One day in Amsterdam
In order to get a dose of the colorful and hyperemotional Amsterdam, there is no need to dash from a railway station to the nearest coffe-shop. This city, like a narcotic itself, can bring euphoria, can make you think and open up the meaning of life. All you need is to wander the streets without any plan. If you still need a plan, at least a plan of the city, a map can be printed out in a special machine free of charge and without annoying people.
However, people there are open-minded and do not object to having a chat or helping out with an advice.
We picked the funniest advice...We are heading to a sport shoes shop to take a look at beautiful and expensive shoes.
We also end up in a gallery and a barber's shop in the same building. When we are watching pictures, a salesman asks: "Would you mind a cup of tea?”
After 10 minutes of tea, we have found out that beggers in Amsterdam are hairdressed free of charge for the sake of beauty in the whole world.
“My girldfriend with whom we run this shop likes staging actions: to cut hair free of charge for homeless and teenaged mothers. They really like her a lot!", says Dick who owns Barrio shop.
There are many altruists in Amsterdam. We heard a story about a 70-year-old woman who owns a brothel in the Red Lights district. Sometimes, she comes down to stand in a window and pick a couple of clients. "I do not do it for money, I just like my job" she said.
We are moving further and can see a crowd of people in the middle of the street. Concert? Demonstration? It turned out it was a typical Dutch beer bar when everyone stands with mugs of beer, chatting right on the street.
It is time to visit a friend. While looking for a bike, we heard an interesting advice: "Instead of renting it, just spend some time on any street, and a bike will be offered to you for 10 euros for ever. The bike will be stolen.
Well ... We took a tram. We were met by kind and joyful Dutchman called Sandros. He is gay, but nobody in Amsterdam gets fishy about it. Sandros proposed to visit a club:
“We prefer underground gay clubs. Tourists do not know them, but the ambiance is cool and everything is cheap (beer costs 2 euros). I will take you there! But you will have to pretend as lesbians for one night. Otherwise, you will not be allowed in. Do you mind?”
In Amsterdam, we don't mind!
Perhaps, something else happened on that day in Amsterdam, but who will tell you the truth? Well, maybe a local alcoholic who is singing a sad song to tired local residents... Go there and ask him!
Photo: Mila Kotka
However, people there are open-minded and do not object to having a chat or helping out with an advice.
We picked the funniest advice...We are heading to a sport shoes shop to take a look at beautiful and expensive shoes.
We also end up in a gallery and a barber's shop in the same building. When we are watching pictures, a salesman asks: "Would you mind a cup of tea?”
After 10 minutes of tea, we have found out that beggers in Amsterdam are hairdressed free of charge for the sake of beauty in the whole world.
“My girldfriend with whom we run this shop likes staging actions: to cut hair free of charge for homeless and teenaged mothers. They really like her a lot!", says Dick who owns Barrio shop.
There are many altruists in Amsterdam. We heard a story about a 70-year-old woman who owns a brothel in the Red Lights district. Sometimes, she comes down to stand in a window and pick a couple of clients. "I do not do it for money, I just like my job" she said.
We are moving further and can see a crowd of people in the middle of the street. Concert? Demonstration? It turned out it was a typical Dutch beer bar when everyone stands with mugs of beer, chatting right on the street.
It is time to visit a friend. While looking for a bike, we heard an interesting advice: "Instead of renting it, just spend some time on any street, and a bike will be offered to you for 10 euros for ever. The bike will be stolen.
Well ... We took a tram. We were met by kind and joyful Dutchman called Sandros. He is gay, but nobody in Amsterdam gets fishy about it. Sandros proposed to visit a club:
“We prefer underground gay clubs. Tourists do not know them, but the ambiance is cool and everything is cheap (beer costs 2 euros). I will take you there! But you will have to pretend as lesbians for one night. Otherwise, you will not be allowed in. Do you mind?”
In Amsterdam, we don't mind!
Perhaps, something else happened on that day in Amsterdam, but who will tell you the truth? Well, maybe a local alcoholic who is singing a sad song to tired local residents... Go there and ask him!
Photo: Mila Kotka
