SA-TUR-DAY *clap* NIGHT...in Amsterdam

Just spent the night in Amsterdam, a city I have never had a fondness for but that once again drew me back to guide yet another visiting Winnipegger through the debaucherous streets of the Red Light District.

Amsterdam is a city of irony and paradox. Where else would you find a Christian Youth Hostel in the throws of the most famous district of liberal (immoral?) philosophy in the world. And not only a Christian Youth Hostel but the XXX Christian Youth Hostel. Upon trying to take a photo of the sign advertising just this, was met by one said Christian Youth who emerged from his Den of Moral Refuge (XXX) to verbally accost my soul for "defaming the name of God". And His hostel. The Youth then proceeded to throw a pack of rolling papers at me.

And where else would you find a Prostitute Information Centre in the shadow of the oldest church in the city, half way between the vagrant shooting heroin on the street and a fruit and vegetable market? Even the diamonds are loose and mounted in the Red Light District.

The RLD is a strange spot. Sex shops beside kebab stands beside "coffee shops" beside pizza take-out beside prostitutes beside churches beside dealers amidst the absolute freedom to purchase pleasure in all its forms, some you have yet to image exist (and that challenge one to re-evaluate what might fall under the category of enjoyable....). But this is but one area of the city and tonight I even managed to enjoy it, as did my companion I believe. This opinion could have been arrived upon, however, after a foray into The Bulldog Cafe to get some "special space" hot chocolate. Can't remember. Don't care either, hehehehe.

That's okay. According to the chap at the XXX Christian Youth Hostel I will be saved.

Until we meet again...