The Smut and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Things to Do Tips

OK. Might as well get the "smut" out of the way. Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam. There is this little-known place called "The Red Light District." My recommendation is to see this with someone you love. It's kind of nice to go "window shopping" or "comparison shopping," depending on your gender, I suppose. There are lots of little alleys that you can hurry through (or not, if you have leg, foot, or other medical problems; just go as quick as you are able).

To get to the Red Light District, all you have to do is to wander around Amsterdam until you see a large number of "large" young men (height, weight, and depth). They are there to tell you politely that it is not wise to take pictures of the area or of the female subjects. If you insist, they will strenuously insist right back. There are a goodly number of cameras at the bottom of the canals. They got there with their owners who hopefully could swim. Camera flashes at night draw a very "large" crowd very quickly. If you and your camera don't want a bath, DON'T TAKE PICTURES!

The last picture I took along one of the canals in the Red Light District. If you look closely, you can see red fluorescent lights in some of the windows. That signifies "Open for Business." Notice that this is a regular residential area. The apartments, for the most part, have nothing to do with the business.

Leave a Comment

Address: Red Light District
Directions: Red Light District
Other Contact: are you kidding?

Amsterdam is a walking city. If you are physically capable of walking, there is little that you will be unable to see in Amsterdam. It is a city of 200 canals and 1200 bridges. Most of the city is below sea level (don't ask me how, it is very complicated and I think that God is involved in some way). Anyway, the city is very flat; no hills to worry about. It is a very peaceful existence living along one of the canals. The views from the front of the houses and apartments are wonderful in any kind of weather. The canals are mostly tree-lined and very serene. I could live there.

Leave a Comment

Address: Along the streets of the residential canals
Directions: everywhere

Amsterdam is a haven for houseboats. When houseboat living came into being, it was to avoid taxes. It is still cheaper to live on a houseboat, but the taxes are pretty steep. The boats come in all sizes and shapes. They were mostly commercial boats at one time and when they had outlived their commercial usefulness, they were sold and converted to houseboats. There are houseboat rentals available for visitors who want to experience houseboat living.

The houseboat owners frequently have gardens on the roof and lounge areas both fore and aft. The cabins are like small apartments complete with small kitchens, toilets, and showers. Waste water is in holding tanks and pumped out to a sanitation truck periodically. Those who live on houseboats love it. It certainly looks like it could be a very tranquil lifestyle.

Leave a Comment

Address: canals
Directions: The entire city, for the most part.
Other Contact: follow the canal

One of the great walking cities of the world, everywhere you look is a new scene that is just as interesting as the last. The old town section of Amsterdam is quite large and takes a couple of days to just walk and see all of these different scenes. During the week, Amsterdam is a busy city. Everyone walks fast, drives fast, bicycles fast. Everything is purposeful. In the evening, everything slows down (except for the young people). The apartments, homes, and houseboats light up (well, that too), the restaurants and pubs fill with tourists and locals. The city relaxes. The beauty of dusk with both daylight and artificial light brings about scenes of tranquility everywhere. Windows are open wide, with people sharing glasses of wine and beer. Couples and small groups gather on the rooftop gardens of the houseboats along the canals. Parks fill with walkers, joggers, bikers, senior couples, young lovers. Sidewalk cafes and pubs ring with shared laughter and there is a peace that settles in before bed and the next days return to work. Unlike many cities, one does not have to look far serenity in this marvelous city.

Photo 1 One of the countless small parks located all over the city.

Photo 2 Oude Kerk (Old Church). Notice the hook at the top of the building opposite.

Photo 3 Moving day. The hook is used to get the furniture in/out of the apartment.

Photo 4. Traffic Jam on the canals. Sometimes these are funny. Not usually though.

Photo 5 Low bridge. One of the best parts of the boat trip is the skill of the driver.

Leave a Comment

Address: Amsterdam
Directions: The old city of Amsterdam
Website: www.amsterdam.nl

I am not trying to show you everything there is to see in Amsterdam. There is just so much to see. The "old city" of Amsterdam is called the "Central City" or "The Golden Age" section. It is a fairly large section and very walkable. The tram and metro systems are very good and the operators are quite helpful.

Amsterdam is an expensive city by my standards (which run from inexpensive to downright cheap). A good dinner at one of the better restaurants will cost about one third more than what I am used to in the mid-western USA. A dorm bed in a hostel is about $30 per night. I don't know about hotel prices other than the inexpensive hotels are about $80 for a double room. Most of the hotels include breakfast.

Amsterdam is a city of museums. Every one that I have visited is worth the price of admission (especially if you use the "Amsterdam Pass" that has free admission or discounts). The "Amsterdam Pass" is valid for 1, 2, or 3 days. The price is 26, 36, or 46 Euro's respectively. Unfortunately, the Rijksmuseum is being remodeled at this time. The last I heard, it was scheduled to reopen in mid-2008. During that period, many of the great works are temporarily housed at other museums in the city. Otherwise, it would be very easy to fill up a full week of just visiting museums and attractions. I do wish that I had taken more still pictures in the museums. I didn't know about VT at the time so mostly I took videos. Anyway...

Photo 1 A quiet residential canal.

Photo 2 This is a replica of an East India transport ship that was sunk off the coast of England.

Photo 3 At just the right angle, you can see 7 bridges along this canal.

Photo 4 This houseboat may serve 2 purposes, 1 still commercial. I never found out.

Photo 5 The Hard Rock Cafe. I was just walking to the bakery at 7:00AM and found customers waiting.

Leave a Comment

Address: Central City
Directions: Central City
Website: www.amsterdam.nl