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Dutch Facebook: Bos en Lommer rules

Shirley Brandeis

21 July 2008 - While some other media portray this district as a disadvantaged neighbourhood (or euphemistically as a 'power neighbourhood'), social network site Hyves - the Dutch version of Facebook - makes up for a lot. Apparently, Bos en Lommer has its own Hyves group.

Suspiciously, I clicked the mouse, expecting negative responses. But no, at Hyves, there are hundreds of Bos en Lommer fans and for them its clear: 'This is the best neighbourhood of Amsterdam'.

Saskia thinks Bos en Lommer is 'absolutely great'. "I've been the proud owner of my first hut in Bos&Lommer since 2 April", she writes at Hyves, where hundreds of people express their love of the neighbourhood by being a member and sometimes in a so-called krabbel, as they call a message at Hyves.

And even though people from across the border sometimes show up, claiming that another district 'rules', Saskia says that its much friendlier and more enjoyable here than in De Baarsjes. "I instantly felt at home here!" she concludes her little argument. And one KimM!.. writes: "I wouldn't mind returning to Bos en Lommer. I live in Westerpark now and I think it's less enjoyable here".

The adoration of the neighbourhood can go quite far. DEES writes: "I've lived there for five years and I'd return anytime. I left with pain in my heart". And Eric writes: "Some two years ago, I left the Leidsekade and moved to Bos en Lommer. It turned out that my initial reservation was unjustified. This neighbourhood has developed very fast into an Amsterdam Quartier Latin".

And more people want to move to that Quartier Latin, as testified by the cry for help from Sannie, who lives in the Hague. Sannie is 'furiously looking for a place to live', she writes. Preferably in Bos en Lommer, for that the 'most fun neighbourhood!' What's so great about it can be read in a group discussion entitled 'What is your most fun place in Bos en Lommer'. The answers encompass the entire district. From 'my balcony' to the Erasmus Park; from the Gibraltarstraat paddling pool to the Bos en Lommerplein, the Rijpgracht and the Sloterdijk church.

At the Bos en Lommer Hyves group, there is not only room to 'krabbel' your praise of the district. If you are looking for a window-cleaner, you can find one here. If you want to share a beautiful photo of the neighbourhood, you can post it (be sure to check the Haarlemmerweg dawn) and there is also a busy poll about organising a drink for Hyves members. Over seventy percent of the 75 voters would like to meet up. A date has not been set yet. Apparently, it can be difficult to plan a drink for 417 people.

This article by Shirley Brandeis originally appeared on Amsterdam Centraal. Image: Erasmus Park (Photo Andrevanb / Flickr)

 

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