Fernando Yamasaki (my jiu jitsu teacher) said that when you are in Amsterdam you have a complete sense of freedom. I didn’t fully understand what he meant until last night. I’m not sure there is a place on earth where you are as completely on your own as you are here to do whatever you want without fear of embarrassment or penalty.
There are so many others here looking for the same thing, knowing that the friends they make will probably only last for a few minutes, hours, or maybe a couple days at the most. I think its that common connection and sense of adventure of so many of the travelers here that allows us to form a bond so quickly. Yesterday I started hanging out with was named Becca at the coffee ship because we were the only two people here. She was from Florida and we became fast friends. As we went around to different places, we invited more people to join us in whatever we were doing, and it everyone was super chill. After hanging out for just a few hours, I felt this overwhelming feeling to protect her as if she was my sister, especially when we were in the red light district, and to make sure she got home safely to her hostel.
I wanted to take some pictures of the girls in the red light district in the windows for the everyone who wanted to see what that looks like, but you can’t do it. Well, you can, but I was told that the penalty for taking pictures is that the girls come out, smash your camera to pieces, and then dump a cup of piss on your head. I can deal with the pee on the dome, but don’t want to loose the camera for the rest of the trip. Some of the girls in the windows, many of them actually, are just stunning and could easily be on the cover of Maxim. For people who are interested in that, I’d suggest spending a few extra dollars and coming to Amsterdam rather than blowing your money in the states. You can sleep with a dream girl for 50 euros for 50 minutes (can't imagine most guys need more than 2 minutes with some of the girls), and maybe you can negotiate that even lower. That's like the cost of admission, a cocktail, and a 4 minute lapdance at a strip club back home. I can’t imagine anyone who ever comes to Amsterdam wants to take a trip to Vegas ever again.
Today my body is pissed at me for pushing it really hard last night, but my mind is thanking me for the experience.
Oh yea, forgot to mention that i went to the "sex museum" yesterday when i got here. Figured i'd at least go to one museum since everyone is so caught up in telling you great they all are and why they are worth 20 euro. The sex museum was only 4 euro, it was alright. I'd much rather go hang out with people and walk around outside than look in the museums to be honest.
Time to get out of the coffee shop and out into the beautiful weather we got today after a cloudy day yesterday.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
6 comments:
so happy your having fun and find people to hang explore with... keep putting pictures up.. and be careful,please don't get drugged and put to work in some prostitution ring that's run out of a place that look like Russia House lol
TED<3
we are going to have so many great adventures Boo. And thats a promise!!!
Wow...what can I say about your exploits til now. Sounds like you are having a rip-roaring good time, especially in the districts with colored lights!
Kepp on trunkin' baby. You are on a great ride.
Love ya.
Ben-
It's now been a few weeks since this this post, and you are now back home. I hate to be someone who puts a 'damper' on any mind-opening experiences, but your visit to the red light district, and your comments on it, have drawn me to write.
Years ago I made a trip much like yours, and Amsterdam was my first stop. At first my thoughts largely mirrored yours- the Heineken brewery, the amazing Van Gogh museum, the hash shops and such 'open' people, of all colors. But did you walk along the main streets late at night?
Did you see the dirty and homeless? I did. And I walked away feeling very sad for the young girls in those red-lined windows... Did you talk to any? I remember talking to a girl who was 15 and was told to tell people she was even younger than that, because 'men like them young.'
She told me that most girls would tell you nice things about it because in their mindset they are still trying to get you to make a deal and give them money. There is no benefit to telling a stranger how sad it is to have so many strange men and people paying you a few euros to have their way with you sexually.
I do not mean to be a downer, but the reality is that no young girl would choose that life for her own, and despite all the happy thoughts that I see sprinkling your blog I just have to write this because I care for you Ben. And because no woman would truly choose to be a prostitute (think about what it does to your personal enjoyment of sex with your true partner, as well as what it does to your inner heart and soul!) ... because of women not choosing it, there is a fine line between prositution and rape.
If Amsterdam were the city of love, then we would care for those women in the windows-- those are our soul-sisters!-- and we would love them like the sisters they are... and maybe find out what their real dreams in life are...
For now, they stand in those windows-- used, but neglected... and as you say, for just "a few extra dollars"... God bless you Ben
Post a Comment