Peep Show

A short story about Amsterdam.  I may as well confess.  We did not venture into the Sex Museum, apparently forgoing the opportunity to have our photo taken with a giant penis.  (And hello to Kim!)

But on the Saturday night, we enjoyed a wonderful meal in the square right near Amsterdam's famed RED LIGHT DISTRICT.  When it was dusk, and after several drinks, we took a stroll up and down a few of these famous narrow streets.  By this time there were crowds, not so much of "punters" but more tourists like us, just curious for a squiz.  I almost laughed out loud at one tour guide, holding aloft some coloured stick as they do, leading his group of couples older than us along.  (Suspect the girls won't get much business from this lot!)

I had heard the girls sit in windows, but it was often behind a glass door.  If anyone outside showed interest, they could edge open the door for a quiet chat.  If agreement was reached, thick curtains close across.  Many premises had a red lantern above.  I think the light on means "Next please" plus at the end of some of these narrow streets was a short metal pole with a series of red lights set right in the middle of the entrance.  Could these lights be wired to the lanterns, so one quick glance indicates, "golly,  five possibilities down this lane"?

I don't know if, as this is a premium tourist spot, there is some sort of screening, but all the girls we saw were really attractive, slender bodies (and there VERY brief bikinis proved that) and some showed possible silicon enhancement.  Mind you, I couldn't openly take a good long look.

There was one attractive blonde at the end though, whose upper torso seemed feminine, but the 'Reg Grundies' clearly indicated otherwise.  This was the only premises where we saw a customer - a man - emerge, and scuttle away around the corner.

It would take a brave, or maybe desperate, person to indicate interest, negotiate and then walk into the room, with the continuous horde of onlookers (like us) moving past.  Maybe their peak times are
when we tourists have toddled off to bed and customers have gained more liquid courage.

Still, it was an interesting experience.  I admire that this most ancient of occupations is so well
organised and accessible. Not something you should miss seeing when in Amsterdam.