One large omelette and some light shopping followed before Captain Feet took me to the University of Amsterdam. I stopped to peek into the courtyard through the vaunted stone arch entrance when a rush of students sprouted from behind. It was quite easy to fall in line with the the wave of students, backpacks slung over the shoulder of their peacoats, ashing their cigarette butts on old stone walls. Like a chameleon in the crowd, I copied their shuffle through the gorgeous courtyard, a spacious lobby, a hallway out of a 70s high school movie, until I found myself in front of two classroom doors. One had about 20 chairs. Far too risky. The next door opened to a large lecture hall, though the only open seats were in the front three rows. The slides were also in Dutch. I don’t speak Dutch. So I left, dropping out after minute four of my lifelong dream to graduate from this prestigious and esteemed university.

Amsterdam is a terrific city for a lots of activities but walking with headphones is not one of them. Bike bells ding and e-bikes and mopeds roar by pedestrians. Some intersections mimic Frogger with a two-lane of bikers, a lane of cars, a two-way lane of trams, another lane of cars, and you guessed it, another two-way lane of bikers. Keeping the AirPods in my bag and listening more intently to the sounds of the city kept me present. Seagulls and planes flew overhead while faint hums from boat motors drifted through canals. The shoes of passerbys speaking different languages made subtle sounds on the uneven brick streets and sidewalks. Amsterdam possesses a natural inclination for quietude, rare for a city, counter to the traveler's thirsting desire to describe cities as loud and vibrant (like Mexico City). It feels orderly and exudes a peaceful inertia. Less decibels each day made for a clearer head.

And in a brief ode to the canals, thank you canals of Amsterdam. You can find all you’re looking for in Amsterdam along the canals. This includes the Houseboat Museum which is nine euros and definitely worth it to see the inner mechanisms of these boats and the unique lifestyles they encompass. I found myself appreciating the city most when I walked along the canals and let my eyes and feet wander. There were all types of shops and gorgeous, tall and narrow canal houses to discover. Soundless streets made for pause and reflection. Cozy cafes and inviting bars to pop in to for a drink or a bite. All roads lead to Rome and most canals in Amsterdam eventually lead to Amsterdam Central station and the thriving hub around it full of people. Venice may hold the reputation and prestige as Europe’s famed canal city, but Amsterdam deserves its credit as a fellow canal enjoyer.

Of course when in Amsterdam I hit some of the important sites — like a meaningful morning stop to the Anne Frank House, spending hours in the Risjkmuseum, walking through Vondelpaark, and shopping at Museumplein — but along the canals I really got my fill. Many of the spots and recommendations on my notes app, so generously added by many folks, were not checked off the list (sorry). Though all the spots checked off were fantastic. There is only so much time in a long weekend, so many hours in a day, and so long my achey 25 year-old legs can carry me. On some trips I’ll feel a certain remorse for missing a key cultural heritage site, or skipping a museum to sleep in, or not experiencing a popular dish in a notable neighborhood. But in Amsterdam, I felt plenty satisfied just enjoying the scenery around me and listening to my head and heart.