1) Brilliantly written, as always. 2) Fascinating that you worked in Amsterdam. I visited in December 1993 and 1994, during my University years, to attend the International Documentary Film Festival (I was one of the saddos who actually went for the films, rather than the drugs). At one point we did walk along the Red Light District, and saw quite a few men furtively departing. I daresay it did stay with them for the rest of their lives, exactly as you say.