Sint Olofssteeg

Picture taken in the Sint Olofssteeg, a sidestreet of the Zeedijk, in the oldest part of Amsterdam.

As you can see, this is a bike-path, although many people walk through the alley as well (often not knowing that they're actually on a bike-path, something Amsterdammers can get really pissed off about, especially since it's usually the tourists who make this fatal mistake). Clearly visible on the photo are the typical façades of the typical old-Dutch houses as they were built in the 17th century, with a beam and a hook at the top so that heavy packages could be hoisted up to the attick with a rope (this system is actually still being used). Do also pay attention to the sky, since even the sky in this picture is as Dutch as it can get.

Mother and child?

I can't really tell what this is. But it shows that it pays off to look above sometimes!

I assume this is part of an art project going on in the Red Light District (although I took the picture somewhat outside the district). To reduce the crime rate in the area, many brothels with insufficient documentary had to hand in their licence to the local government, leaving many of the windows empty behind which women would usually seduce men into their peeskamertjes (/ cribs). Instead of refilling them with what the District is famous for, young artists got to use the peeskamertjes as an art exhibition area.

Sint Antoniebreestraat

Picture taken in the St. Antoniebreestraat, in the east-side of the center.

Although the St. Antoniebreestraat definitely forms part of the old city of Amsterdam, you won't find many classical buildings in this street. Several decades ago the city council had the plan to destroy half of the old town to create a network of modern highways and metro-rails to ensure a better connection with the rest of the country. However, protest against the plans was so heavy that the council eventually cancelled the project. One of the first streets to be 'adapted' to the new plan was the St. Antoniebreestraat. Graffities and abundant colour-use on the façades do make the street look lively, though!