Amsterdam – Street Scenes | Viking Cruise
by Elouise
Busy! Sensory overload! Unplanned chaos. Tourist magnet. Not for all the right reasons, I’m sorry to say. This post is just a taste of what kept us awake the afternoon we arrived in Amsterdam. Our guide kept us moving, and we did our best to keep up with him.
The top photo captures the reality of modernity (big bold red public buses), and of time-honored tradition (bikes — the subject of my last Amsterdam post). Pedestrians beware!
Here’s what we saw when we left the cruise ship with our trusty guide.
What do you notice?
I love the guys fishing on the pier
right in the middle of it all.
Our first landmark was a huge, modern transportation center.
I’m glad I didn’t have to figure out which way to go.
Note traffic lanes for various types of transportation
including pedestrians.
Here we’re in the belly of the building.
Note directional signs.
Sorry you can’t hear the sound effects. Think noise. Lots of it.
When we came out the other side,
we began our tour near the red light district.
Not a comforting sight.
Note the cathedral tower on the right side of the photo.
We’re looking at the back side of the district.
The next three photos give a better perspective —
without so many people in the way.
Notice the water level that’s steadily rising,
sagging architecture and uneven walls on many old buildings,
boats ready for nighttime cruises by windows
that showcase women for commercial sex,
and the cathedral tower in the background.
Here’s one last look at one of the buildings on the canal.
It’s visible in the first photo of the red light district.
You can see why it caught my eye.
Wednesday of this week, January 11, was
*International Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a day to raise awareness
and honor those who offer alternatives to
women, children and men exploited for commercial sex.
I couldn’t help thinking about these photos.
Here we are, moving on behind our trusty guide.
Do you like my backpack?
Don’t miss the clutter of bikes just to our right
and the bikers ahead of us on the sidewalk.
Being a pedestrian isn’t for sissies!
We’re headed to an area that draws hoards of tourists and shoppers.
Here’s a taste what’s coming in the next exciting installment.
To be continued….
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 12 January 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, Amsterdam, July 2016
*To find out more about human trafficking, click here.
Telling the Truth 
Lovely photos, Elouise, and I enjoyed your comments, esp, ‘here we are looking at the backside of the (red light district). Cute pun. 😉
I believe in mamyy cities in the Netherlands, cyclists have right of way over pedestrians. And can be quite bolshy about it too. Of course, they grow up with bikes, so are quite used to it, but I found it a bit un-nerving, never sure which pavement to be on, and with bikes whizzing past your ear all the time.
(I found Belgium more relaxed about that. The cyclists go more slowly and smile with lazy, charming courtesy if a dazed tourist wanders into their lane.) xxx
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You’re so right about bikers having priority over pedestrians. It felt quite unnerving at times–especially when they came flying out of nowhere! Or so it seemed to me…😮. As for the backside, I was wondering who might catch that! I caught it myself on my last read-through before going to bed. Smiled, and decided to leave it be. 😊
Elouise 💕💜
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I liked the backside comment too, had a chuckle, cool photos, have never been overseas before, looks like a lot of walking, no wonder bikes rule the roost there 🙂 bet Lucy got a work out 🙂
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Lucy had a picnic! I carried her the whole time….whew. Glad she’s a little ‘un. Of course that doesn’t count all the extra work I gave her (undoubtedly) while climbing every mountain to get to the castles! Glad you had a little chuckle there. So did I. 🙂
Elouise
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