Late Night Stroll Through Amsterdam ......
After a little nap recovering form a long flight and day with no sleep virtually, it was 10 pm and I was wide awake and there was no chance that I was going to drift back asleep now. I grabbed my camera and headed out the door to see a city that I’ve always wanted to see, especially at night.
The rain was just letting up for the first time here, it appeared I may get a shot of the full moon or at the very least it’s glow lighting the clouds in front of it. As I hoped on the local tram not really knowing where to go, I just let it take me to what I thought looked intriguing. It was clear to see that lights played a large part in this city and set a mood, which was no doubt electric. The images of rain soaked cobble stone roads reflecting the colors of the city where something else.
But the giant cathedral on the main canal with the moon lit clouded sky made me feel like I was part of a renaissance painting.
For the most part the people of the Netherlands are not outwardly friendly and to get a simple smile or eye connection one has to try a little harder than normal.. It’s probably why the Red Light District quickly became a favorite place to hang out.. Here everyone was simply lit and smiles were common as the café’s that most likely were responsible for them in the first place. These “Café’s” lined the streets and even a quick walk through any of them was enough to join the party with out even sitting down due to the blends of NY Diesel, Bubblegum, White Widow or Acapulco Gold to name a few swirling in the air. Each bar was psychedelically decorated and played types of music to enhance the experience.
I was in the Damkrimking having a few beers and enjoying the residual ambiance of the place talking to a few of the locals. The iridescent bar was such a visual exploration that of course I had to covertly break out the world biggest camera ( I really need to get a little pocket camera) and get a few images so I can be sure my memory came somewhat close to reality…I was having one of those two way conversations with the folks to my left and also to my right. When I looked back over in the direction of the person I was talking to on the right and he was gone and a cat was sitting on the bar stool as if he was a customer waiting for an order. It was about then I felt I had better get some fresh air. Besides he kept looking at me and smiling..
Maybe I was wrong about these Northern Europeans after all…
Even though the streets are lined with all kinds of shady dealings blurred in a neon glow, it was apparent to me that I was in a safe place. Walking alone well past midnight now, I was approached intermittently for just about anything one could imagine. Each time though it was almost a polite encounter and there was never any pressure selling. That is of course with the small exception of walking by the doors and windows which glowed pink and red telling anyone who was interested there was always company to be had.
This was the part, even more so than the café’s that will leave a lasting impression..
It never dawned on me that a red light district was exactly that. I always thought it was a place where tourist went to see what shady things used to go on decades ago late at night in the dark streets passed the neon glow of red lights that marked the area in no uncertain terms. I expected a few novelty stores and maybe a suspect streetwalker strolling around, all the while not really going anywhere. But what I found more than illuminated the dark streets, but more my naiveté. There was a quaint little ally off one of the main cobblestone streets hat was very normal except for the act that is had these little glowing red lights scattered on each side. Since the roads are so narrow, as you walk down them, it isn’t until you get right up on them that a woman in lingerie or less is locking eyes with you and doing her best to entice you. Other windows are clear to see from the main road or canal and are there to see many at one time, maybe so that one can compare. It’s no different than walking down the row of a grocery store. It’s just that this row begins and end with little red lantern lights. One thing is for sure, although its a safe place to stroll around in the wee hours of the night as an outsider, I didn’t get the impression any of the girl wanted their picture taken. So an effort was made to blur them and still give the feel of their life and preserve their dignity.
It was getting later into the morning and the rain had returned, this time much harder. I was feeling ready for the goose down comforter waiting for me back in my room and looked for a bus as the trolley’s had stopped running already. After my usual two or three wrong turns, I found my way back to the hotel and never felt the bed as I settled in, but the images, sounds and smells lingered well into the next day.
Next stops Brugge, Brussels and Ghent, Belgium…
Chris Perry
Wildsidegalleries.com