Ok Ok Ok...I know you want to know! Yes! Second hand marihuana smoke is everywhere! It's odd to see people toking openly on the street and odder still to see tourist my age or older taking selfies outside the "coffee shops" where they scored their first ever legal weed! There is something in congruent with the photo. Like there ought to be a flashback photo of this pot head now grandma similar to the TV show Cold Case. Today she's wearing polyester travel wear,sunscreen and a big ugly hat but hey, hey , hey back in the day it was peasant shirts, jean skirts and an occasional moon out the window as she passed friends in her 67 mustang... "I'm gonna sit around the shanty momma and get a good buzzzzzzz on" Personally ...I'm not a weed girl...never have been. Having struggled with my weight all my life...who needs the munchies? I did not inhale... The Red Light district is fun. I mean it's so naughty. My internal dialog as I pass women bearing it all in the mysteriously lit windows goes like this... "Don't look, don't look oh God ...I gotta look"...and sometimes it's "wait wait...I've got to see that again" as I back up and sheepishly take another glance.. .I think I may have even waved...(Ugh) So I find myself caught between fascination and outrage when I see these people (there are men in the windows too) nearly naked inviting the curious in for a ride. This Jewish Catholic mother of many, wants to throw a blanket over them, make them soup and get them a job in a book store. But on the other hand, this 57 year old citizen of the planet just wants to take them to coffee, once they are dressed, and interview them! I want to know their business plan, where do they see themselves in 10 years? How's their health plan? Are they saving any money? I know, crazy right!!!! Today I saw a woman fully tattooed. She had to be 22 or 25 max and she had some pretty great ink...I called Mark back to the window.."you've gotta see this".. He seems to do the" head down do not look up For any reason" walk down these side streets. As if he cannot get thru this section fast enough. When I invited him back he looked at me with astonishment turned and kept walking...I think that's when I waved to the "girl with the Van Gough tattoos"... Hey...I like a girl who takes her work seriously...albeit a little sacrilegiously. I think Mark was embarrassed for both of us. I guess most wives don't call their husbands back to ogle naked girls in the windows who resemble their daughters age... What was I thinking? It was about the Art ...honestly... #shame #guilt #fascinated As for toys...Erotica is an Olympic event. If you are in need of anything edible, vibrating or leather-esque...you will find it here...There are more than 50 Shades of Grey in Amsterdam! So what If your luggage gets ️checked at the air port? Have you thought about this? I am thinking this is when you may have wished you had a toke of the strong weed before you take your walk of shame from customs to your gate. I can see it now. Uniformed men in there 20's with latex gloves will be fondling displaying and admonishing travelors for the size, color and make of their chosen Amsterdam take away... Yeah...this will not be my worry! You see, I've thought this through ... I did not inhale the 2nd hand reefer. I did not adopt the tattooed girl in the window, even tho that is my first natural response. I have opted for a wooden shoe key chain and a bandana with the map of the Netherlands as my souvenirs... Such a bore... Sorry to disappoint!
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Americans take for granted the youth of our Country. It's just not something that confronts us everyday. In Amsterdam there are buildings sporting the year of their build with pride ...and often in gold leaf...1613.. There are many stories to be told! What a kind and trusting citizenry. Their rich heritage. The sad history and yet their perciverence. I could recount what I've learned about the Dutch resistance, Anne Franks and many others hiding techniques or how one young couple saved hundreds of Jewish orphans ... I could tell you about tulip bulbs and the Stock Market, canals as a transportation infrastructure or where to get the best Dutch waffles...but you know Wikipedia has already written all about these topics...it would be redundant. I want to tell you of the sweet kindnesses we've experienced. I want to tell you of the man who picked us up in his black Mercedes and Armani suit at the Airport when we were "dead dog tired"... How he shared his knowledge about the buildings history, Kings Day and where to get the best Dutch waffle. He was kind. I need you to know Rich the reception desk guy who appears to be in transition. He clearly knows it so when I catch my tired self staring he smiles a "rocky horror smile" and says "Pretty great isn't it?" There is something unfair about a guy becoming a girl at my age and wearing it better? I mean. Gravity? Menapause? All things "Rikki" gets to bypass...damn... And for the record...really nice guy...girl...I mean...killer smile. Oh and then there's George. George is Latin. He's dark and lovely in his Ibis apron as he moves about the breakfast room. Do not ask George about more tea cups or how to use the toaster. Trust me! If you think that he is there to be helpful he will (in broken English or French) tell you how it is not his job to be helpful! He is merely there to wipe tables. George is cranky. It's how he moves about the country. On some level it must be working for him...but I know I'm going out on a limb...but I'm thinking hospitality and George are not a fit. Many of you know my friend Moira lives here. She's embraced this country, it's people and the language. She's a bicycle riding, second and third floor walk up ex-patriot! I've never seen her happier! I think all this pedaling about reduces the stress of the population on a global level! Endorphins are abundantly being encouraged and sometimes legally suppressed in Amsterdam. Today I saw an orchestra pedal by with instruments attached to their backs...6-7 musicians! I thought to them, they are merely riding to work... To me...seeing a cello, french horn, violin, trumpet and more instrument cases slung over the backs of humans smaller than their instruments was awesome... We put so much in our way. Not these musicians...just jump on the bike, strap on the instrument, tie up the tux leg closest to the chain...and it's just another night at the symphony! What gets in your way? Oh...and we had some fun at Moira's favorite Chinese restaurant.. Tomorrow I may tell you of the "fails" on this trip...but tonight...the wins are way ahead of the fails... I want to live here... |
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