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After the onsets of one of Amsterdam's famous cafe visits are well underway, its time to carouse down to where the lights are red, the minds are open, and the term 'window shopping' takes on a brand new meaning.
Now the thing to remember about the red light district is that while it is highly sexualized, it is not highly gratuitous. You won't see anything on these streets that you couldn't see in a Victoria Secret magazine, though that rule gets a bit shadier the deeper you head down the back streets.
Prepare to see men bartering for a better price, giggling couples pointing and staring, drug dealers trying to earn a quid (a simple no thanks should suffice), and women giving the wink behind their windows. The place is clean, safe and highly regulated. Don't be afraid, keep the photos to a minimum, and just go for the experience and you'll be fine.
Some of the funnier events that deserve a mention are: a football team of young guys bartering for a group special, accidentally walking the streets of the 'other red light district' - commonly known as the purple light district (not for the faint hearted), a working girl throwing a toy at a leaving customer, and getting hit up for i.d. after ordering a coffee........
Country - Netherlands
Cost - 50 euros and up
Links - amsterdam info
I was sauntering through the streets one day looking for the Moulin Rouge, when I stumbled upon a suspious crowd. Being one for adventure, I headed over to see what was happening. To my delight it was some sort of primitive street gambling.
Being cautious I watched the game a few times, and after deciding that my brain chemicals were clearly superior to my obviously inferior opponent, I threw down 20 euros in elated anticipation of doubling my money.
Before we get to the part where I lost my money, I want to share with you the poetic accuracy of the scam that I faced. After watching about 10 games of this, and witnessing other people easily win or lose money......... my moment arrived. One of the co conspirators (that status was hidden from me at the time on account of skills normally held by the world's greatest Thespians) turned over the correct cup while the dealer looked away, revealing the pea. As she looked into her purse to get the money, the dealer then swapped the cup without her (apparent) knowledge and she lost her money. Now here I am, getting all my practice games correct, I had just seen the pea under the cup, and I had seen said cup moved only once. I figured this was going to be my best chance......... there were only 2 cups left, and I KNEW which one it was under.
The next second I experienced a large spectrum of emotions. First was shock. Shock because it wasn't there. Befuddlement followed, how couldn't it be there. Then came realisation. I realised I had been had, and I kinda respected them for pulling off such an obvious scam in such a convincing way. That was all in the first second.
'Get out of there before you loose more money" was the main thought that carried my feet a few steps before the next emotion kicked in - anger. I got pissed cause not only did I realise that it was a scam, but I realised they had used my own arrogance against me.
Needless to say that when I turned around the whole group had vanished; even the senile old gent that kept loosing his money, which was rather odd. I mean, he can't run can he.
Country - Most big cities
Cost - 20-1000 dollars, depending on the penchant for gambling
Links - wiki
