Amsterdam is indeed one of my favourite cities in this whole wide world, if not, my favourite European city. I was there two weeks ago and my encounters proved to be some of the worth-remembering ones.
Firstly, when I took a stroll along the Flower Market, it then started to snow suddenly. Shaved ice, falling down from the sky and the whole street seemed to be curtained by white snow moving with where the wind goes. Some people on the street started erecting their umbrellas but I chose to walk under the snow with only my wooly winter cap on my head. It feels a bit strange when the snow falls and touches your face. It reminds me of the gentle spraying of holy water. Each droplet felt like it penetrated my skin and releasing a feeling of cleansing. I felt blessed after that. Soon, my black winter jacket was sprinkled with shaved white ice. I finally got the chance to do the act of rubbing and padding off the snow from my jacket (an act where I can only watch it happens on TV) when I entered Albert Heijn, a famous supermarket chain there.
My second memorable encounter is the visit to the Rembrandt House. With the city map in hand, I took a wrong turning and ended up walking further away from my intended destination. When I saw, the Calsberg Brewery, I knew, I had to turn back. Something happened at the pedestrian though. A couple of about 40-50 years of age was arguing and shouting their lungs out under a traffic light and the watchful eyes of the public. I could tell that they spoke in French (from my short stint of learning that language) and they were arguing about which direction is the right one to the train station. They both parted for different directions and their poor kid, not sure who to follow. I wonder, it is worth arguing with your partner when things can be solved when temper is kept under control? They both could be right in their direction, it is just which train station do they want to go to. It always upset me to see a relationship strained. And as always, the little ones are the innocent victims.
Rembrandt House is indeed a place to visit for anyone who is curious about famous lives. I always honour people who have made their name remembered for the right reason. Imagine if you’re known as a cheater. How would such a person face the world? Well, I guess, for such people, they don’t even possess the moral conscience or intelligence to comprehend what constitutes cheating. I feel shameful for such individuals. Oh dear, that reminds me of Mr Elliot Spitzer! Once known as a great white-collar crime buster of Wall Street (a real honourable reputation) but now, left with a stigma on his morality stand, when he committed the biggest weakness of most men, purchasing sex. If only we know the reality behind such business. It is most often involves human trafficking. Women and even children who are forced into prostitution out of poverty or simply being kidnapped, or conned into a promise of a better life for their family. How can such demand (by men) be met by such unwilling supply? I seriously very interested in grasping the psychology of such men. Is it power, lust or motivated by chauvinistic values? I urge everyone to watch the movie, “Human Trafficking”. Human trafficking is the third most profitable illegal business after drugs and weapons trafficking according to the movie. It has made me think twice about my travelling pattern these days.
My apologies for the diversion...Rembrandt, is a famous artist of the 17th Century and an inspiration to many other famous artists of our time, one of them, Picasso. Rembrandt is known for his distinguished skill in portrait painting and etching. When I was at the house, I can only see paintings by his apprentices and surprisingly, his teacher, Pieter Lastman. As Rembrandt was an art dealer, his house was used as a gallery and he traded other artworks of other famous European artists of his time. An interesting fact to know, the box beds on display are so short in length and according to the narration of the auditory tour, it seems people at that time dare not sleep by lying flat. They always sleep in lounge position for they believe that when blood rushes up to the head, they will die. Another room to marvel at is Rembrandt’s studio. Many of his original tools are well-preserved and displayed as accurately as how they were when he was using them.
My third most memorable encounter is of course, the Red-light District. A visit to Amsterdam is never complete if you didn't make a stop at these famous places, Red-light District, Magic Mushroom shop and coffeeshops (literally, I really mean visit only, not participating!). Walking towards the Red-light District, you can tell that you are nearby when the air you breath in is the smell of marijuana. I am not sure whether second-hand weed smoking can cause someone to get high but I am most certainly sure that, the whole group of us feel happy and uplifted.
Prostitution here, according to one of the articles in Off The Edge, if I remember correctly, is very different from elsewhere. Prostitution is legal here and what makes it distinguished is that, most prostitutes here are self-employed and they are not pimped. This gives the prostitutes the power to decide on their clients. We managed to catch a glimpse of how a prostitute rushed a potential client away because she seemed to disagree with the terms. Though they stand, pose or sit behind glass windows displaying themselves, I find that, they feel empowered somehow. A feeling, I think only they will know for sure, together with the reality and stories about their choice of employment.
Another thing you will notice in Red-light District now is that, many Holland’s local fashion designers are capitalising on this famous district by displaying their designs and set up their shops there. You’ll see mannequins wearing the local designs in the windows that were once rented by prostitutes. We also went to the not-so-maintstream of the district with a lot of narrow alleyways. Some are really so narrow that we have to form a queue line to see the windows. What an experience! With mixed feelings, we left before this place turns tourist-unfriendly, despite knowing that police are always around and the district is guarded with surveillance cameras everywhere.
Prostitution is indeed a very interesting subject to explore but I can't help but also feel the discomfort about it. I supposed it boils down to our own individual values. Say NO! to prostitution. When there's less demand, they'll be lesser to suffer. Since I am an idealist, I think it is possible! How about you?
