The Infamous Red Light District

This article goes hand in hand with the getting high post...Maybe we should have a separate category for such relaxations.

Treated for years as a taboo subject and a delicate matter, the Red Light District is the very home of Dutch prostitution – which is legal in the Netherlands. The measure was enforced as a means of reducing illegal prostitution (as it is a declared activity, prostitution is now taxed and brings money to the state budget) and human trafficking.

The Red Light is located in the old part of Amsterdam, and spreads through several streets. It is traditionally divided into three regions – De Wallen, the Singelgebied and the Ruysdaelkade. De Wallen is the largest of them, and a notable touristy attraction of the Dutch capital.

Depending on the part at which you enter the Red Light, you will be met with a different picture. I entered at the part of the Oude Kerk church; ironic, isn’t it?

A church at the entrance to the Red Light. It is a national pride, being the oldest parish church, so it was not moved, but the Red Light continued to grow around it.

So, by entering the district at the Oude Kerk church, you will be able to see numerous stores, kiosks and booths (similar to the market stalls) selling all sorts of sex related items, from sex toys to pornographic videos. If you feel a strong and heavy smell, well, that is the weed.

Passing these stores, you will be introduced to an apparently regular street, with numerous one storey buildings, which have large windows. If you look more carefully however, you will see that in every window sits a girl in her lingerie, luring customers. Do not take pictures! I saw a girl in her bikini chasing down a guy for having taken her picture. So no pictures allowed in the Red Light. Other than that, enjoy the view!