Gezellig in Rotterdam

I recently went to a restaurant in Ottawa named Gezellig (gah-zell-ig). The restaurant characterizes gezellig as “convivial, cosy, or nice atmosphere, but also belonging, general togetherness, or time spent with loved ones…” It has many similarities to Hygge, a Danish concept I admire.

I was not familiar with this Dutch adjective when I was backpacking. In hindsight, it’s the perfect word to describe the common room at our hostel in Rotterdam. It was gezellig.

In my journal, I provided a detailed description of the common room where I spent many hours hanging out with fellow backpackers and watching MTV. It had a TV, three couches, a coffee table and another table and chairs to play cards or have a drink. The room was nice, simple, and homey. It felt like I was visiting a friend’s house.

All three days in Rotterdam were dreary and rainy, which I think heightened the gezellig feeling when we retreated to the hostel at the end of each day.

The first day we roamed the city in rain, stopping at the Old Harbour to try to warm up with a cappuccino. On the second drab day we visited the flower displays at the Floriade, an international garden exhibit held every 10 years.

On the third day, Delft was a highlight. There was still a drizzle, but the small city was charming with its canals, lily pads and flower markets. Apparently my cappuccino addiction was awakened in Holland as I enjoyed yet another caffeinated treat on a boat on a cute canal overlooking the lily pads.

Never did I write so much about a hostel common room as I did in Rotterdam. It was a comfortable and convivial place to socialize with other travellers. A inviting retreat at the end of day. Truly gezellig.

This is one entry from my 1992 European backpacking trip with my friend Sarah. If you want to start at the beginning, please check out The journey starts in Nice.