Lectures, Excursions, Memorable Facts: Week 1

Lecture on sex work in Amsterdam... Miriam says new Christian conservative government is unsuccessfully trying to replace the Red Light District with high-end clothing botiques. Talk to guy on street about this, he confirms the story and is appalled by the plan. He thinks that legalization is the only way to ensure prostitutes have rights and advocates, and the if the Netherlands criminalizes prostitution sex workers will continue operations but will not be gauranteed the same health and safety. I agree. However, he says that he doesn't think the Red Light District will ever be shut down because most of Amsterdam is too secular and liberal, and he and most of his friends intend to "cause a fuss" if prostitution is criminalized.

Which brings up another interesting point about the Netherlands governments--apparently all political parties are too small to form a single government, so any administration is necessarily a coalition. Currently those parties in power are the Christian Democrats, some social something party, and the Christian Conservatives. Apparently the Christian Democrats tried to sign the Socialist party on board but they refused becuase of ideological divisions, so they were stuck with the Christian Conservatives who have apparently become very unpopular here (according to Street Guy).

The Dutch people have been very kind and friendly. When Ruben and I were lost in Amstelveen, a man bought us train tickets (the electronic machines were only in Dutch) and a young girl took two transfers back into the city with us even though she lived in Amstelveen. An incredibly altruistic man biked us back to Dam Square even though he lived over twenty minutes back in the way we came. It was really touching how kind and compassionate everyone was, and an experience I will never forget.

I have noticed that people have been especially kind to me, and I think part of that doesn't have to do with the fact I support the tourism industry but rather centers around my blonde hair and blue eyes. I was originally surprised because there are supposed to be so many blondes here, but I think they are a dying breed as Amsterdam becomes more diverse and little blonde kids bring up nostalgic memories.