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It’s a funny old place, Amsterdam. While this may not be the most profound sociological statement with which to open this entry, it is rather apt. The Dutch attitude to pursuits which other nations might regard as extracurricular is well known. Whether or not one chooses to engage in such activities, this tolerance and bloody minded commitment to liberalism (even under pressure from the European Union) is certainly commendable. It’s not until you find yourself walking through the red light district on a Monday morning, side by side with young families and questionable French teenagers that you realize what a strange place it is. Achingly pretty canal boats to one side, rows of scantily clad women to the other; it’s certainly a surreal experience. I suppose that’s partly what traveling is all about though, getting out of your comfort zone, and experiencing the eccentricities of other cultures.

Sin City

James Taylor
2006-08-23 15:55:04

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It’s a funny old place, Amsterdam. While this may not be the most profound sociological statement with which to open this entry, it is rather apt. The Dutch attitude to pursuits which other nations might regard as extracurricular is well known. Whether or not one chooses to engage in such activities, this tolerance and bloody minded commitment to liberalism (even under pressure from the European Union) is certainly commendable. It’s not until you find yourself walking through the red light district on a Monday morning, side by side with young families and questionable French teenagers that you realize what a strange place it is. Achingly pretty canal boats to one side, rows of scantily clad women to the other; it’s certainly a surreal experience. I suppose that’s partly what traveling is all about though, getting out of your comfort zone, and experiencing the eccentricities of other cultures.

While I’m much too British too partake in the ‘services’ available, wandering around the red light district was fun, in the main because it’s such a unique place.. Our hostel was situated right on the edge of the RLD; so frequent trips through it were inevitable. After a few days it loses some at night, looking towards the Red Light Districtof its novelty value and at some point a little light goes on and you realize that you could, if you wanted, walk up to one of the many red lit windows, arrange a price and to put it discreetly, go behind the curtain, and no one would bat an eyelid. That realization, when it comes, is an uneasy one. While I’d like to think that I wouldn’t want to make such a purchase, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly tempted (and contrary to popular belief I’d say about 20% of the prostitutes were extremely attractive). This is why strolling through the RLD is, I suppose, slightly exciting. If I lived in Amsterdam I couldn’t be certain that I wouldn’t indulge, simply because It’s an activity that is legally ...