Day 2 - Amsterdam

Today we start by visiting Anne Frank’s home where she and her family went into hiding during the Nazi occupation.  An extraordinary story with such a sad ending, had she known her father was still alive she may have not lost the will to live. We then visit the Rembrandt museum and his home.  Known more for his brilliant etchings he went from being an extremely wealthy and sought after artist to losing all his money and going bankrupt. . Also another diamond house – Costers.

We are constantly amazed at the buildings that all lean precariously to the side.   Because the buildings are standing on wooden poles sunk deep into the ground, many of the supports have been exposed to the air and have therefore warped creating an amazing cityscape unlike any I have ever seen before.

 Although we did not indulge (I didn’t feel like being too much out of control when we only had a couple of days here) the reefer cafés are very common along with shops selling implements to smoke cannabis.  In our upmarket hotel there is a brass plaque in the lift that warns of a 150 euros fine for smoking cannabis in the hotel.  At least one guest would be fined!

You can see a glimpse of the red fluoro lights in the window on the right of the street.

 After coffee and bagels we seek out one of Amsterdam’s most famous attractions – the “Red Light” district.  They really are just windows surrounded by red fluorescent lights with girls, or in some cases, woman that seem well passed retirement age, wiggling bits of their bodies or licking their lips suggestively to tempt the many men who wander by ogling their wares with jaws dropped slightly lower than normally accepted.  The rooms are small and contain a bed, a toilet, various ‘toys’ and not much else …….. signs around inform you that rooms are available to rent.  The men slip quietly in and out of the doorways without so much as a side glance.  Once in, the prices are negotiated, and if suitable the curtain is drawn for the duration then its back to business as usual.  The current conservative government are keen to reduce this seamier side of the city landscape, however the locals believe it is a tourist ‘draw card’ and, more importantly, the incidence of rape is the lowest in the world.  Many of the windows are beside regular shops, emphasising the normality of this side of life in Amsterdam, and many people were accompanied by their children as they wander the streets. There are many ‘sex’ shops and supermarkets around offering bargain prices on various implements.  I insist on going into one, and, although I'm tempted to make the obligatory purchase commemorating this famous tourist destination, I consider returning through Australian customs, and decide to pass.

 As we wander across another canal I am taken aback by the man standing on the corner obviously relieving himself!  It’s not until he moves on that I realize that he was standing at a public urinal for men!  No doors, just a free-standing, four-sided urinal!!  The sign says it all really.  You soon discover that these are dotted throughout the city.  Women clearly have to hang on!

 Later that day we visit the Rijksmuseum to see Rembrandt's “Nightwatchman”, which is also celebrated as a free standing sculpture in another part of the city.