The Red Light District

Its reputation precedes it. The area of Amsterdam devoted to sex and drugs. The Red Light District has a long history dating back to when prostitution was legalized in Amsterdam. Amsterdam became a thriving trade center and sailors were always eager to get off the boat from a long voyage and into the arms of a woman. There are shops called "The Erotic Cellar". Lingerie, sex toys and condoms are framed in the windows. One shop is completely devoted to condoms. Every size and color. Some have different tips; a rocket, seahorse, dragon, snake. The Statue of Liberty looked a bit odd and uncomfortable. Bright signs advertise live sex shows. There are many bars and coffee shops. The Cannibis College, Hemp Museum and for that matter, our hostel are all located there. Urinals are scattered throughout. The Old Church, which no longer serves as a church, was located conviently between the docks and the district for sailors repentence. Some corrupt and conieving priests developed a card so that you could repent for sin you were about to do, for a small fee of course.

And now to the ladies. It is surreal to see them standing in the windows. Some simply stand there, others dance, some look amazingly bored and talk on their cell phones and yet others are um... more erotic in their invitations. When a man approaches they invite him in, name the price and draw the curtain. 50 Euros will buy 15 minutes with a lady. Rooms/windows are rented for 70-400 Euros a month. Rooms are equipped with panic buttons to push in case of trouble. I suppose rates are based on location, time of day and security provided. There is no photography in the district as it is in business 24/7. If pictures are taken, the ladies will come out and throw the camera in question in the canal. The youngest girls are 18 years old. The oldest is 82 and has a 2 week wait list.

When we went during the day it was quiet and felt quite safe. Thursday night it was suprisingly quiet, almost a respectful hush. On Friday, Melissa and I saw a group of Asian business men counting the cash in their wallets as they walked through Dam Square. I said, "Mmm, I wonder where they could be going." Melissa suggested that we follow them. So we did. We discovered that we should not become spies and that our trailing techniques left a lot to be desired. We left the men in line for the live sex show and continued walking the streets. The district was much louder and had more energy than before. Girls opened their doors and were chatting to each other, pulling men in by their ties if they paused a bit too long outside a door. There was a pink glow from the red lights.

While on our walking tour of Amsterdam, a young Swiss man asked me how I felt about the Red Light District as a woman. I also asked him what he thought of the District. He said that he didn't think it was beautiful, that although the women might be beautiful, what they were doing was not. His response gave me hope for men. I wondered about the women. What were the circumstances that caused them to become prostitutes? How many chose it as a way of life? The money is certainly good. How many were forced into prostitution due to human trafficking? It breaks my heart to see people selling themselves. I would hate for self worth to be determined by appearance and sexuality. As a Christian, I believe our worth is found in Christ. We are children of God, created by Him for His glory and that our lives should be lived in response to His grace, love and mercy and should honor Him. Christ paid the ultimate price so that we would never have to sell our lives. People, who are created as beautiful and unique individuals should never be for sale. Sex is personal, meant and created to be between a husband and wife to celebrate and honor their love for each other. I feel that the women behind the glass more resembled a zoo and that sex was reduced to fulfilling an animalistic need.