Red lights and smartshops and social awareness

You've heard about Amsterdam.. it's every college kid's party destination and probably every worried parent's nightmare (am I right?). What we found was a laid-back place with a lot of justified history for being free with sex and drugs, that somehow felt safe and caring. It sounds kind of evil saying it that way, and it sounds paradoxical - but it's not.

Let's start with the family-oriented stuff. We saw the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House while there, and checked out some outdoor markets - the flower-filled Bloemenmarket and a book market that happens every Friday. We walked almost everywhere when in town (that is, not at the burbs at our 2nd hostel, stayok Zeeburgerdijk), which was cute - cobblestone walkways and bridges over picturesque canals and windy streets lined with narrow canal houses that had the look of too many books jammed into your shelf. Food was great - we checked out an Indonesian Rijsttafel, which was basically a smattering of all kinds of things to be put on your rice and tried. Good curry. Also, we had some yummy Thai food.. no traditional dutch, except the waffles! Good lord, do they love their waffles. I maintain that my breakfast of chocolate-coated waffles with butter-thick whipped cream and sliced fruit was damned nutritious.

Now for the sinful stuff.

Also, Amsterdam has a pretty cool bicycle culture. We heard that was the way to go and unfortunately didn't get to try -- though we saw places to rent all over the place, and many people on them.

Now for the sinful stuff. The red light district was surprisingly literal - sixteen year old girls in green bikinis looked lustily out of windows lit by actual red lights. Or women sat on beds next to other women, looking like relatives or mother and daughter. It was kind of surreal, though the neighborhoods *werent* rundown, lots of tourists were walking around, and plenty of cafes were nearby. It's just how they do things there. As to the drugs, avail yourself to the following quotes and then I will say little more:

"No, it's too late. Time for the tram to go to bed"

"Sometimes when I take hats... I keep them."

"Your cookie is more direct."

Coffee shops with weed for sale OTC are what they are - abundant. But they're relaxed, staff is friendly and knowledgeble, and they provide a safe atmosphere for people to do what's freely available. They also discourage hard drug use! That's something *I* didn't know, and I'll bet maybe you didn't either.