STREET LEVEL

Originally a city of merchants, what seems to remain in Amsterdam is a culture of storefronts. As was pointed out to me on a recent visit there, many people living in Amsterdam make their homes street-level. In the 17th century flat glass was difficult to make and very expensive, so one can only assume the luxuriously large windows were afforded by trade wealth. Interestingly today these windows are not always covered, allowing one's life to be lived in the open, visible to any passerby. By extension, this openness could be what underpins the storefront prostitute -- women standing comfortably out of the elements yet still visible from the street. Photos: storefront houses built in the 17th century. I didn't intentionally try to include bikes in every photo btw, they're just everywhere.