Same with tradeshows: I have many times been on tradeshows on buildup days. It is a huge mess, full of crates and packaging. Next day, everything is glorious and neat. Just for 3-4 days of 'show'
Also similar: Join a local Toastmasters group. This is a global organization where you learn and practice to speak in front of a group, both prepared speeches and spontaneous. It may find weird to join it, but I would advice to visit one once in your neighborhood: They are all super friendly and I have seen dozens of people come in and move from shy and awkward to great storytellers in just a year or so.
I live in The Netherlands (actually in the same city as the photo's were taken): There is a very large difference in traffic density and complexity between the larger cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and the rest of the country (including middle sized cities).
When I visit one of those larger cities, I am also constantly looking for bikes everywhere not to be crashing into me.