Spend a decent amount of time in Amsterdam, either as a tourist, worker, or student, and you'll eventually see some form of container housing. Over the past decade, as builders struggle to keep up with demands, housing corporations and the city of Amsterdam have had to get creative, hence the shipping containers. What used to be a container that would travel around the world or sit on the docks of some port city, are given windows, heating, plumbing, and all the basic characteristics of a livable apartment. The only caveat being, you're in a container!

But nothing I'm telling you is new news in this town.

What is new is that one of the largest housing corporations in the city has started a container housing building factory. The facility is located in the East of Amsterdam and will be focused on giving job and skills training to young people. Don't worry, they will only work 2 days a week and training jobs at the container factory will only last a few months.

It is expected that the factory will produce 200 container housing units per year. So while they may not be the MOST comfortable housing in the city, it is good to know there is another initiative for not only creating more housing, but also for giving young people a chance to learn something practical for the future.

A few kilometers outside of Haarlem, there is Bloemendaal. Known most for its beach, Bloemendaal also has lots and lots of sand dunes that stretch for many kilometers.

This year the organization "Duin en Daal" (dedicated to the dunes) celebrates 100 years of being dedicated to preservation, appreciation, and use of the dunes. In honor of that landmark, they will be hosting a series of nature walks through the dunes. Last week was the first of the season, with the next walk taking place on the 26th of April. Consult their website for phone numbers and other info in order to get in on the walk. As someone who has wandered the dunes on bike for hours on end, I highly recommend this beautiful and therapeutic activity.

I'll never see a tulip without automatically thinking of Amsterdam, and indeed the whole of the country. I recently went to Istanbul, a city alight with new spring growth- and their very own tulip festival. Yet somehow it just did not feel authentic to me. Tulips are Dutch, plain and simple!

Here you can see a planted row outside of the famous Topkapi Palace, home to the Sultans for centuries.

Do you think they import??

I'm speaking at a German bloggers conference in Berlin this weekend. Although Id love to give you the to-do list for this fine city, Ill stick to the quick list for Amsterdam.

Saturday:

The Nephew Brothers sing gospel music, and you know its going to sound amazing; De Nieuwe Anita, 8pm, €5.

Cape Verdian legend Tito Paris; Tropentheater, Grote Zaal, 3pm, €20.

It is a metal band, they still exist, Kamelot; Paradiso, 6:30pm, €21.

Sunday:

People looove Portishead, but you'll have to be resourceful about finding tickets; Heineken Music Hall, 8pm, sold out.

DNK-Amsterdam, the experimental music project that moves around the city; SMART Project Space, 9:30pm, €5.

Celebrated saxophonist Hans Dulfer; Sugar Factory, 10pm, €11.

The Netherlands hosts a regular array of festivals for any taste. I've recently uncovered a websites called Latinfestivals.nl that lists upcoming Latin music events. A few examples:

Contrabando! Latin Connexion will play in Paradiso in Amsterdam on April 19.

Hvenement is active in Breda from April 29 through May 25.

The Venezuela Festival will be held in Utrecht starting May 23.

Get out there, see the Netherlands and do some dancing!

I've discovered a Netherlands-based blog that is definitely worth sharing. It's called the style files, maintained by Danielle de Lange who posts a number of charming, beautifully illustrated entries each day about design and lifestyle. I stop by on a regular basis just to check out what she's featuring. Today, for example, I was delighted with these examples of Ceramic Ware by Monique Goossens. What a visual treat!

The 24th annual Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival in on this week at my most-favorite theatre in town, the Pathe Tuschinski off of Rembrandtplein. From the 9th to the 20th of April, see extraordinary new and old films in luxury at this gorgeous venue.

The opening night, Wednesday the 9th, will show The Fall, a controversial yet "uplifting" fantasy film about a mesmerizing story told to an injured child by a bedridden, psychotic man. The Fall will be preceded by an introduction of the guest of honor Tim Burton (good luck getting tickets!).

You can also catch Burton live at the opening of Edward Scissorhands, his classic film starring Johnny Depp with two fistsful of knives, on Thursday the 10th.

Well it finally happenned... Starbuck's Coffee has opened up in the main plaza at Schiphol airport. It has actually been open for a month or two, as prior to this one only ticketed passengers could frequent the only Starbuck's in the country.

