Doei Amsterdam
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The Patridge Family Bicycle? |
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Amsterdam Fetish Clothing Shop |
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The Oldest Gay Biker Bar in Amsterdam |
Last year, I wrote about the increase in tourism in Amsterdam. We used to live on the most notorious and
oldest street in Amsterdam, the Warmoesstraat. The rent was low because who
would want their children in such an environment? You could buy anything, step
in anything, or step over anyone passed out.
It had sex shops, head shops, fetish shops, and the kind of gay bars
that kept the faint of heart away.
Today, there is a candy shop where a fetish shop was located, an Irish
pub where the oldest gay fetish bar was located, an Argentinian restaurant (one of thousands) where a gay restaurant was located, 2 supermarkets and a Dunkin' Donuts. Instead of seedy characters, the street is
packed with tourists. The change is not
limited to the Warmoesstraat. The entire
city is overrun with tourists and shops catering to them. When we lived in the city, we had trouble
finding a decent burger. Now, they are
on every corner along with 3 coffee shops, a Starbucks, candy shop, and Dunkin'
donuts. Much of the food is trucked in
from central bakeries and there are fewer businesses that can keep up with the
rent. The city is being absolutely
crushed by tourism but it brings with it a lot of money. Streets where tourists are lost as now
shoulder-to-shoulder—and this is in October.
You talk with locals and friends and they lament the loss of the charm
and livability to tourism. If I could
even afford it, I would not want to live in the city center, or Centrum. It is just too commercial. For the average oblivious tourist, there are
many places to find mediocre food on every corner and shops catering to your
every need. You would have a great time
but miss out on a great Dutch experience.
Talking about the growing pains really does not do the city justice. The Red Light district is a very small part of the city. The town is gorgeous. Walk the canals and side streets to enjoy the architecture and maybe find a quiet place for a quick coffee. Consider a canal ride to see a new perspective. Avoid the pop-up tourist museums, ask shops for food suggestions, check out one of the greatest concert venues in the world, the Concert Gebouw, located behind Museumplein. Tickets are affordable and you can hear a sublime orchestra. Rent a bike and take the free ferry to Nord (North) and get lost. It is charming, close, and easy to
navigate. Also consider a day trip by
the easy to navigate and cheaply accessible train to Leiden. The takeaway?
Get lost. Walk along a quiet
canal. And try some local cuisine on the outskirts instead of day-old pizza
with corn or stale cake.
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Chiquitas Sex Paradijs. Home of the Bouncing Gold Dildo. |
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