All the streets just look the same...

People often joke- myself included- that every big city in the world pretty much looks the same. Every street has a Starbucks, a Mc Donalds, a massive sign advertising Coke or Pepsi. As much as I joke about it, I still find it quite depressing when I am abroad and am confronted by these same shop fronts.

Above is a shot of a street in Amsterdam which pretty much sums up just what I've been talking about. Along the same road was a Starbucks, an H and M, a Gap. Quite sad really. One of the strangest things that I have seen whilst travelling was a massive Tesco on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Its bellowing blue, white and red sign just made me feel pretty miserable that the shop I refuse to buy from back home seems to be following me wherever I go.

Nearly that time of the year again...

Just when you think it's finally over- there's some nutter counting down til the next Christmas. What worries me more is that the clock has ticked down a few days since I took this picture.

Religious Lightenment

The first time I left the main station in Amsterdam it was dark and lit up next to the terminal was this sign watching over the city. A bit of a brash claim I think, speaking on behalf of someone else...

Sometimes...

Another Amsterdam graffiti find- this time in the form of a sticker. Not sure I agree with this sentiment- on the contrary I think the More you know the better...but I can understand how some people think the ignorance can be bliss-at least in the short term.

More Shutter Action

I included a picture a couple of months back of some shutters near St Paul's, commenting on how Dutch they looked. Now here is the real deal in all its glory. I saw loads on my visit but this one, being the largest building I saw them on, seemed like the most striking.

Sexxxy

Amsterdam isn't all about pink lit windows and scantily clad prostitutes. The stoic sign above stating 'no sex' is a reminder that the red light district is, generally, kept to its own specific area and that not every window is up for sale. The second sign made me laugh purely because of its lack of tact and humorous name. Whilst out in the evening in this part of the town (the red light district literally seconds round the corner) I noticed whole gangs of drunk blokes pissing on pretty much anything that didn't move. Quite gross really. It seems a sign for the local 'urinoir' is probably quite relevant round these parts.

Marker Pen Politics

I love a bit of political graffitti, and I always find it interesting seeing stuff abroad as I think it tells you a lot about what the locals view on current affairs is. This scrawl caught my eye as I walked past an old boarded up entrance. Amsterdam, being part of the Euro, doesn't seem to be keen on the flailing strength of their economy. The pounds not great either folks. Chin up- we're all in the shit together.

Whiskys Galore

Inside an amazingly well stocked whisky shop in Amsterdam, these low beams are lined with this interesting selection of miniatures. A striking view.

Amsterdam Metro

Happy New Year!! and all that... Hope it's been a good one. Mine was particularly good which is unusual (new year is inevitably very disappointing) as I spent it with my boyfriend in Amsterdam. I only got back yesterday and so there is due to be a flurry of holiday snaps. These first two are from inside the first metro carriage I got on on the way to the hotel. Each metro is decorated with a different design and, whilst a bit bizarre, are pretty cool.