Live from Amsterdam . . . it's any ol' night really

So, I’m in the Netherlands now. (See map in side bar.) Prior to meeting up with OM for the beginning of my training, I spent two days in glorious Amsterdam. Some might be a little frightened by a young, single, Christian male traveling alone in Amsterdam (too many temptations), but I’m here to dispel some of the myth that is Amsterdam.

Amsterdam was founded by fisherman living along the Amstel River in the early 13^th Century. (Source: Wikipedia. Take it with a grain of salt.) It is thought that the fisherman dammed the Amstel before it met the IJ, the bay/lake that is considered now Amsterdam’s waterfront. This created a natural harbor which fisherman would then take advantage of. Since then, you could say, Amsterdam has continued to think outside of the box.

Yes, prostitution is legal. Yes, soft drugs such as marijuana are legal and sold openly. However, not everyone participates in these activities. Prostitution tends to be geared toward the tourists. While walking through the Red Light District, I saw more tourists than natives. The soft drugs are mostly sold in open air, private markets (which attract tourists as well) or in Coffeeshops. It’s not available in the grocery store. (I went in one and no marijuana. So, I bought a sandwich.) So, in a sense these industries are under control.

Now, this is not to say these industries should be praised or even tolerated. It still hard to fathom someone needing fulfillment and thinking their only option is selling their body or seeking out casual sexual experiences. Or someone needing relief from pain and sorrow so much that they feel their only release is a chemically (or naturally) induced high. But, it is important to remember that it’s not the actions of sex or smoking or taking drugs that are immoral, but rather the dependence on them for identity and fulfillment. People pop pills for pain relief all time knowing full well it is a temporary relief and as soon as the pain is gone, the pill is no longer needed. People have participated in appropriate sexual relationships and understand it’s a pleasurable gift from God. So, the substances are not to blame, but rather the lies that people believe that they need the substances.

With all that out of way, here’s my experience with Amsterdam.

I was able to do a lot of walking while in Amsterdam. One thing I like to praise about European cities is the ease in the ability to walk them. One thing that struck me while walking Amsterdam is its gross fulfillment of all stereotypes Dutch. It reminded me of Disneyland in that if Disneyland were to have a Dutchland added to one of their theme parks, it would look exactly like Amsterdam only cleaner. Not cleaner in the sense that there wouldn’t be prostitution or drugs (we all know Disney is not high in the morals department), but rather the streets would be swept and the canals wouldn’t be brown. I honestly didn’t think the Dutch could look that Dutch. I’m surprised there weren’t more wooden shoes walking around. (There weren’t any walking, but there were large novelty ones sitting on the sidewalks.)

Walking through the Red Light District as a single male alone was an experience. I was witness to some different tactics in trying to get me to commit to an expensive romp in the hay. (A bit distasteful, but it’s all I got.) The girls would set up behind a glass door with, that’s right, red lights and would sit on a stool in their underwear waiting for a customer to approach them. I would walk by the window and usually be looking straight ahead. The girl would catch on to this and put her high heeled shoe on the glass and tap it with the peg of the heel. This of course would draw my attention and I’d look over. She’d then suggestively move her finger in the “come over here” motion. I’d then shake my head in the “no thanks I’m not interested” manner and walk on. She’d then bang her heal again and give a more suggestive “no really, come over here” finger move. Then I’d just glance over and roll my eyes in a “you’ve got to be kidding me. Seriously?” kind of motion and the dance would be over; only to continue with the next girl. Needless to say, it was quite tiring.

So, Amsterdam is quite an interesting place to say the least. I was able to ride a bike through town a little while and yes, everyone does ride a bike. In fact, everyone rides the same bike. They all have the same shape, style of handle bars, and the same locking mechanism. For a city that embraces variety and diversity, they all have a lot of similarities in their modes of transportation.

I’d like to come back some day, spend a little more time visiting the museums, actually seeing the sights with friends rather than by myself, eating dinner with friends instead of by myself. Basically, I’d like to come back when I’m not by myself.