From here on in, all you have to do to drink a Tall Laté Moccachino Watchamacallit, is take the train to the airport and right when you come up from the trains, there she is.

One thing to keep in mind about Starbuck's at the airport, both stores are constantly busy; you will stand in a fairly significant line. Also you're paying in euros yet the prices look like numbers you'd normally see in dollars.

And that, ladies and gentlement, is your Starbuck's in the Netherlands report.

Expatica publishes a What's On Guide every Thursday, where it lists the latest on a variety of events including concerts, exhibitions, festivals and it's own entertaining to-do list such as SpeedDate.

This week there's cinema reviews, parties in Amsterdam, classic and Arthouse cinema listings - you name it! Don't stay home and sulk until you check out this comprehensive source.

As usual, so many of the hottest bands are coming to Amsterdam. Here I provide to you a little tip, an early warning for buying your tickets in advance, since they sell out quick- and you don't want to resort to begging and/or selling your 'personal items' to scalpers at the door, now do you?

29th April: CocoRosie at Concertgebouw, 10:30pm

8th May: Morcheeba, classic groove/trip hop from Brighton, at Paradiso

12th May: Explosions in the Sky at Paradiso

22nd May: Lee Scratch Perry, ReggaeMaster at Tivoli Oudegracht (in Utrecht)

2nd June: Cat Power at Paradiso (this one is going to sell out fast!)

1st July: Radiohead and Bat for Lashes at Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek (buy it right now)

Changing things up, here are a few vital events not to miss in Amsterdam this Sunday and Monday evening.

Sunday:

OK, it is sold out. But as I always say, don't let a little thing like tickets stop you from going to see the Shout Out Louds; Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 8:30pm.

Alternatively, and equally if not more cool, you might just love Hayseed Dixie. You might know them as the band that takes mainstream hits and plays them as bluegrass country style tunes. HILARIOUS; Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 9pm, €13.50 + membership.

Monday:

If you're passionate about the world and passionate about music, Billy Bragg is the quintessential singer for you. I'll be there hoping he plays some old labor songs; Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 8:30pm, €15 + membership.

Another great blog to share - this time it's one by pia jane bijkerk. This individual regularly posts fascinating shots of Amsterdam along with her adventures in capturing the moment. She'll give you a unique and lovely perspective on the city, whether you're a first-time visitor or intimately familiar with its streets.

Check out the stroll, part two. She provides a soundtrack to play while scrolling through photos of her most recent stroll through Amsterdam's streets. Fabulous! I have no doubt you'll want to experience the same magic she captures.

The lovely city of Rotterdam is hosting a women-only run, where runners gain sponsorship and raise money for breast cancer awareness. Participants can choose to participate in a 3km, 6.5km or a 10km.

The run will take place on Sunday, June 22, 2008. All other details, including registration, can be found on the (pink) website.

What a great way to stay in shape and raise money for a good cause!

A few years ago I witnessed the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) being constructed and I thought to myself -- huh? A cruise ship terminal in the middle of the city, right smack next to Central Station?

Now I suppose I must eat my words, as the PTA is reporting that business is booming. 118 ships are expected this year alone, and 200,000 people are expected, breaking all previous records. Not only that, according to a recent report, more and more cruise ship companies are choosing the PTA and Amsterdam as their home port. Which still makes me wonder, how to they even fit?

But nevermind that.. they do fit. And chances are, some of you will be on a cruiseline that passes through Amsterdam at some point, and you'll come through that beautiful glass building next door to the Bimhuis and the Muziekgebouw. What cruiselines serve Amsterdam? Here's a list to start you off, though I'm sure there are more.

Are you a closet (or in the open) facebook user? I don't use mine very much, but that is because I am aware of the obsessive nature of these social networking websites. And, I'm too busy following blogs.

Anyway, you can become a member of the Amsterdam Weekly facebook group and receive hot tips, news, contest info and more.

Also find out about events that the Amsterdam Weekly team are hosting- this is good for English speaking newcomers to meet some interesting expats. I'm not working for them by writing this, I just really enjoy their content! And their contests- with free stuff!

Looking over the European City Ratings from Tripadvisor.com I had a laugh when I saw that Brussels was voted most boring European City.

