The huge amount of flower shops in Amsterdam epitomises not only the life-time relationship between the Netherlands and flora but also how keen Dutch people are to nurture a close relationship with the greens. But one shop, in my opinion, certainly stands out the most: Mooi Anders, an urban jungle that caught my attention since the very first time I passed by its doors.
Throughout Sicily, not only in shops and ateliers, but on verandas and terraces of many houses, we find the colorful and unmistakable pinecones and the adorned heads that carry a lot of symbolism beyond its decorative character. These heads, called "Teste di Moro" or "Moorish Heads", originated in the 11th century.
Amsterdam is the opposite of a consumerist city and influenced by regions such as Denmark, Sweden and Finland. The most interesting ones are small multibrand stores dedicated to items ranging from clothing to home accessories and cosmetics. It's where we find an excellent birthday gift for a friend or a treat for ourselves.
One of the most interesting ways to get to know the local food is visiting food markets and street fairs: a tip that would seem obvious, if it was not for the conceptual change that these types of food centers have been going through.