I'm quite a lazy person generally. It's just something I've come to accept about myself over time and now I'm pretty cool with that. One of the effects of this is that I don't blog very often. I message my friends or, shock horror, actually talk to them if I've got anything I want to say. So generally the only things that motivate me to muster the energy and effort to blog are extreme displeasure and irritation or crushing ennui. Usually this means I only blog when I'm hungover, however, today is different.
Today I had an absolutely wonderful day and that in itself has motivated me to write and share my lovely day with anyone who cares to read about it.
I spent the day on my own for roughly 5 hours wandering around Amsterdam in the sunshine - predominantly up and down the canals and over bridges in the red light district occasionally pausing for a drink and a sit. I've only been there once before and had a great time then too - but this time I just felt so at home. Normally when I'm shopping or travelling alone there is some point where I feel self-conscious, particularly in shops with pretty, slim shop assistants. I can honestly say that today is the first time that there was not a single moment where any thought like that even remotely crossed my mind. There is quite a lot of beautiful, slim (and some not so slim) flesh on show around there, but everyone I met was so friendly, smiling, helpful and complimentary that I was completely relaxed and felt fabulous all day.
I must just give a big shout out to one particular very funny, charming and helpful Dutch sex shop proprietor called Dimitri who I had a long conversation with. Very laid back - as you'd expect given that he was smoking a large spliff out the front of the shop (Red Rose) when I got there. I loved the shop sign, which is why I went over to it - glad I did. Had a great chat and I'm happy to have found a friendly, relaxed sex shop that doesn't feel sleazy at all (which is always my problem with places in Soho) and where I'd be happy to go with my partner and actually browse and ask questions and for demonstrations - on hands, it must be noted here! - without feeling rushed or like I needed to get out because there was a slightly uncomfortable feeling about staying there too long. I didn't feel uncomfortable as a woman going in on my own either - not at all. I will definitely be going back there at some point. If you're ever in Amsterdam, check the place out. It's on Oudezijds Achterburgwal, 129-A.
The upshot of all of this is that today was wonderful, and wonderful in a way that has left me smiling and relaxed and really looking forward to my next trip over there, which I will be organising very soon!
Just wanted to share. x
Busy, busy, busy.
15 years ago
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