That's Dam Square which lies in the historical center of Amsterdam
On the west end of the square is the neoclassical Royal Palace, which served as the city hall from 1655 until its conversion to a royal residence in 1808.
Beside it are the 15th-century Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
The National Monument, a white stone pillar designed by J.J.P. Oud and erected in 1956 to memorialize the victims of World War II, dominates the opposite side of the square.
Unfortunately since it is late evening we wont be able to visit all Amsterdam's main attractions, like its its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, but a short distance beyond the northeast corner of Dam Square lies the main red-light district, de
Wallen.....
De Wallen is the largest and best-known red-light district, located in the heart of the oldest part of Amsterdam, covering several blocks south of the church Oude Kerk.
It is a network of alleys containing approximately three hundred tiny one-room cabins rented by female prostitutes (and some ladyboys) who offer their services from behind a window or glass door, typically illuminated with red lights.
This is literally "window shopping"...and it starts at lunch time to catch the lunch time rush!
If the curtains are drawn, then it means that they are "busy" inside!
The area also has a number of sex shops, sex theatres, peep shows, a sex museum, a cannabis museum, and a number of coffee shops that sell marijuana!!
There is "Belle", a statue honouring the prostitutes of the world in Oudekerksplein!!!
The plaque on this statue reads (in English): "Respect sex workers all over the world" - the first and only such monument in the world!!
Despite the pimps and drug pedlars, it was actually very safe to walk around since there ae police patrolling the area at all times........
Durban Time
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