![](http://sidranne-painter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Red_District_20x20-1024x1024.jpg)
Oil on cardboard – 8 x 8 inch – Unique work
Many cities, if not every city, has a district dedicated to activities reserved for adults. Amsterdam is no exception to the rule.
When I went there with my daughter, we decided to go after dark to get the most of the “Red Light” side. First I had to find the way and fortunately I wasn’t alone, I would keep looking …. We didn’t know exactly which streets were part of it but we were heading in the direction. To give you an idea when you have the grand central station at your back, it’s on the left!
Here we are, it’s 6 p.m., night falls relatively early in April. As we go towards, there are more pedestrians. And when we finally reach our first red lights, the crowd is so dense that we can barely move forward.
The two main streets concerned are separated by a canal, crossed by small bridges at regular intervals. I’m not going to describe exactly what you see, just that the houses are still pretty and picturesque. And also the red and pink lights of the little cabins are soft and give life to the neighborhood, obviously. And the most important to me, the workers are both warm and safe. Which is not at all the case in France!
We walk the street in one direction, cross it, then walk it in the other. But all these people pushing us around are harsh. But the most unbearable thing is the despicable behavior of the tourists who openly mock, with infinite rudeness and vulgarity. They don’t seem to be aware that the people behind the windows are working for food.
Despite everything, I take a few photos which will become, as it is the case here, a painting which discreetly illustrates the Red Light District without naming it.
To put an end to our
visit, we gradually move away from this non-respectful tourist fauna
to our greatest joy. I forgot to mention that it was a Saturday
evening. So yes, it may explain the crowd.
It is still a place
to see once in your life when you visit Amsterdam and preferably at
night.
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