John Green once asserted that, “Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.” I agree.
“The secret to happiness is freedom… And the secret to freedom is courage.” –Thucydides
The city of Amsterdam was founded in 1250 with the construction of the Dam that gave it its name. ‘Aeme Stelle Redamme’ is Medieval Dutch for: ‘Dam in a Watery Area’. Through a free tour, I took in Amsterdam during Spring Break. I learned a lot about the historical tolerance of the Netherlands. It is because of that tour that I fell in love with Amsterdam. The Netherlands, also referred to as Holland, is the one of the most tolerant and progressive countries in the world. Their policies regarding recreational drugs, prostitution, same-sex marriage and euthanasia, are among the most liberal in the world. The sale and use of soft drugs (like marijuana and mushrooms) in coffee shops, has been tolerated for decades. Prostitution was legalized in October 2000. Holland was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage and euthanasia. During the 17th century (and even during World War II, until Hitler invaded the Netherlands), Amsterdam was an essential sanctuary for religious dissidents. I admire how much freedom people are afforded there and I truly wish the rest of the world was just like it.
“I’m in love with Mary Jane. She’s my main thing. She makes me feel alright. She makes my heart sing. And when I’m feeling low, she comes as no surprise. Turns me on with her love. Takes me to paradise, do you love me Mary Jane?” – Rick James
As soon as I arrived in Amsterdam, I immediately felt at home. What was most comforting to me was the fact that just about everyone spoke English. I didn’t realize how much language barriers could hinder communication and affect your experience abroad until I traveled to countries like Portugal and Spain where people didn’t speak any English. Another thing that offered me serenity was the abundance of good vibes. Everyone in Amsterdam was nice and helpful. The presence of tranquility may have been attributed to the fact that everyone was casually smoking weed in public. In fact, when I was walking to the meeting point for my tour I noticed a group of guys smoking weed right next to the cops. This was fascinating to me because where I come from, the Bronx, that isn’t even fathomable. If you’re caught smoking weed by a police officer in New York City you would be arrested without a doubt. In most parts of the United States, the use of marijuana is criminalized even though it is a soft drug that naturally occurs in nature.
Meanwhile in Holland, the drug policy is directed by an idea that every human being may decide about the matters of its own health (aka freedom). The Dutch view the use of drugs as a health matter, like the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. A second idea which guides Dutch laws in their drug policy is the belief that hiding socially negative phenomena does not make them disappear, in fact it makes them worse because when concealed, they become more difficult to influence and control. By applying these ideas to their drug laws the Dutch attempt to decriminalize the use of soft drugs. Nonetheless, hard drugs like cocaine, LSD, morphine, and heroin are illegal in the Netherlands as in any other country. Soft drugs like cannabis in all its forms (weed, hash, hash oil) and hallucinogenic mushrooms are tolerated under the condition of “personal use”. Therefore, the smoking of cannabis even in public, isn’t prosecuted if it happens in a limited, controlled way.
Although the consumption of cannabis is legal in the Netherlands, the distribution of it is not. However, Amsterdam Coffee Shops are licensed to sell small quantities of cannabis (maximum transaction being 5 grams) to adults over 18. The term ¨coffee shop¨refers to an alcohol-free establishment where cannabis (weed, hash, marijuana) is sold and consumed. There are about 250 coffee shops in Amsterdam, the most popular one being a shop called The Bulldog. In coffee shops you can expect to see an assortment of people sitting around communal tables consuming weed. There is typically music playing and either a waiter will come around to take your order or you have to order at the bar. There are two types of menus, a drink menu which only consists of caffeinated drinks, teas, and smoothies and a cannabis menu which often lists special weed. To enter any coffee shop you must purchase something, whether it is just a drink or weed (some shops require you to buy weed from them to smoke there). Most coffee shops will allow you to inspect the weed (look at it under a microscope) and will provide you with utensils to consume it such as a grinder, papers, filters or a volcano (a device that vaporizes weed while inflating a plastic bag with only THC which you inhale). In Amsterdam, the consumption of weed is a somewhat private yet social activity. People meet their friends at coffee shops, go there between their lunch break and overall just to unwind. It’s probably the best idea since sliced bread.
“We are women. We are attractive. We have great bodies. You can’t escape that fact, so why not use it to our advantage? If sex sells, I’m all for it.” – Lisa Leslie
Being a harbor city, Amsterdam has a long-standing tradition of having a strong presence of prostitution. After long voyages at sea with nothing but men, sailors would typically come back to Amsterdam and spend all the money they earned on sex. Even though the Netherlands is historically a Christian country, prostitution was widely tolerated by the church because the church preferred that the horny sailors had sex with the deflowered sex workers than harass the virgins of the city. Prostitution has been legal in the Netherlands since 1830 but in October 2000 a new law was introduced subjecting prostitution to municipal regulations regarding the organization and the practice of business. The government tries to regulate prostitution to protect minors, eliminate forced prostitution and combat new phenomena of human trafficking. I think this is a significant stride the government has made because as I stated before, criminalizing something doesn’t reduce the consumption of it. Sex will always sell, but if you’re selling sex, it’s crucial to protect the workers and control the industry.
