Interview with Madelien Schippers (Amsterdam Spotter)!

Spotted By Locals
March 19, 2012
3 min read
Madelien Schippers, Spotter Amsterdam

Today an interview with Madelien Schippers, Spotter for our Amsterdam city guide.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I just came back from a two month trip through South East Asia, after I finished my master Business last year at the VU university. At the moment I’m looking for a new and cool job opportunity, while in the meantime I’ll work some part-time jobs, take a photography course and enjoy the good life in Amsterdam. I hope to discover new spots and I’ll visit my beloved old spots. Furthermore, I like to cook, especially spicy Thai curries for my friends.

How do you like being a Spotter?
One of my best friends was a spotter before, through her I was introduced to Spotted by Locals. Together we discovered new places in Amsterdam, especially the clubs and bars back then! But I was also an avid user (even as a local!) of the spots other spotters wrote about. When I had the opportunity to become a spotter myself, I did not have a doubt. I enjoy sharing spots I like to visit in Amsterdam and Spotted by Locals is the perfect platform to do this.

And yes, a nice story to share is that once an English guy wrote me a message on Facebook, because he enjoyed reading my articles and was coming to Amsterdam the week after with his band for a concert. He invited me to come to the concert, which was really nice of him to do! Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make it, but it’s definitely fun to see what Spotted by Locals brings about.

Why Amsterdam?
Why? Because there is nothing like Amsterdam! I love living here! Where on earth can you drive through the whole city on your bike? The nightlife is still one of the best in Europe, especially if you like electronic music. A must do: certainly rent a bike and experience the freedom it gives you yourself. Take a map and make a great tour around the canals in the city center, you will see much more this way. Just skip the noisy and touristy red light district, it is nothing like the real Amsterdam. Rather take a stroll in the ‘Jordaan’ or the ‘Pijp’, which is much more representative.

What is the most popular neighborhood to live in Amsterdam at this moment?
For sure still the most popular quarter is the ‘Pijp’, part of ‘Oud-Zuid’. This neighborhood is very lively with a lot of nice bars, restaurants (most of them with very reasonable prices), the famous market ‘Albert Cuyp’ and a nice park where you can chill in the summer: the ‘Sarphatipark’. And everything is in walking distance.

Can you describe a perfect day in your city?
I will start the day with a lunch at Vlaamsch Broodhuys, here they have delicious sandwiches and the coffee is good. After a satisfactory lunch I would visit an interesting exposition at one of the museums close to the museum square (pictured at beginning) to add a pinch of culture for the day. Stroll around and do some shopping in the ‘9 straatjes’ and take a quick peek in the cozy vintage shop Laura Dols. Not far from there I will visit my one of my favorite Mexicans: Los Pilones for some good tacos and a margarita’s. If I still feel like partying I will go to one of the nice bars in the ‘Jordaan‘ or to the Chicago Social Club at the Leidse square.

Is there something else you want to share?
Come visit, and explore this great city as a local yourself!

Check out all articles by Madelien Schippers and our other Spotter interviews.

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