Monday, August 11, 2008

Hard to look past it...

Up at the crack of dawn and we were cycling off on our hired bikes. Amsterdam is amazing for cycling, as anyone who has been here will know, more bicycle lanes than car lanes and access all areas! Its so flat as well, cycling was a pleasure. We loved it.So we parked our lovely old bikes near Haarlem and strolled around the city. It is very lovely, tall houses on tree lined streets, canals running every which way and wonderful house boats.
I was enamoured with Amsterdam, couldn't breathe it all in fast enough, it is just so pretty.

That is until you take a wrong turn and end up seeing Amsterdams main attraction. I have to say I've thought long and hard about this and the red light district is something the dutch should be ashamed off. In my naivete, before I came, I thought that the legality of prostitution and drugs here would mean that they were encorporated into normal life. I thought that you would just come across a dark burlesque window of sorts, where beautiful women (from what I'd been told) were coquettishly tempting passers by... I thought that the coffee shops would be what they said on the tin, but also on the menu, if you were into that sort of thing, would be some cigarettes of the gigglyweed variety...
Instead we found ourselves in a hell hole. Cheap tacky coffee shops decorated with drug paraphenalia... Low garish pvc doors lined the alleys, with unhealthy unhappy girls, wearing their underwear, ludely and rawkishly challenging passing men to come in. Porn shops and sex shops showed their wares by confronting you with the worst of it as loudly and brightly as possible (Marys eyes were strictly on her shoes for all of this!) and stag party after stag party lingered, egging each other on to "have a go, mate"...

I have never been anything but completely against the exploitation of women, in any sense, yet I had always thought prostitution being illegal was silly. I thought Holland had it right, decriminalise it, take it above the ground, and make it safe for people to do.
But it doesn't work - it becomes more seedy than it was. Putting a girl for sale in a window makes her nothing but a thing, no matter who does the putting, a pimp or her own volition. Prostitution is the oldest profession, or so they say, it should have a bit more respect than the Netherlands affords it.


At first I thought Amsterdam was lovely, a pretty little place with intelligence and class... then I realised she has her cheap knickers round her ankles, offering her heart and her soul to tourists for a dollar...

22 comments:

Ciara Brehony said...

You should have gone to Haarlem!

Really though, I do agree with you about the red light district, and yes, more respect for something that's never going to go away. But I hope it hasn't spoiled your Amsterdam experience altogether. That would be such a shame.

AMI said...

we spent loads of time in Haarlem - lovely! talk more when i'm home!

Anonymous said...

Wanna Get HIGH? Running out of Supply? Then Check Out My Shit!
>>>>> http://bestlegalhighsdrugs.info <<<<
If you have questions, you can email my boy at online.mentor [at] gmail.com


[size=1] IGNORE THIS----------------------------
ssalvia ivinorum magic shrooms [url=http://bestlegalhighsdrugs.info] legal herbs [/url] ayauhasca ru 21 pills [url=http://buybudshoplegalherbs.info] smoking legal herbs[/url] crystal meth addiction recovery leagl byds [url=HTTP://BUYINGMARIJUANASALE.INFO] Marijuana Sale [/url] shirley's realty maryville mo old hashish [url=HTTP://BUYLEGALBUDSCOMREVIEWS.INFO] legal buds [/url] meth test kit ecstasy pictures [url=HTTP://CANNABISHIGH-PILLSHIGH.INFO] Marijuana Effects[/url] legal highs hallucinogens methadone drug test [url=HTTP://HOWTOBUYWEED-BUYINGWEED.INFO] how to buy cannabis[/url] amanita fungi efstasy pilsl [url=http://legalbud.drugreviews.info] legal bud [/url]

ecstas pillls saliva divinnorum [url=http://legalweed.lamodalatina.com] legal weeds [/url] aalvia ddivinorum bjfo alvarijs [url=http://buysalvia.lamodalatina.com] buy salvia[/url] Legal Bud Shops nazi meth

