Impressions of Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is not the Dutch capital city, but it is undoubtedly the most important and interesting one. Important, because the country’s history and culture have to a great extent always been determined by Amsterdam; interesting, because there is no other city in the Netherlands or maybe in all of Europe which has so consistently and systematically been challenging the limits of society values. With this, I do not only refer to the fact that, apart from museums highlighting Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt van Rijn there are also (much smaller) museums on marihuana and hash and on the history of the world’s oldest profession. I for instance also think of how, in the ecological struggle against climate change and so on, bicycles have forcefully and fully taken over the city from cars and motorcycles, enhancing even more the old Dutch tradition of cycling. The downside of the latter is that Amsterdam is probably among the most perilous European cities for pedestrians, as somehow bikers of all ages seem to consider that traffic rules, red lights, pedestrian crossings and elementary rules of courtesy do not apply to them. So, if you stroll along the picturesque canals and across the tiny bridges, let the absolute and inspiring elegance of the city not carry you away too much into the distraction of awe and amazement. Enjoy this wonderful city safely as a pedestrian, or … rent a bike.
Before visiting the place of your choice:
Amsterdam's oldest canals, the 'Wallen' have been a red-lights district ever since the bridge had been built around 1270, at this spot along the Amstel River. Is there any harbour in the world that does not attract prostitution and fornication? But, admitted, here things have always been kind of different: in medieval times married men and priests were forbidden in this area, and later, with the Reformation of the late 16th century, the oldest profession of the world had to go underground. Not so now anymore! Public display of all sorts of entertainment in the sex and porn industry on the Wallen is part of Amsterdam's well-known reputation. Taking pictures of the flashy facades of shops, show halls and brothels and visiting what is probably one of the world's very few 'museums of prostitution' are the more innocent ways of strolling along these canal streets; one can also think of other, say, motivations too, right gentlemen? Sorry, not only the gentlemen should be addressed, because there is definitely no gender question involved in the other 'sector of action' in the Wallen's red lights district: the use of soft drugs has been gradually decriminalised in the Netherlands as from 1976, giving rise to the so-called 'coffee shops'. Do not enter for just a cup of coffee, though, their trade is cannabis, hash and marihuana. And, yes, the Wallen have their own 'marihuana and hash museum' too.
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