More Netherlands, plus photos

My continued observations on my trip to the Netherlands, mostly the Amsterdam/den Haag/Delft/Haarlem region.

 

It is extremely picturesque. Absolutely charming, especially the "old towns" in each city.  

 

However, it is also very gratiffi-ed in public places, which I found ugly but apparently it is valued; maybe a Banksy thing?

 

It is a haven for LGBTQ folks.The Pride theme in June extends beyond June.

 

Weed is not everywhere, and not all Dutch are crazy about the reputation. The legalized prostitution is not everywhere; it is concentrated.Most people think it's rampant because they only go to Amsterdam, and there of course it is more common.

 

Consequently, don’t go in a "coffee shop" for coffee. Go to a café or restaurant. (Coffee shops were the ones allowed to sell weed. So the coffee shops became something else.)

 

As a nation they have agreed to certain restrictions on freedoms for the sake of harmony, safety net, and employee protections (through contracts, renewed every year. After three years it becomes permanent within certain conditions.)  

 

It is a very easy place to travel, which may be the reason it was so incredibly packed last week!

 

These photographs are from Delft. Delft is the home of Royal Delft porcelain (very hard to resist). It is also the birthplace and home of Vermeer, so one can walk the streets he did. Pretty cool.

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