Red Light District

We took our kids, 9 and 12 to show them that not everyone has a great life like them. Some feel this is their only way of survival. I remember there being a really big church there for such a small neighborhood. My daughter (9) said “There shouldn’t be a church here.” and I said, everyone needs a church and these people need Jesus too. Remember, Jesus hung out with prostitutes.

Nonchalant would be the word I would use to describe this place. Many ladies in the windows were sending text messages or painting their nails while they wait for their next customer. Men prowl the streets and there is a strange tension.

There is a lot that I don’t understand here. I’m sure some ladies are there on their own accord, however it’s very complex and complicated. I couldn’t help but think about the ladies that were here not because of their own choice.

Sex and money are powerful things, but it’s a bit of a sad place that makes me feel people are being taken advantage of.

I was surprised how I wasn’t surprised about the women in the windows. If I was surprised, it was at how bored they looked, at the weird juxtaposition of the Oude Kerk being here, and at the view of it from the living room window of an apartment I went to here.

I was also surprised at just how lost I managed to get here, even with a map, and at the outdoor urinal, and the sign for it (sorry, no photo, I thought it might be considered impolite). I think it was this experienced that inspired me to buy a compass at the science museum in london.

Bars close early…like 0100…at least durring the week. If you are not fully entertained by the women…that’s really all they have.

I wish more places were like this! And If only I had had more time! At least I left plenty to do next time. And there WILL be a next time, you can count on it.