I've always wondered why it is that the Netherlands produces avant architects the way the state of Florida produces blue chip college football prospects. What is it about Rem Koolhaas and his ilk that they're able to think rings around Americans when it comes to architecture. Then I land in Amsterdam and it all becomes clear. Their visual vocabulary is much, much cooler.

Take the building pictured above. It's not famous. It wasn't designed by a starchitect. It just happens to overlook the tram station next to my hotel. In fact, it's an elementary school, which means Dutch children are probably learning more about architecture through osmosis than some programs back in the U.S..

Read more of Greg Lindsay's travel blog, IN TRANSIT.