So where did Amsterdam end up in their voting?

#2 after Dublin for city with most friendly and helpful locals, I'm a bit impressed.

#2 after London for best nightlife. Makes sense.

#3 for cities with best public parks, despite the fact that the one's in Amsterdam are fairly small.

The one area I thought Amsterdam deserved to do well in and they did not make the top three: Most Attractive Locals. Somehow Rome finished number one for that category.

Maybe I should hand out some trippist awards, based on my own internal polling.

Punk Rock and Opera are the themes for this weekend in the Amsterdam area, here are some reasons why:

Friday:

Millencolin pop-punk from Sweden, if only I could convey how this band influenced my high school years. Melkweg, The Max, 7pm, €16 + membership.

The Real Amsterdam Underground and I predict it will be loud; Cave Canem, Vuur and Bombenalarm at OCCII, 9pm, €5.

Saturday:

Opera from Koor en Orkest van De Koninklijke Muntschouwburg; Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 7:30pm, €56.75/€67.

And then more Opera, Verdi's Un ballo in maschera; Het Muziektheater, 7:30pm, €15-€90.

Subbacultcha! Kania Tieffer with opening act The Wooden Constructions; De Nieuwe Anita, 8pm, €6.

Sunday:

Even more punk, this time from Angels and Airwaves; Melkweg, The Max, 8pm, €17 + membership.

.... after all this, your new favorite music will be known as punk-opera.

A call from Amsterdam Weekly - stories are due by 10 am on Monday (April 21), so be quick if you want to contribute!

You read about something in Amsterdam Weekly and as a result something weird and wonderful happened to you. For example, you thought a gig listing sounded interesting so you went and discovered that indeed dubstep-yodel-metal is your new favourite musical genre. You answered a classified and met the love of your life—but then it turned out to be your cousin. You went to a restaurant recommended by the Glutton and got food poisoning and as a result permanently lost your sense of smell.

We're looking for stories like these and more. Please send them as a text, picture, painting or whatever to editorial@amsterdamweekly by 10am Monday 21 April. We'll print it in the next issue (as long as it's short and sweet—or short anyway…).

Starting this Wednesday (and for one whole year) Amsterdam will be World Book Capital. The title granted by UNESCO will reaffirm Amsterdam's international reputation as a place of refuge for free speech and the written word.

Ever since the Golden Age of the Dutch Republic in the 17th century, Amsterdam has been a world book capital with a leading reputation in the Netherlands and beyond. Amsterdam has always opened its doors to writers fleeing oppression elsewhere. Along with the open-mindedness of the book trade, this tradition has ensured the Dutch capital’s thriving success as a literary hub, as a home to many industrious writers, printers, bookshops, publishers and antiquarian booksellers.

These events seem worth visiting:

May 18: Biggest book market of Europe in the streets of Amsterdam.

June 1 - September 8: Poetry in the Park. Two days of poetry in ten of Amsterdam's city parks. The project starts in the Vondelpark and will end in the Westerpark.

July 1 - August 31: Exhibition about Anne Frank in the new Public Library

September 1 - October 31: Exhibition about Spinoza in the new Public Library

Do you want to integrate deeper into your local Dutch community? Do you wish to buy your exotic veg at the Albertcuypstraat using the native tongue? But are you unemployed? Working a low paid job? A student? Broke?

Try language exchange, a free service you give and receive! I like to meet in a cafe, and just spend an hour taking turns learning catch phrases, the alphabet, and key words to start communicating quickly 'on the street'. You must be dedicated, as these language partner relationships can fall out quickly (due in part to the freedom inherent in a free service- i.e. money equals commitment).

What does 'gezellig' mean? What is 'Koninginnedag'? How do you pronounce 'goedemorgen'? All good questions.

To find a suitable language partner, I recommend looking at the UvA (University of Amsterdam) posterboards at locations across the city (look for the UvA sign). As well, you can try some of these online websites listing people looking for language partners:

Expatriates.com
Intercambio website
Justlanded website
Student Language Exchange

You will also find many other languages on offer (probably for your English or Dutch), including Turkish, Spanish, or Russian.

Recently Bicyclemark wrote about the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam and how business is booming for cruise ships looking to dock there. I visited the new building yesterday for a conference, and was able to see it in its full glory from the inside.

