MDATS Day 7: Amsterdam
My Journey: Sex, Drugs, and Food?
11/11/2024 Amsterdam
The bus from port dropped me off right at the train station in downtown Amsterdam.
I was here early for check in but I headed to the hotel to check my bags.
Me
I took my time to take some pictures and it was not too long before arrived at CC Hotel. I love how easy it is to get around in all these places from London, York, to Amsterdam on foot.
With my bags checked in, off to work on my check list. Which is: food, then gummie, then exploration. I was definitely starving at this point. There was a lot to take in too. It rained off and on all morning, and for a moment I was able to see a rainbow over Basilica of Saint Nicholas.
What you are not going to see, is the occupied windows with the exception of those for tourist to pose in. You are not suppose to take pictures of the Sex Workers and many of the business do not want you to take pictures inside as well. Most the windows at this time of day were not occupied.
Erotic Museum
My first museum was the Erotic Museum, a multi story cavalcade to nudes, dicks, and other erotica.
Amoung all the stuff on display, there was quite a collection of glass objects.
I went from one museum right to the other.
Window Dressing :)
My second Museum was the Red Light Secrets. It is an inside look into the life and world of sex work in Amsterdam. The museum is set up like a house of prostitution from the security desk, to the windows, right down to the rooms. Throughout the museum you are told about world of sex workers from the works, clients, and managers in first person accounts. There is a moment for you to pose in the window and be seen from the streets and a confessional at the end. The most interesting part is the stuff left behind by clients and the most moving part is the memorial to sex workers. A sobering reminder of the dangers of Sex Work.
Every thing I visited was right around the Oude Kerk. I walked by the church constantly all day and night. There so much to see tin the Red Light District. I guess to see and do….
Oude Kerk Amsterdam
I walked around a bit to be come familiar with the area. I counted out the gay bars, Dirty Dicks and Eagle were super close to the hotel but the Eagle was closed today. I also did some window shopping and picked up some special supplies to help relax and found a condom store to explore.
With my special supplies acquired it was time to have a bit to eat before partaking.
I had a late lunch and then it was time to check into the hotel.
From the hotel it was just a short walk away to get to the boat tours. My next stop was the boat tour of the canal. I did not have my GPS on so some of the locations are not tagged.
My 3rd museum was the Sexmuseum. This one had a simulated red light district which was fun and a very enjoyable collection of erotica.
From Rome to England, I had been wanting to see a sculpture of a trans person I finely found one here.
Trans Art
The sexmuseum had a collection of erotic glass that was another pleasent surprise.
All this walking was making me hungry, so I stopped and got some churros.
I took my desert and headed back to the hotel to enjoy it and get off my feet for a bit.
View
After a short rest in my room I was back on the streets for some window shopping and to look for some dinner.
There are many life rings stationed along the canals and the occasional sign reminding people to not pee in the canal. All in all though, the city scape was so nice and it was super easy to navigate without the use of GPS, unlike Venice. I so love this city.
Basilica of Saint Nicholas from Oude Kerk
I spent much of the night looking for a restaurant, I settled on an Argentinian stake house. I was not disappointed. They bring the stake out on a grill for you to finish. I enjoyed the meal and the time off my feet and they even charged my phone for me.
I saw these sex themed waffles, so you know I had to get one. The one I got was definitely loaded with “cream”. My honest review is that the waffle was dry and I did not come close to finishing it. It was so messy that I could not even get a good selfie.
I came here for the night life. There was only one gay bar open that met my needs. I spent a good bit time at DD where there was a bar, a dungeon, and an upstairs dark room. It was not a busy night so I stopped by multiple time between windows shopping and people watching.
DD
I spent much of the night enjoying the city streets and the gay bar. And as bed time neared I wanted one more snack.
As the night came to an end for me, I headed back to my room to enjoy the view and fall asleep. When I planned my trip I had worried that the city would have a frat house feel but it was not at all like that. I would love to come back. The food was great, the city is lovely, and even on a slow night there a lot to see and do. I’m glad I chose to come to Amsterdam.
My View
Tips and Lessons Learned:
Turn GPS Location on For Pics.
The Museums are Fun
Take a Boat Tour
Enjoy the Food
Hotel CC is a Winner