Prostitution is common in red-light district areas. The districts get its name because in the “olden” days, railway workers carried red lights to leave outside brothels to signal that they were open. I went to the red-light district twice during my time in Amsterdam. The most ironic thing to me about the red-light district in Amsterdam is that it’s located in the same neighborhood as the oldest building in the city, which also happens to be a church. When I explored the area during the day with my tour group,I noticed that not only was there a brothel less than 50 meters away from the church, but there was also one directly next to an elementary school. I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. However, it also made me think. What did people tell their children about the naked women in the window on their way to school? I assume the Dutch are more open about sexuality which diminishes the stigma and the need for secrecy regarding prostitution and possibly nudity. I also wondered if the tolerance of prostitution has a positive impact regarding sexual assault rates. Are individuals less likely to be perpetrators of rape if they can hire sex workers? Or does it have no effect on sexual violence being that prostitutes can also be victimized by rapists? These are just some thoughts that ran through my mind.
At night, the Red-Light district was a different beast. The red lights illuminated the narrow back streets and you could see men for blocks on end gazing in front of the windows seeming almost in a trance. It was like watching kids in a candy store. To my surprise not only was there a variety of women (different shape, sizes and skin complexions), but they were also very beautiful (for the most part). This actuality reinforces the saying, “sex sells.” Not only is there a high demand for sex but brothels meet that demand by offering workers that may satisfy an array of preferences. However, as I walked through the red-light district captivated by the red lights and eccentric signs, I couldn’t truly appreciate this aspect of Amsterdam as a woman. Even though it was fascinating to observe the neighborhood in its entirety, I felt like although times have changed (somewhat), centuries later women are still being sexually objectified and dangled in front of men for their entertainment like a piece of meat. These feelings made me cringe and I quickly left the district to indulge in less controversial activities.
“Even Old New York was once New Amsterdam.” - Unknown
When I organized my trip to Amsterdam, I knew it wouldn’t be anything like the other trips I have taken abroad. It however, was different in ways I didn’t anticipate. I assumed that this trip would be entirely revolved around sin but in truth it was based on freedom and virtue. Unlike the other trips I have taken, this one wasn’t a solo trip; I journeyed around Amsterdam with four of my friends from Madrid. Nonetheless, I often journeyed away from the group to do my own thing and in doing that I unearthed self-determination. I feel like often, when traveling with other people it’s hard to agree on things everyone wants to do and ultimately you end up compromising what you wish to do for the group. I didn’t. I was determined to do everything Ymoni wanted to do and I did! By doing that, not only was my trip filled with sin it was also balanced with the acquisition of invaluable knowledge. I didn’t expect to learn as much as I did, especially regarding my hometown; Bronx, New York.
Did you know that:
The Bronx was named after the Swedish-born landowner Jonas Bronck, who settled in the area in 1639?
Brooklyn refers to Breukelen, the Dutch village in the Netherlands?
The term Yankee (also the name of the MLB team located in the Bronx) derives from the Dutch equivalent for the English name John? Originally, it was used as a nickname for Dutch settlers living along the Hudson River and later extended to New Englanders?
The world’s first stock market was established in Amsterdam in 1602 by the Dutch East India Trading Company?
Prior to visiting Amsterdam, I didn’t know any of this. I was fascinated by everything that I had learned. It was through my enlightenment that I fell in love with Amsterdam. There is no city like it. From a very early period, the city expressed progressive and liberal points of view and as member of an oppressed subgroup that is something I deeply regard with respect. Becoming aware of the “Freedom City” and how it came to be, I realized how far behind the rest of the world is. I can’t wait for it to catch up!
“I awoke, only to find that the rest of the world is still asleep.” -Leonardo Da Vinci
Tips/Recommendations:
Watch out for bikes! There are tons of them and they just might be the death of you LOL
If you’re interested in visiting to Anne Frank’s House, BOOK IT IN ADVANCE! Tickets can only be reserved online and it’s typically sold out!
If you’re interested in visiting the Van Gogh Museum, BOOK IT IN ADVANCE! It isn’t as popular as Anne Frank’s House but tickets also can only be booked online.
REMEMBER: Cannabis (weed) is not legal! It is tolerated in SMALL amounts (less than 5 grams).