Kringloopwinkels. Circlewalkshops. They are Amsterdam's answer to Ikea "purpose built landfill" furniture.
Essentially second hand shops, they are treasure troves of everything. Seriously, these places have it all. I've bought a toaster for 3 euros (admittedly the people at work have made me stop using it because they think its a fire hazard). No matter what you're looking for, there is a good chance your nearest kringloopwinkel has one. They have all sorts of furniture, from beds to whole lounge suites, sports equipment, stereo and kitchen equipment, clothes, books and bikes. If you need a board game for the last few cold evenings, they've got 'em, and if you are secret collector of porcelain figurines, welcome to your Aladdin's cave.
There is an association of kringloopwinkels called the BKN that bring together all the kringloopwinkels in the Netherlands, and you can find the nearest one on their website. The shops themselves are places that provide sheltered employment for those struggling to re-enter the workforce or that have physical or mental handicaps. If you are moving house and have old usable things, they will even come and pick them up for free. In Amsterdam, Pantar is one particular organisation working with handicapped people that works with the Amsterdam council. They have 3 kringloopwinkels and many contracts for labour intensive work (last seen repairing the landing lights at Schipol) . The other big kringloopwinkel organisation in Amsterdam is Juttersdok ("Beachcombersdock") who also have 3 shops, and sell computers pre-loaded with all the open source goodness you could want. What's the greenest computer, washing machine, windsurfer or tv you can buy? The second hand one of course! The 3 Pantas and 3 Juttersdok stores are on the Eco Amsterdam google map (link top right).
I often wonder at how you could furnish your entire flat from the streets before rubbish collection day. If you're too shy to carry off loot from the streets - try the kringloopwinkel, and you'll be supporting the social economy at the same time.
Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Monday, 28 September 2009
Free ping pong!
To immediately veer away from the enormously consumerist nature of the first post, I thought I'd talk about something free. Table Tennis was a sport thought up by Victorian English people who were apparently bored a lot of the time. Every now and again in Victorian England, it would do something very unexpected, rain. Now when you are wearing about 10 kilogrammes of cotton and woollen clothing, wet is not something you want to be. This of course means lawn bowls, croquet and tennis are off, as well as the cucumber sandwiches and tea under the tree.
While it was raining, the Victorians looked around for something else to amuse themselves with. And when you can't play tennis outside, hell, play it inside. And thus the birth of table tennis. Originally played with a pile of books as a net and a champagne cork or ball of string and a couple of cigar box lids, table tennis has come a long way. Not only is it now an Olympic sport, it is played widely throughout Amsterdam. You can of course play it in a sports hall (or even with a whole lot of other people in Overtoom 301 on Tuesday evenings from 9pm onwards - recommended!), but I think the best way to play it is in a park on a sunny afternoon. Preferably with a sneaky beer in hand.
The two European cities I have lived in - Berlin and Amsterdam - both have many of these concrete outdoor tables. I think the best ones in Amsterdam are in Saraphati Park, but I would of course love to be corrected! They can get quite busy on a Saturday afternoon, as there is a hard-core of older gentlemen who play there, but they are very friendly, and very good. They'll happily give you a game, and probably a lesson! On top of the table and net, you'll also need a ball and paddles (unless you happen to roll with a handy stash of champagne and cigars...). Paddles and balls can be bought at any Intertoys store - click "Toon meer filialen" to see more Amsterdam store locations. I've added three table tennis locations to the Eco Amsterdam google map: Saraphati Park, one close to the Albert Cuypstraat and a third in Rembrandt Park. The last location brings me to what I hope is self-evident by this point - if anybody ever names a park after me, it BETTER have table tennis tables in!
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Posted by Glen Tyler
While it was raining, the Victorians looked around for something else to amuse themselves with. And when you can't play tennis outside, hell, play it inside. And thus the birth of table tennis. Originally played with a pile of books as a net and a champagne cork or ball of string and a couple of cigar box lids, table tennis has come a long way. Not only is it now an Olympic sport, it is played widely throughout Amsterdam. You can of course play it in a sports hall (or even with a whole lot of other people in Overtoom 301 on Tuesday evenings from 9pm onwards - recommended!), but I think the best way to play it is in a park on a sunny afternoon. Preferably with a sneaky beer in hand.
The two European cities I have lived in - Berlin and Amsterdam - both have many of these concrete outdoor tables. I think the best ones in Amsterdam are in Saraphati Park, but I would of course love to be corrected! They can get quite busy on a Saturday afternoon, as there is a hard-core of older gentlemen who play there, but they are very friendly, and very good. They'll happily give you a game, and probably a lesson! On top of the table and net, you'll also need a ball and paddles (unless you happen to roll with a handy stash of champagne and cigars...). Paddles and balls can be bought at any Intertoys store - click "Toon meer filialen" to see more Amsterdam store locations. I've added three table tennis locations to the Eco Amsterdam google map: Saraphati Park, one close to the Albert Cuypstraat and a third in Rembrandt Park. The last location brings me to what I hope is self-evident by this point - if anybody ever names a park after me, it BETTER have table tennis tables in!
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Posted by Glen Tyler
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