Originally posted on Heart of a Traveller:
I feel like there are a lot articles out there explaining exactly why you should visit Amsterdam. And in my disgust, a lot of them mention only the red light district and weed as reasons. Being Dutch, Amsterdam has a special place in my heart, and branding it as the city of sex and drugs is therefore a little insulting to me. Yes, the red light district in Amsterdam is big, and to some, shocking. Yes, there are a lot of coffee shops, and even with the new laws, you can probably get your hands on weed and other drugs as a tourist. And yes, unfortunately, there is a big industry around all of this, largely because it attracts so many (of the wrong kind, in my opinion) tourists. I’m not saying I’m against these things being present in Amsterdam. I actually support the openness of the red light district, and the visibility of this industry in general, because I believe it promotes safety for all those involved.…