I felt welcome the moment Heleen opened the door to her lovely home. She showed me to my beautiful little room with its own private bathroom and private entrance. She then helped orient me to the area, explaining the streetcar routes and other features of Amsterdam in detail. The room was exactly as described, and immaculately clean. Heleen thoughtfully provided a coffee maker with coffee pods, tea-making supplies, as well as maps and local guide books.
The neighborhood is quiet, but streetcar access to make the 8-10 minute ride into the city center was very convenient. When I regretfully left, I felt that I had made a new friend in the Netherlands. What a wonderful experience!