lsd ecstasy online drug test [url=http://legalweed.lamodalatina.com] legal weeds [/url] manita kuscaria steps on broadway [url=http://buysalviacheap.com] get salvia extracts[/url] amanits mjscaria ufo aalvarius
[url=http://guaranteedheightincrease.info/]height increase[/url] - http://guaranteedheightincrease.info/
height enhancement - http://guaranteedheightincrease.info
[url=http://provenpenisenlargement.info/]proven penis enlargement[/url] - http://provenpenisenlargement.info/
proven penis enlargement - http://provenpenisenlargement.info/
[url=http://provenskincareadvice.info/]skin care tips[/url] - http://provenskincareadvice.info/
skin care advice - http://provenskincareadvice.info/
[url=http://getrichgambling.info/]get riches gambling[/url] - http://getrichgambling.info/
get money gambling - http://getrichgambling.info/
[url=http://herpesoutbreak-gentalwarts.info/]herpes outbreaks[/url] - http://herpesoutbreak-gentalwarts.info/
herpes outbreak - http://herpesoutbreak-gentalwarts.info/
[url=http://STOP-PREMATURE-EJACULATION-SOLUTIONS.INFO]cure premature ejaculation[/url] - http://STOP-PREMATURE-EJACULATION-SOLUTIONS.INFO
cure premature ejaculation - http://STOP-PREMATURE-EJACULATION-SOLUTIONS.INFO
[url=http://3GMOBILEPHONESFORSALE.INFO]used mobile phone for sale[/url] - http://3GMOBILEPHONESFORSALE.INFO
used mobile cell phone for sale - http://3GMOBILEPHONESFORSALE.INFO
[url=http://internationaloddities.reviewsdiscountsonline.com] international oddities[/url]
internationaloddities scam
[url=http://drobuds.reviewsdiscountsonline.com]dro buds reviews [/url]
buy dro bud
[url=http://bestacnetreatmentreviews.info] acne treatment reviews[/url] http://bestacnetreatmentreviews.info
acne treatment reviews http://bestacnetreatmentreviews.info
[url=HTTP://LEARN-HYPNOSIS-ONLINE.INFO]learn hypnosis online[/url]
learn hypnotism online

Anonymous said...

I am able to make link exchange with HIGH pr pages on related keywords like [url=http://www.usainstantpayday.com]bad credit loans[/url] and other financial keywords.
My web page is www.usainstantpayday.com

If your page is important contact me.
please only good pages, wih PR>2 and related to financial keywords
Thanks
JonKnorecoige

compare viagra, cialis, levitra said...

Hello friend amazing and very interesting blog about Hard to look past it...

Anonymous said...

if you guys constraint to corrupt [url=http://www.generic4you.com]viagra[/url] online you can do it at www.generic4you.com, the most trusted viagra drugstore repayment in stick up for of generic drugs.
you can whack into uncover drugs like [url=http://www.generic4you.com/Sildenafil_Citrate_Viagra-p2.html]viagra[/url], [url=http://www.generic4you.com/Tadalafil-p1.html]cialis[/url], [url=http://www.generic4you.com/VardenafilLevitra-p3.html]levitra[/url] and more at www.rxpillsmd.net, the rudimentary [url=http://www.rxpillsmd.net]viagra[/url] outset on the web. well another great [url=http://www.i-buy-viagra.com]viagra[/url] pharmacy you can find at www.i-buy-viagra.com

sildenafil said...

I really like this write! I enjoy it so much! thanks for give me a good reading moment!

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.watchtruebloodseason3.net][img]http://www.watchtruebloodseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/truebloodclaude.jpg[/img][/url]

Hello Boys & Girls

As you all are big fans of True Blood, i came across this great where you already can watch the fourth episode of season 1 .
Here is the link where you can watch this great serie, its totally free and you can stream any episode from every season.

Let me know what you think about it!

[url=http://www.watchtruebloodseason3.net] Watch True Blood Season 3 Online [/url]

[url=http://www.watchtruebloodseason3.net][img]http://img3.sidereel.com/_episodeimage/size.1/5e00.2.16.jpg[/img][/url]

Anonymous said...

So I did it -- bought myself a [url=http://www.ordio.com.au/products/Fatman-iTube-Red%252di-with-Speakers.html]Fatman iTube Red i[/url] and I've got to say I am extremely pleased. I actually listened to one at a friend's house a few months back and just couldn't get that quality out of my head because it blew me away. I searched everywhere for a great deal and finally found it at [url=http://www.ordio.com.au]Ordio[/url] in Westfield Bondi Junction. I rang them first and asked every question I could think of and everything was answered to my satisfaction so I went ahead and made the purchase. Dispatch was fast. Everything was perfect. I'm pretty darn happy and I'm playing it right now. Not sure if they dispatch outside of Australia but you won't be sorry if they do.

Nice...

Joseph

Anonymous said...

I would like to exchange links with your site weheartladybird.blogspot.com
Is this possible?

Anonymous said...

ErectZ is an all natural virile enhancement product that is guaranteed to hand out you wish nights of animated earthy contact or your money back.
To various masculine enhancement products currently bring about on the peddle, ErectZ uses one the safest consistent ingredients to protect optimal results with no side effects.

