Probably you have heard about the Amsterdam Red-Light District
as this is a very famous section in the Netherlands. Much to
your surprise, what you may have heard is true! Here are some
facts about the Amsterdam Red-Light District, a place unlike
any place else.
The famous Amsterdam Red-Light District covers a large area
in the oldest part of the city. It has been servicing the personal
needs and desires of locals and visitors for five centuries, and
thanks to the old buildings leaning at odd angles overlooking
the tree-enshrouded canals that a certain charm tempts you
to linger longer in the area. In this district, music of every
genre can be heard along the streets from a dozen or more
places late at night. And, it is the classier restaurants,
redone streets, and revamped facades that transform what
once dark and dingy into one of the most attractive parts of
town - the Amsterdam Red-Light District.
Prostitution in the District
Did you know that prostitution is legal in the Netherlands?
Yes, it is! It is most concentrated in the Amsterdam
Red-Light District where it has enjoyed a long tradition of
tolerance. It has been reported that since October 2000,
window prostitutes have been allowed to legally ply their
trade. Much to your surprise, the prostitutes in the
Netherlands are also taxpayers. However, discrimination is
still very much part and parcel in this kind of trade as a
number of the prostitutes reported that some banks even
refuse to grant mortgages for instance.
Now, as a legal profession, the government ensures that all
prostitutes are able to access medical care and work in
better conditions by way of regulating and monitoring working
practices and standards. Also, it is worth noting that contrary
to the popular belief, the Amsterdam Red-Light District is
actually the safest area in the city as clusters of policemen
and private bodyguards employed by the girls themselves are
always on duty.
The Chinatown
The Amsterdam Red-Light District is one of the few places on
earthy where you can authentic and really tasty Chinese food.
The restaurants in this district are easy to find as cooked
Duck is typically hung in the front window. However, Chinatown
in itself is misleading as there are also dozens of Malaysian,
Indonesian and Thai restaurants and cafs scattered along the
beautiful canals. Besides the restaurants, there are other
Chinese businesses in the Amsterdam Red-Light District,
including a well stocked supermarket across from the Waag,
near the Nieuwemarkt.
The Red-Light District Today
Amsterdam now prides itself on its wholly liberal and tolerant
attitude. The city embraces, with the Amsterdam Red-Light
District, embraces the fact that people may be into
prostitution, pornography and soft drugs. So, instead of
criminalizing everything, Amsterdam wears its heart on its
sleeve. What you see is generally what you get. So, how do
you get to it? The answer basically lies on which Amsterdam
Red-Light District you are looking for. There are actually three
Red-Light Districts in the city: the main area is in the Walletjes
area, the Singel, and de Pijp.
Article written by Burt Cotton. |
