Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands, its financial center, and is its largest city, with approximately 1,000,000 residents. (It is not the seat of government, which is the Hague) I can't say this with any authority, but I would dare to say, and will, that Amsterdam is the Netherlands' most interesting city as well. Low-lying Amsterdam has roots reaching back to the 12th century (and more canals than Venice!), and has a glorious history as a center for wealthy traders. World wars never really affected it, so Amsterdam has largely been free to do its own thing - making money - while developing a well-earned reputation as a haven for "progressivism", defined here as tolerance and acceptance of non-conformists and their ideas/activities. Amsterdam is a fascinating blend of old Europe and what is becoming the new world.
I will freely admit I wanted to come to Amsterdam for 2 reasons, and they were NOT the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House (though both excellent places to visit)! I wanted to see pot-smokers and prostitutes in public! Simply, I wanted to experience a very different cultural vibe. I did visit a coffeshop (that is one word, in English, NOT to be confused with 'coffehouse' or 'cafe', which are they say they are). I also did tour the Red Light District.
Some notes: Marijuana is technically illegal, but this is largely to comply with international treaties. It is (increasingly) tightly regulated. I went to two of them on my walking tour: Dampkring and Grey Area. The former is where a scene in Ocean's 12 was filmed, and the latter is a favorite of Woody Harrelson, Snoop Lion and other weed-loving celebs. Both establishments are former multiple-time winners of the Cannabis Cup. Yes, there is such a thing.
Some fun stuff:
The former palace (above) was where Louis Bonaparte resided for a time after his big bro Nappy made him king. Luigi (his given name) tried be a good guy and learn Dutch. Unfortunately, when he stepped out onto the palace's balcony to announce himself as king, he instead said 'rabbit". Easy mistake to make, but he was tagged thereafter as the Rabbit King.
The XXX on the city flag and coat of arms does NOT refer to the city's adult industry! It goes back 500 years, probably referring to Saint Andrew's cross(es). This building housed a woman's prison. Instead of cutting off body parts someone figured maybe there was another way to rehabilitate criminals. The sculpture is amusing because it shows what happens if you're bad (the beating on the right) and if you're good (weaving, while petting an animal). The men's equivalent had a basement which flooded, and you had to work at bailing water to keep yourself afloat. If you were particularly unmotivated, you died.
I will freely admit I wanted to come to Amsterdam for 2 reasons, and they were NOT the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House (though both excellent places to visit)! I wanted to see pot-smokers and prostitutes in public! Simply, I wanted to experience a very different cultural vibe. I did visit a coffeshop (that is one word, in English, NOT to be confused with 'coffehouse' or 'cafe', which are they say they are). I also did tour the Red Light District.
Some notes: Marijuana is technically illegal, but this is largely to comply with international treaties. It is (increasingly) tightly regulated. I went to two of them on my walking tour: Dampkring and Grey Area. The former is where a scene in Ocean's 12 was filmed, and the latter is a favorite of Woody Harrelson, Snoop Lion and other weed-loving celebs. Both establishments are former multiple-time winners of the Cannabis Cup. Yes, there is such a thing.
Some fun stuff:
The former palace (above) was where Louis Bonaparte resided for a time after his big bro Nappy made him king. Luigi (his given name) tried be a good guy and learn Dutch. Unfortunately, when he stepped out onto the palace's balcony to announce himself as king, he instead said 'rabbit". Easy mistake to make, but he was tagged thereafter as the Rabbit King.
The XXX on the city flag and coat of arms does NOT refer to the city's adult industry! It goes back 500 years, probably referring to Saint Andrew's cross(es). This building housed a woman's prison. Instead of cutting off body parts someone figured maybe there was another way to rehabilitate criminals. The sculpture is amusing because it shows what happens if you're bad (the beating on the right) and if you're good (weaving, while petting an animal). The men's equivalent had a basement which flooded, and you had to work at bailing water to keep yourself afloat. If you were particularly unmotivated, you died.
A deflector, to deter men from peeing in corners
To wrap things up, Amsterdam is a pretty cool city; I wouldn't mind going back sometime. To answer the inevitable questions: no, I did not smoke dope, and, no, I did not patronize a brothel. Though, a young German woman did grab my, um, you know, while on the streets of Berlin, but that is another story...
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