his site.
I suggest you contact him.
I'd like you to take this-or-that picture for me.
Well, so would I. Unfortunately, my spare time is extremely limited
these days, so I just can't run a free photo service for everyone.
I'm sorry.
I'll be coming to Rotterdam. What about hotels/car rentals/things to
see and do, etc.?
There are a lot of hotels, and the major car rental companies are well
represented here, so you should have no problems. However, it might not
be a bad idea to make advance reservations through your local travel
agency. On airports and all major stations you'll find tourist
information booths, they will at least be able to give you directions.
I'm looking for accommodation in Rotterdam. Can you help me?
That might prove to be a bit of a challenge. Furnished apartments are
for rent, typically for periods from a month to one or two years, but
they don't come cheap; expect to pay reates between 1000 and 2000
Euro's. (Exchange rates vary, check the financial columns of
a recent issue of your local newspaper for details.) Unfurnished
apartments are typically rented for a minimum of one year, and are
cheaper. However, they are completely unfurnished (read: bare
walls and floors, nothing more) and upholstering/furnishing
will only be cost-effective if you plan to stay at least several
years. A large number of real estate brokers are active in Rotterdam,
and it's impossible for me to even begin to make a list, not to
mention keeping it up-to-date. I suggest you check the yellow pages
when you're here, or try to make arrangements through a local firm
that provides international services.
What about traffic in Holland / around Rotterdam?
After I returned from three weeks of driving in the U.S., it was a bit
of a shock to get back into Dutch traffic. Let's face it, we are less
than disciplined on the road. Dutch drivers will generally ignore the
speed limits and regard other traffic rules as a friendly advice at
best, switch lanes frequently and unnecessarily, and overtake you on
both sides. (Drivers in Holland should keep right except when overtaking
slower traffic.) No, we're not a bunch of maniacs, but if you're used
to traffic in the US or Australia, driving here will take a little
getting used to. (Note: we're driving on the right side of the road,
as God intended. <g>) The roads in the south-west especially
are filled to capacity and beyond, so expect major congestion during rush
hours. Distances in Holland are short (you can drive from one end of the
country to another in a few hours) and our public transportation system
is pretty good.
I don't speak Dutch. Will people in Rotterdam be able to understand
me?
Usually they will. Most people here speak at least a reasonable degree
of English, especially the post-60's generation. Getting service in
bars, hotels or restaurants won't be a problem at all in most cases,
and most companies, information offices and shops are used to dealing
with foreign visitors. However, a simple English/Dutch dictionary probably
won't hurt. :-)
I'm trying to transact such-and-such business. I need detailed
information about the market for <whatever>. Can you help
me?
Sorry. I have to make a living, so I can't do much during office hours.
If you intend to do business in the Netherlands, either find a company
that speaks English and/or knows about your business, or work through
a local agent. I am unable and unwilling to transact business for
you. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but if you want to do business, I suggest
that you take care of it yourself.
What about drugs in Holland?
Good question.
Some people (especially in the US) seem to be under the impression that
drugs are a common article in Holland, that most people smoke pot all the
time, and I've even been asked if it's considered acceptable to be
stoned while at the office. Obviously we need to clear up a few
misconceptions here.
The enforcement of Dutch legislation on drugs is a bit ambivalent.
Let me make one thing absolutely clear: The possession, use, transportation, purchase and/or
sale of drugs is a crime, and is treated
accordingly.
However, the sale of soft drugs (e.g. Marihuana) in small quantities
(typically a maximum of five grams) and posession of same for personal use
is tolerated in certain selected locations. These are usually so-called
coffeeshops. The reason they're called coffeeshops is that they are not
licenced to sell alcohol. It does not mean that any place that sells
coffee also sells pot.
Holland (and Amsterdam especially) has a reputation for tolerance towards
substance abuse in some countries (e.g. the US). While it is true that
there is a certain amount of tolerance, that does NOT mean that anything
goes. As a rule of thumb, you can safely visit a coffeeshop, buy a small
amount of the weed of your choice, and smoke it there. Although
this is essentially illegal, if the law be interpreted strictly,
it is tolerated. Read: it's against the law, but that law is deliberatly
not enforced, on the assumption that controlled abuse of illegal
substances is better (or rather a lesser evil) than uncontrolled use
of same. However, anything else (e.g. openly taking drugs out on the
street or using other drugs than Marihuana) is generally a good way to
get in trouble. Being caught in possession of five grams or less of pot
is usually not a big problem, but neither is it legal. Please be aware that you do this at your own
risk.
Synthetic drugs (pills) remain very illegal. They are generally
available at parties, but this is only occasionally tolerated. Dance
clubs are frequently being closed down and arrests are being made for
trade in or possession of XTC or other synthetic "party
drugs".
Hard drugs (such as heroin or cocaine) are an excellent opportunity to
sample the pleasures of imprisonment at your leisure. You have been
warned.
Do you smoke much pot?
I don't even smoke.
Can you tell me where to order tickets for this-or-that
concert/show/event?
Sorry. I have no idea where to start. Concert organization bureaus
usually do their pre-sales though post offices and ticket offices,
but if they have a central information number that foreigers might
call, I don't know it. Maybe a local travel agency can help you.
I read or heard things about Rotterdam that don't make any sense. How
come?
It's possible that you read or heard about the town of
Rotterdam, NY in the US. Same
name, different town (and to add to the confusion, a few miles from
Rotterdam, NY you'll find Amsterdam, NY).
