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Post by jennifer on Aug 22, 2003 14:47:14 GMT -5
why so "Leave your camera behind"?
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Post by WillTravel on Aug 22, 2003 14:51:14 GMT -5
From what I've read, people in the red light district do not want their pictures taken, and can be physically forceful about this issue.
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Post by NFLqueen on Aug 22, 2003 15:09:05 GMT -5
I personally know 2 people that have had very expensive digital cameras taken and destroyed while trying to photograph the red light district at night .....from people you would not want to argue with.
It is HIGHLY frowned upon to take pictures in that area at night time. I'm not sure about the day but I personally avoided the situation.
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Post by jennifer on Aug 22, 2003 15:17:27 GMT -5
I see!
Pretty good to know about this!
xoxo
Thanks!
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wease81
Junior Travel Member
Posts: 1
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Post by wease81 on Sept 2, 2003 11:53:44 GMT -5
Hi
I'm a guy who did a solo backpacking trip this summer starting in Amsterdam. It is one of the most beautiful cities of the world. I did the Red Light dist. in the daytime and found it seedy but safe. I went back at night, and it was a different story. My internal alarms went off, and I am not a meek person. I just felt that this was not a good place to be, and put on my fast walk mode and got out of there.
wease81
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Post by LHR02 on Sept 2, 2003 15:21:57 GMT -5
Good to hear even guys depend on those darn 'antennaes' singing and having the good sense to do an about face when they start going off! ;D
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Post by me on Sept 2, 2003 16:38:45 GMT -5
unfortunatly, a beer or three renders those 'antennaes' virtually useless!
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Post by LHR02 on Sept 2, 2003 16:57:01 GMT -5
BWA-HA-HA-HA!!!
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Post by jennifer on Sept 3, 2003 15:47:22 GMT -5
hahaha! good one!
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Post by Stephen CT on Sept 4, 2003 12:14:03 GMT -5
I find it important to mention that the RLD is a completely different place at night. It is very pretty, especially with the bright lights and people. It would be unwise to check it out during the day. it appears much seedier and is quite empty, except for drug peddlars.
At the very least avoid a weekend morning. I had the injustice of having get up early one saturday to leave Amsterdam (staying in The Shelter YH in the RLD) and the litter and filth is disgusting! The canals in the RLD are full of beer cans and other rubbish, there is actually a disgusting smell of stale beer and marijuana.
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Maricat
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 52
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Post by Maricat on Sept 7, 2003 18:33:56 GMT -5
ICAM with all those who have said not to go into the RL at night, particularly two girls.
I was in Amsterdam last March with a male friend, and we went strolling through the RL at about midnight. Granted, it was off season, but I saw no tourists.. only lots of very scary looking people who looked at my friend and what felt like a predatory manner.
We felt very scared, and I am not usually one to feel scared easily.
The streets are dark and narrow and curving.. it is very easy to lose your way. We had a hard time finding our way back out.
If you are going during tourist season, you might have a different experience, but I would use caution, and make sure you keep track of the way out.
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Post by wrfire253 on Sept 17, 2003 12:12:26 GMT -5
Reading this post, I'd thought I'd share one experience I had with Amsterdam. Absolutely a beautiful city. I agree 100% with Ray on the canals. The RDL district is interesting to walk through just to see it once, but I wouldn't go there alone at night either.
I'm a male and was traveling solo at the time. I thought I'd take a shortcut through an alleyway after leaving the RDL in the day. Out of the cracks, a drugged shacky bum stepped in front of me asking for any spare change. Coming from the States it's a pretty common occurance, and I usually try to help out what I can. So, I handed him a few coins. He then put his coat in his pocket, pointed his finger at me and said he had a gun and to give him all my bills. My emotions started to take control and I was about to confront him, when he pulled out a used hypodermic needle with his other hand, thus proving his drug addiction. Seeing that was wake-up call. I quickly "hit the brakes" and gave him the few bills I had in my wallet. Thankfully I had a money belt separate with my travelling money and he just got a few bucks.
Anyhow, my advise is stay clear of alleyways that appear empty, even during the day, and keep your money in your moneybelt. Pretty common sense stuff that I failed to follow at the time. Also, in any case as this, keep control of your emotions and don't try any heroics.
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Post by Kim on Sept 17, 2003 12:19:30 GMT -5
Scary stuff!  That's a good reminder though for everyone - keep most of your money in your moneybelt and just leave yourself enough for the day in your wallet. That way if your wallet gets stolen, you aren't taking a big blow. |
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Post by NFLqueen on Sept 17, 2003 12:25:05 GMT -5
I must admit I did meet way too many people while travelling that did not use a money belt.......... and had wallets taken right out of thier pants or bags. 3 guys at my hostel in Paris were stuck there with no money because their wallets had been stolen right out of their FRONT pockets of thier pants. The first guy was almost hard to believe - but 2 similar situations later and yes it seems impossible but they didn't even notice someone taking it from there! beware - especially guys who think it can't happen to them  |
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Post by The Other Kim on Nov 4, 2003 12:34:58 GMT -5
I am also going to Amsterdam for a long weekend this summer (Thursday to Sunday). Any suggestions on where to stay? I have heard about The Flying Pig Downtown, but I think I remember that it is in the RL District-- would that be too unsafe?
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