What is Amsterdam really like? Its scary.

Amsterdam is scary, but not for the reasons you may think. For a city that’s known for the legal use of marijuana and prostitution, you would think that we would be scared of crime or drugs. However, the scariest thing about Amsterdam is….the bike path.

During my first day in Amsterdam, I was involved in a car accident and witnessed a bike incident that ended with an ambulance. The bike lane is no joke, especially if you’re under the influence of mind altering drugs. Be careful.

Now, onto the other aspects that make Amsterdam so special. Unless your visiting Amsterdam for the tulips or to gaze over the beautiful canals, you’re probably going to see De Wallen, the largest and best known red light district in Amsterdam. De Wallen is laid out like a labyrinth, with a network of alleys displaying prostitutes in windows illuminated by red lights. You can also find plenty of coffee shops and sex theaters.

The Drugs:

In Amsterdam, purchasing marijuana is similar to buying a drink. You can walk into a coffee shop and choose from a laminated menu. There are a lot of different types of marijuana and the workers can inform you what to expect from each, sort of like a salesman..but not the annoying type of salesman….more of a chilled out salesman that you sort of want to hang out with after work. You can even save yourself some time and buy a pre-made joint. In cafes, you can purchase edible marijuana treats or the other popular drug in Amsterdam-Truffles. You may want to be more careful with the Truffles. Do not take them in the dark and expect to make it to a sex show or parade the streets at night. Bad idea. You will probably just end up stranded on the side of a canal for hours terrified to death. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The Prostitutes:

The prostitutes parade themselves in door windows open to the streets. Most of them don’t look like the prostitutes you would see on American Television. They aren’t too old, too young, or visibly on drugs. The majority of the prostitutes in Amsterdam are actually really attractive looking younger women. Prostitution is a legitimate job there and these girls take care of themselves the way actresses and models might. The majority of prostitutes work out and take care of their bodies because that is their full time job. The prostitutes even pay taxes in Amsterdam. In a recent survey, 74% of Dutch citizens defined prostitution as an acceptable job and 78% felt that prostitution was just like any other job.

The Food:

As expected in a city that is known for it’s marijuana use, there are plenty of food options. The streets are lined with any cuisine you could imagine, and some of the best bakeries I’ve ever been in. You could be adventurous and try some of the traditional and unique food known to Amsterdam, or you could smoke a joint and grab some Chinese followed by a crepe, a cheeseburger and some gelato. We won’t judge.

The Scenery:

After visiting Amsterdam, I was surprised that not many people speak about the ambience of the city; Canals lined with luxurious houses, enormous colorful flower beds and historical house boats. Its intimate and cozy but also wild and enthusiastic. You may have came for De Wallen, but you’ll return for the larger picture. After all, where else can you share a nitrous balloon with a bunch of teenagers in Vondelpark?