This was part of A day in Amsterdam 🇳🇱 🔗.
Because of the constant rain, I wasn’t even sure if anyone else would turn up or if the tour would operate, but a few others showed up and we were off. We walked through the Red Light District and learned about its long history and the legalization of prostitution. While walking past the Oude Kerk, I saw the Borstplaat in brons (Breastplate in Bronze), a small, tactile street sculpture embedded in the cobblestones that serves as a subtle tribute to sex workers. Hearing about the ground realities of the area was a little disconcerting, yet eye-opening.
Next, we made it to Nieuwmarkt and learned how trade made Amsterdam the richest city in the world during the Golden Age. The square is dominated by De Waag, a 15th-century fortified gate that once served as a weigh house. Our guide then explained the city’s liberal “accept or tolerate” drug policy. Having never tried any of these substances before, my curiosity was piqued, but I was afraid I would wake up in some ditch in a questionable state and miss my flight home the next day. If I hadn’t been traveling alone and had someone to watch out for me, I probably would have tried a pot brownie.
We continued on, making our way across historic stone bridges and past rows of narrow canal houses. Many of these houses lean forward or to the side, a result of the wooden pole foundations sinking into the soft soil over the centuries.
Next was the University District, where we learned about the ubiquitous Dutch bike culture. Seeing thousands of bicycles parked along the canals really emphasized how the city is designed for two wheels rather than four.
Our last stop was Dam Square. We visited the National Monument, a white stone pillar honoring those lost in WWII, and the Royal Palace Amsterdam, a grand 17th-century structure originally built as a city hall to project the city’s immense wealth and power.