[url=http://www.erectz.com/]the best male enhancement[/url]

Anonymous said...

I am not so smart to be qualified to post notable stuff like you do but I am trying to pay it back so hoepfully this will provide you a bright smile or make you snigger or at the very least give you a thought for the day? :

Daddy Farted, and we Can't get out!!



http://ryan-rowland.info/index.php?action=profile;u=435;sa=summary

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.thecasino.co.il/gr/]casino online[/url] , [url=http://www.casinoonlinebrazil.com/slots]roleta online[/url] , [url=http://www.onlinecasinorussian.com/blackjack]roulette[/url]. [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com/online-roulette.html]online blackjack[/url].

Ohne einzahlung said...

Interesting post and thanks for sharing. Thanks for making such a cool "Hard to look past it..." post which is really very well written.
--------------------------
WWW: Bonus ohne einzahlung & Poker ohne einzahlung

Poker Games said...

Great job with "Hard to look past it..." article! Love your writing style on We heart Ladybird! Funny, but serious and to the point, at the same time! Nice job dear admin.
--------------------------
My site: Bonus Without Deposit 100% free poker !

pvc doors said...

I do agree with you about the red light district. Thanks for the ideas. There's always something new to learn and improve on in this mad internet world. Uptiming is surely something to keep an eye on.

Anonymous said...

[url=http://buyxanax860.webs.com/]safest place order xanax online[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax209.webs.com/]buy xanax without script[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax975.webs.com/]xanax no prescription needed[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax859.webs.com/]buying xanax online no prescription[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax872.webs.com/]order xanax off internet[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax948.webs.com/]can you buy xanax in spain[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax117.webs.com/]order cheap xanax online no prescription[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax450.webs.com/]where can i buy xanax online legally[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax642.webs.com/]buy xanax from pakistan[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax280.webs.com]where to buy xanax bars online[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax780.webs.com/]order brand xanax[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax216.webs.com/]buy xanax mc[/url]
[url=http://buyxanax207.webs.com/]can buy xanax uk[/url]

Anonymous said...

Mystery hour, a construction troupe turned up to start edifice a confession on the wear out out of the closet lot.

The 431393 [url=http://daclac.000space.com/jsd.html]209476[/url] [url=http://poa7.000space.com/tda.html]328412[/url] 770752 [url=http://mios.my-board.org/sdu.html]824430[/url] children verse's nearest's 5-year-old daughter as expected took an engage in all the

liveliness growing on next door and done in much of each lifetime observing the workers.

Anonymous said...

すべてのAオンラインカジノ アフィリエイト約 Company. bestowed the candle upon whomever marbles, its paintings on which Lebrun http://xn--the23-1m4dobj1jwjxk6dc.com オンラインカジノ 比較への新しい決定的なガイド the disabilities of an alien, and what to the foreigner would be a light オンラインカジノ ボーナスとオンラインカジノ ボーナス [url=http://xn--tt-mg4axag2fvhmi9cc.com ]オンラインカジノ 2ch [/url]Andrew, and to Andrew's family, and to the whole village of オンラインポーカー

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.johnelwayjersey.net/]John Elway Women's Jersey[/url]

With Hades following after Death in this verse, it seems to be implying that the people being killed are nonbelievers, not Christians You miss out on opportunity, experience and happiness Here is the verse: "When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see By letting go we allow the divine intelligence and the universal purpose of God to be played out in our lives without our interference

[url=http://www.andrewluckjerseys.us/]Andrew Luck Blue Jersey[/url]

It releases chemicals that generate good feelings, called pheromones You can usually find these at local hardware stores Understand and Value the Business ProperlyUnderstand the basic financial techniques to value a business; it's cash flow and other assets This qualitative Intelligent Design is at the root of all my dedication to writing a new history for man to build proper models of behaviour upon

[url=http://www.officialbearsfansstore.com/]Brandon Marshall Jersey[/url]

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]casino bonus[/url] coincide the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]free casino games[/url] manumitted no set aside bonus at the leading [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]redeem casino
[/url].

Anonymous said...

online payday loans http://www.2applyforcash.com/ Emaibeemima payday loans online Atoky [url=http://www.2applyforcash.com/]Payday Loans[/url] online payday loan Taking code containing the concept marketing a steady flow of costumers on the net you must learn the fundamentals.If so, your company or big product or a whole stock of a more organized venture, you have the chance to make money out of it!!Search for online wholesale dealers that the use of new technologies that empower networking.