A Day in Amsterdam

This was one trip, I was going totally neutral with assumptions. Amsterdam has been most famous for its RLD, and its open attitude towards sexuality. But what could that mean ? Does it mean that you find evidence of it littered on every street and every thing you do there. Do people exhibit it openly ? Well, I was curious to know what is Amsterdam ? What are the first impressions... So here goes...



Amsterdam on a sunny day gives the same feel as that of Mumbai, the crowded streets, the hustle-bustle... city on move...Honeslty! Quite unlike other cities I have been, which seem to be starved of people.

This guy on the right, on a busy market square was trying to grab attention of people. I am not sure of the idea, but he was funny alright.. "Madam, watch out from that guy behind you... This is Amsterdam madam, anything is possible here". Well... That was an interesting start.... Slowy the crowd built up, but we had to move on.



When you see a tulip, you should think of Holland...Netherlands is famous for tulip farming. Tulips come in a variety of colours, and people seem to be very enthusiastic about it too. There was a whole bustling street (&more) devoted to flowers..



Inside a Clog ! Clog is another names for wooden shoes. We found them in all souvenier shops. Couldn't figure out what it signified. Surely, nobody wears them ?! It turns out, these were indeed the shoes that were worn by heavy duty workers during the industrial revolution time. I reckon though, these are out of fashion. Believe me they were quire hard, and can't imagine someone wearing them...



Amsterdam is surely an art connoisseur's delight. The city has numerous meuseums on Van Gough, Rembrandt, and the lot.. The statue is that of Rembrandt. Just close to the statue, a guy (not in pic) was keeping the passer bys enthralled with his reproduction of english classical. The city is celebrating 400th anniversary of Rembrandt and is littered with posters, paintings and everything related to Rembrandt...

So where does the RLD, other business lie ? It is restricted to a narrow corridor of two lanes near railway station. It is a small portion of the whole city, and certainly life is normal there.. Yes, you find women publicizing their availability through the windows of their buildings, but felt it a little low key.. a bit wierd. Maybe the real feel you get by some active participation by entering Moulin Rouge say. But no thanks. Not my cup of tea.

I think I haven't seen last of Amsterdam or Netherlands. I need to visit Madam Tussad, Rembrandt museums, Windmills, clog making factories some weekend... Lets see...