Remember Cycle 11 of America's Next Top Model where the girls headed to Amsterdam's Red Light District? I could only find 1 video clip from that episode in Youtube.
I just want to say that I WAS THERE!!!! I stopped and stared at the windows for a good 2 minutes. And I just realized I forgot to take a picture. Nemind, it's just a window. Sex business is closed during the day so it's okay to take pictures.
My trip to the Red Light District in Amsterdam was an eye opening experience. James and I have been to the red light district in Tokyo but it was nothing like Amsterdam's. Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam (particularly the Red Light District) so you can see a lot of sex shops, brothels, sex museums and gay bars in the area. Because it is legal, licensed prostitutes have to pay taxes like everyone else. This area of Amsterdam is a major tourist attraction. Tourist like me just wants to sight see. By sightseeing, I mean see only, no action :p Of course, there are visitors who were there for some loving actions too but that's none of my business. I was told standard rate is EUR50 for 20 minutes. Clearly, I'm in the wrong profession hahahaha! Just kidding :p
You will see prostitutes in glow-in-the-dark bikinis displaying themselves in narrow windows below fluorescent red lights in the evenings. If the curtain is closed means "Yay! Got business." You can actually bargain with the prostitutes to get a good price for yourself. But come on, they have to work for a living too.
Photo taken from http://travel.smart-guide.net
Photo taken from http://travel.smart-guide.netThey come in all shapes, sizes and colors. From old and disgusting to beauty queen beautiful, one will be spoilt with choices. For beautiful ones, I suggest going to the smaller alleys. James and I spent about 45 minutes in Red Light District, walking up and down the streets and going into every single small alley to check it out. So I have seen them all already :) I playfully asked James, "Which alley do I belong?" He cleverly answered, "The smallest one!" Haha :D
We could smell marijuana every time we walked past any coffee shop or drinking bar. I guess some tourists were having the time of their life getting high and happy. If you're planning to visit Amsterdam, the Red Light District is a MUST go. The unique experience is not something you can read from books or Internet but you have to be there to feel it.
There are signs everywhere saying photo taking is prohibited in the area. So please abide by the rule. James read somewhere before that there were cases of people being splashed with urine when they tried to take photos of windows hosting girls. Don't know true or not. Also, don't buy drugs as souvenirs from the dealers. It would be illegal if you try to bring it out of Amsterdam. You can always pop into coffee shops where marijuana or magic mushroom is served on their menu for "high & happy" meals. Just look out for that marijuana leaf sign outside the shops.
E.g. coffee cum marijuana shop.