Apparently PTA is about more than just welcoming boat-loving visitors. It has the complete facilities of a conference center, complete with catering, meeting rooms, and lounging areas with brightly colored beanbag chairs and a great view of the city. I enjoyed my time there - especially the beautiful walk along the water from the Central Station.

Its the Queen's day warm up, the weekend before the big part-ay.

Friday:

Songwriter Eileen Rose; Maloe Melo, 10pm, €5.

The Independent Night Unplugged - a whole lot of acoustic guitars; Winston Kingdom, 8h30pm, €6.

Saturday:

Juan Carmona Grupo - Flamenco; KIT Tropentheater, 8:30pm, €20.

The Posies - also rather acoustic; Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 9pm, €14 + membership.

Eliane Elias Trio; Bimhuis, 9pm, €20.

Sunday:

Nata Tsvereli plays piano; Bethaniënklooster, 3pm, €16.50.

La Nuit Arabe means beautiful music; Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 6:15pm, €21 + membership.

Raggae lovers will enjoy Rasta Transport; Bitterzoet, 10pm, €7.50.

Your queen's day instructions are forthcoming.

Thinking about leaving Amsterdam to live in a different Dutch city, or maybe moving to the Netherlands and wondering where to settle down? If you're worried about the possible lack of an international community outside the capital city, have no fear. Expats thrive in many parts of the country.

Two popular groups include the Leiden Expats and the Legal Aliens. The Leiden Expats is the group I'm most familiar with, given that they are based in my current city. Legal Aliens is another group based in Den Haag. Both promote a variety of fun social activities like pub nights, book clubs, dinners, sports activities and even travel.

Both can be found on Yahoo Groups as well as Facebook. Happy socializing!

Queen's Day will be here before you know it, and nothing puts you in the mood more than neon orange attire. The getup is entirely your decision, but the cardinal rule is: the more orange, the better. This is assuming you are out only to have fun and not to pick up guys and girls. Because no one looks hot in neon orange. But you can certainly look ridiculous! And the more absurd you look, the more fun you will have. This is especially crucial in hitching canal rides when you are sans boat.

I recommend going over to the Dappermarket at Dapperstraat in Amsterdam East. The cheapest in town, I find all my orange essentials for a maximum price of 2 euros. Tanks, tees, inflatable hats, pants, feather boas, all neon orange, all waiting for you.

Arrive to Dappermarket every day but Sunday with public transport, using tram lines 3,7,9,10,14 and buses 22,37 and 41.

If you're currently in Amsterdam or are planning a future visit for Queen's Day, you may notice a great deal of sidewalk space being taped (or chalked) off into neat little sections with the word "Bezet" written on the space. This is the Dutch way of reserving an all-important, highly trafficked spot where they can sell all their junk on Queen's Day.

It happens all over the city, so keep your eyes peeled for this cultural nugget. And be warned to stay off the reserved spaces - you'll have a fight on your hands if you do not respect the masking tape!

Though the pre-April 30 reservation is sacred, cleaning up after Queen's Day is not. So if you miss the holiday and arrive sometime in May, have no fear - Bezet will linger on the streets for weeks to come.

I'm begging you, don't miss the Drag Queen Olympics! Queens night is famous for lots of reasons, but this contest is pure joy.

Come to the homomonument just behind the WesterKerk, a stone's throw from Anne Frank's home, and you can observe the plethora of events that will take place. Among the more famous events, the Stilleto Sprint, the Tandem Bike Ride, the Hand Bag Toss, and the Tug of War. In between there will be plenty of picture taking, taunting, hair pulling, and dancing to some of the worst music you know and love.

The games begin at 7pm, just when the Olympic Torch arrives via stretch limo from Greece. I'll be there taking plenty of video.

On 18 May 2008, Leiden hosts its 18th annual marathon event. Of course, if a marathon sounds overwhelming, there's always the possibility to run a half-marathon, a 10K or a 5K.

Even if you're not a runner, it's still a great time to visit the city! The event turns the city streets into quite a party, with live music and thousands of excited spectators cheering on their friends and loved ones.

If you do participate you can pick up keep-sakes like a t-shirt, a cap, an the always handy umbrella - for a price, of course. Good luck with the training!