The Netherlands

Visited: July 1991

Duration of visit: 3 days

Capital city: Amsterdam

Population: 15 million (1991)

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

• After mi time in Paris, Amsterdam emerged as the singular European city I desired to discover.
• The expensive city is distinguished by numerous bicycles, scenic canals and liberal principles.

The Netherlands has consistently ranked low on my travel priorities. Moreover, it appears that this country is not intended to be a significant element of my travel itinerary.

In 1991, during a European excursion with Andrey, our sole desire following the visit to Paris was to discover Amsterdam.

The capital city of Netherlands, famous for its hippie culture, the red-light district along the canals, and a relaxed approach to usage of marijuana, has a unique appeal. However, it is also exceedingly expensive, with more bicycles than homes, which are often quite small in size elevated prices and significant taxation.

Amsterdam is an incredibly popular tourist destination and one of the main things people come to see is the famous Red-Light District. This attraction was equally significant for us. The world’s oldest profession is openly displayed in central Amsterdam, along both sides of the main canal, with various side streets here and there.

In the Red-Light District, prostitution is legal and subject to regulation. Sex workers are often seen either seated or moving suggestively behind windows. Behind the curtains or a kind of barriers, they usually have a bed and a bathroom. Customers typically knock on the window or glass door to negotiate services, and if the curtain is drawn, the transaction is officially initiated.

While hitchhiking on the highway in the Netherlands, we encountered a rather strange situation. As rain began to fall, we moved under a bridge for shelter and took the chance to dry our tent. To our surprise, a police car, which turned out to be a Porsche, appeared.

I was astonished to realize that traffic police in the Netherlands could drive my dream car, the Porsche 911.

Although my memories of the Netherlands are few, after my visit in 1991, I have not experienced a significant inclination to return and further explore the tulip country. I am contemplating the possibility of visiting the Netherlands together with Belgium, which has also been somewhat neglected in my travel itinerary.

PS: Unfortunately, I don’t possess any photos from the Netherlands.