Not what you thought, is it?

I haven't looked in on the Dutch lately .... let's see what they are up to.

Well, turning to the right some more I see. Here is why. When I say Amsterdam, most of you think of this perhaps,







Well the reality looks more like the right .... which is why ....

A sex worker, at right, takes a puff from a cigar in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. Amsterdam unveiled plans Saturday to close up to half of the famed brothels and marijuana cafes in its ancient city center as part of a major cleanup operation. The city says it wants to drive organized crime out of the district, and is targeting businesses that "generate criminality," including prostitution, gambling parlors, "smart shops" that sell herbal treatments, head shops and "coffee shops" where marijuana is sold openly. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

As with most things in life - you correct back to the norm. Sure, the Dutch norm is a bit different, but this is very good news. Amsterdam is a great city ... but .... and it is that "but" that the Dutch look like they want to fix.

I need to get back to the continent when this deployment thingy is over, and revisit Amsterdam. Maybe get my picture taken next to this landmark.