Amsterdam is a compact city and easy to navigate as a pedestrian, but watch out for the bikes and bollards. It helps (some locals believe) to walk in the 'right' direction (ie. as you drive or cycle on the right hand side of the road, walk on the right hand pavement) and absolutely no wandering into the fietspad (bicycle lane), otherwise you may encounter 'whispering death' (as bikes are sometimes known in Holland). At all times watch your step – this is dog poop city. The instruction 'Hond in de gutter' (sometimes accompanied by a drawing of a dog doing its business) is often ignored by dog and owner.