Dateline: Amsterdam
Many people, knowing my personal history, may be inclined to imagine that my visit to Amsterdam was motivated by some, er… burning desire. Far from it – I think that phase of my life is definitively over – over for some 18 years and counting, actually. Nevertheless, the little "coffeeshop" with it's heady aroma is ubiquitous in central Amsterdam, and the "psst, psst" from street vendors of various substances and services leaves me vaguely but not irremediably uncomfortable.
I'm back at Beursplein. I already have my tickets to Utrecht and will leave shortly. Apropos my visit to various restaurants and cafes (i.e. with respect to more conventional smoke): the Dutch show their progressive side, since, unlike most of Europe, they actually have posted "no smoking sections" in many public places. Nevertheless, they remain unrepentantly European – hence, they don't actually obey these "no smoking" directives. Kind of like Americans and speed limits, I suppose.
There's a little bouquet of flowers in a square little vase on this table that looks rather more like a salad than a flower arrangement. But it's nice I guess.