Nasty Habits: My foray in the Amsterdam Red Light District
Written: Mar 13 '00 (Updated Mar 13 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Unbelievably Fascinating
Cons: Unbelievably Depraved
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| netKat's Full Review: Red-Light District |
I will confess that when it comes to matters of base sexuality, I am sincerely and endlessly fascinated. I could blame my husband for luring me into this sick little world, but actually I was waiting for someone like him to be a partner and protector in my explorations. Consequently, I have been to peep shows, male and female strip shows, adult book and toy stores, and porno palaces from New York to Las Vegas and outside the country. I have seen some things here in the States that I thought were so disgusting that I have walked out, but nothing, and I mean nothing, can compare to the Amsterdam Red Light District. There you can really learn the meaning of the word obscene.
Having traveled to many different international cities, I can tell you that every hamlet has it's own little "red light" district. My husband can scope them out like a hound dog. In most towns and cities it's a hidden out of the way shameful seedy area. The difference in Amsterdam is that it is an actual canal side tourist attraction singled out by hundreds of red lights and tourists. You can't miss it. And there is no shame.
At first you'll know you've arrived in this Mecca of depravity by all the red lights. And then you start to notice nearly and sometimes fully nude women strolling the street and standing in doorways juxtaposed with grandmotherly types trying to stay close to their tour guides. Lines of foreign tourists snake through the winding streets and alleys, mouths gaping and eyes wide with disbelief in the dim red atmosphere, entranced by their surrealistic voyage into the heretofore unknown. Every once in a while you'll see a happily disheveled satiated man emerge from one of the doorways and be enveloped by the swarming mass of people in the Mardi Gras atmosphere of the street. Turn around and see a woman and man negotiating a tryst. Look up at the red light framed windows in the row houses and see what beckons you to enter.
No question you'll get a contact high as you pass by the coffeehouses and see one of the corner adult stores with the huge open entranceways, the wares in plain view of anyone who happens to pass by. I will not even go into detail of the type of items available here, truly, I have never seen anything remotely like it. The comprehensiveness and scope of the available items was incredible. Images are burned into my mind that I would prefer not be there. What a strange species we humans are.
In order to fully understand the phenomenon of the reddest red light district, you must understand some of the Dutch theories on sexuality and pornography. We traveled to Holland on multiple occasions for business and were able to form good relationships will several local couples who were working on the same project as my husband. We stayed in the small suburban towns of Dordrecht and Breda. While my husband worked all day I had an opportunity to explore the small towns. I was rather shocked to see mom and pop pornography stores on the main streets adjacent to normal businesses, such as laundromats and bakeries. The stores are not discreet either. There was plenty to see in the windows from giant phalluses to hard core magazine cover shots, and in these settings of mostly women and children strolling down the busy shopping boulevards, it was rather embarrassing and offensive to me. Me, can you imagine?
Later that week we were invited to a small dinner and get together for a few of the Dutch couples who had a spouse involved in the project. I discreetly brought up the subject, asking the women with earnest concern, how do you feel when you walk by that porno store window with your children in tow? The men chimed into this conversation as well, and what I learned was a different way of looking at things. The attitude was one of, well, we would prefer not to see it, but we really don't believe there should be anything wrong with it, so we must try to be ok with it. Since we must accept sexuality, we must accept this aspect of it. Interesting. It was acceptance of anything because acceptance itself is the socially admired trait.
While I came to understand their view, I'm not sure I could accept it. I suppose that over time, you don't notice it anymore... but I also suppose, over time, impressionable young men and women could form a truly warped view of what a mutually satisfying and respectful sexual relationship should be. And to that point, my Dutch friends would counter that it is their responsibility as parents to educate their children and make them understand the difference. Perhaps they are more open about things, but, who am I to judge? I can only speak for myself.
If you have any kind of an interest in the more prurient aspects of international exploration, I would whole-heartedly recommend checking out the Red Light District in Amsterdam. The setting is beautiful, and the sights are unique, depraved, and fascinating. If you are at all offended by wanton displays of a sexual nature, both live and in print, then by all means stay clear at all cost. And whatever you do, don't bring the kids.
Recommended:
Yes
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netKat
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Member: Kat
Location: Maryland
Reviews written: 166
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About Me:
Analytically inclined mom, bank officer, freelance writer, and internet addict.
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