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| Subject: Postcard from Amsterdam - Sex, Food, Religion, and Safety | |
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Author: Amsterdam History |
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Date Posted: 21:26:11 01/18/03 Sat Postcard from Amsterdam - Sex, Food, Religion, and Safety Part 4: John tells all about the rest of Amsterdam More of this Feature • B's Amsterdam Observations • John's Amsterdam Observations • Amsterdam's Coffee House Scene Related Resources • Netherlands Travel Links • Amsterdam Lodging • Amsterdam Sights • Sex Amsterdam on the Web • Rijks Museum • Van Gogh Museum • Stedelijk Museums of Modern Art • Rembrandt House • Ann Frank House The Rest of Amsterdam A reader contributed article by John Amsterdam's restaurants are abundant with indoor and outdoor tables. Nationalities from Brazilian to Uruguayan to Tibetan to French, Dutch, Swiss, Greek, Indonesian, Hindu and many many others serve excellent cuisine. A good complete meal should cost about 12-20 Euro. We especially enjoy the Indonesian delicacies. You can also by French Fries and other snacks on the street. Gracht is the Dutch word for canal and they have plenty of them both major and minor. You can usually follow the Grachts to where you want to go and they provide for a lovely stroll. You might want to stop at the Rembrandt H ouse or the apartment where Anne Frank stayed during WWII. Religion is not very popular in Holland. People quit going a long time ago. You can find services, however. Some of the older churches were not destroyed because of their historical value, but were made into apartment houses or museums. The Pilgrims went to Holland before coming to America. They actually felt they had too much religious freedom and no one paid any attention to them. They then went to America. They weren’t missed. People are living a non-violent lifestyle with practically no crime. They are respectful of one another and are open to new thoughts. Their spiritual orientation seems to be more cosmic than religious. The Red Light District: As our tour boat neared Central Train Station, our guide very proudly pointed out the Red Light District. The sex industry is very alive and well, legal, licensed and taxed in Amsterdam. You can go to the district or call a service and a person will come to your hotel room. Workers are frequently checked out medically. You will most likely have to use a condom. Amsterdam History The history of the Netherlands and Holland is quite interesting. The town of Amsterdam originated where the Amstel River is joined by a sluice dam. Today this is called Dam Square. It is the home of the royal palace. Amsterdam Safety The streets of Amsterdam are made of brick. There is a driving lane, a bicycle lane and a walking lane. BE WARY You must be watchful as people won’t stop for you unless the absolutely have to. You can travel by train, metro, taxicab, boat, tram or bus. The trams are beautifully painted and a pleasure to ride. A boat taxi can get you close to where you want to go. You can take a tour boat throughout the city. Amsterdam Museums There are many museums, galleries and points of interest in Amsterdam. The most famous is the Rijks Museum, built by Napoleon in 1808. It houses among other great treasures one of the most striking paintings of all time, The Night Watch by Rembrandt Van Rijn. It was painted in the 1600’s. The Van Gogh Museum possesses the only remaining Van Gogh with the original frame. Van Gogh created and painted his frames to coincide with the painting. Unfortunately, all others have been discarded or lost in time. Seeing it gives a whole new perspective to his art. The Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art A wonderful blend of 2 and 3 dimensional art. An experience not to miss. Rembrandt House Five Stories of the amazing history of this 17th century master. Ann Frank House An insight into the horrific history of this young Jewish woman’s life during the Nazi occupation during W W II. In and Around Amsterdam Travelling outside Amsterdam shouldn’t cost you more than 50 or 60 Euro round trip anywhere in The Netherlands. A trip to Delft, the burial place of William of Orange or to Groningen, a quaint college town, or the beaches of Haarlem or the city of Utrecht can be made in a single day or for a several day excursion. Tickets can be purchased at Centraal Station or through a travel agency. Purchasing tickets outside the country can be more involved and you may have to wait in line for extended periods of time [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |