The Mysteries of Amsterdam

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Dear, Dear Darling,

Europa! was wandering along the "Spuiistraat" today and got to thinking about some of the ironies and mysteries of Amsterdam.

For instance, what is a "gay map of Amsterdam"? There was one on sale in the window of a sex-shop. But you would think that the streets and attractions are the same for everyone. Luckily, Europa! investigated this mystery for you...

A normal map has all the streets and attractions, and to help you find them, there is a little arrow or dot which says, "You are here." On a gay map, there are all the streets and attractions, and to help you find yourself, a little arrow or dot which says, "You are gay."

*wink*

Also, Europa! had time to wonder about the name we have for the people of Amsterdam, or "Amsterdammers". Amsterdam, as you know, is a very liberal place, in terms of civil liberties. It is accepted that if one does no harm to others or to oneself, then one is free to do as they wish. This attitude towards individual freedoms is evident in the relatively permissive laws governing cannabis use and prostitution. In contrast, American society, which claims to be freedom-loving, does not permit these things, so soft drug users are jailed and prostitutes are exploited by pimps. In Amsterdam, the kind of forced prostitution so common in the States is thoroughly illegal and condemned.

So, Europa! asks: Have you noticed that the people we call "Amsterdammers" actually refuse to damn you? And that by the same token, we should call Americans "Ameri-can'ts".

Europa! is very deep, no?

Kisses from Amsterdam, darling,

Ciao! 8-D
Europa!