Life In Netherlands

Obviously, I only got a glimpse at life in Netherlands, but I took a few pics to show what I came to understand. I would very much like to revisit the small towns.

Zwolle

We stayed near the small town of Zwolle, Netherlands, an hour by car or train from Amsterdam.

Coffee

First stop: coffee! Not sure where to go, I figured how could you go wrong with a shop selling Columbian roast that has a Jeep facade?

People

Zwolle’s narrow streets would have a car coming through every so often, but most often you’d only see bicyclists weaving through pedestrians.

This coffee shop had its seating positioned so that folks aimed their attention to people walking the street, rather than directly toward each other. I thought that made for great people watching; truly just hanging out.

Amsterdam

Bicycles! Wow, the bicycling in Amsterdam feels like a simulation of a bee roaming around a hive. I actually rented a bike to explore the city a bit. And no, I did not kill that bicycle.

Leaning Buildings

Many of Amsterdam’s buildings lean toward the streets or canals. A beam at the top of the building usually has a hook, so goods would get hoisted up through windows instead of going up stairs. The lean would help prevent goods from smashing windows as some swing would occur no matter how much care went into hoisting.

An interesting note about Amsterdam buildings: the width of the face of a property mattered for taxation purposes. So, many buildings would remain narrow. A wealthy homeowner or pretentious businessman would limit the number of floors and build wide, to show off their status.

Red Light District

Areas of cities designated or otherwise well known for a concentration of sex workers, sex shops and strip clubs go by the term red list districts. The source of the term remains up in the air, with several competing stories regarding the origin, but the first known written use comes from Sandusky, Ohio.

In Amsterdam, the De Wallen area of the city houses the largest red light district. There, sex workers display themselves from viewing boxes lit in red, to passers by on the street.

The area does not permit photography, with monitoring cameras and posted signs showing hefty fines for violations. Surrounding the sex workers’ places of business, many shops and museums exist, like this condom shop.

Park Anywhere

An example of the best of intentions that ended up a horrible idea: these tiny cars. To provide handicapped persons with convenient mobility around the city, the government subsidized purchases of these small conveyances. People could drive them in the bicycle lanes and park them anywhere. Unfortunately, able people started paying money to doctors in order to claim disabilities so they could travel around the city without the inconveniences of biking in the weather or paying for parking. Now, these tiny cars cost a small fortune and the government estimates that less than 50% of the owners actually need them.

The Canals

Everything in Amsterdam revolves around the canal waterways. Many businesses rest of barges rather than off the streets. Above, a chain of barges serve as a flower market.

Do not add your own fluids to the canals. Doing so comes with a sizable fine. Every so many blocks, a public urinal exists, for relief. That stated, I do not know if the city accommodated women by adding public toilets.