Hands up who loves Amsterdam?

[Aiptasia]

I've been to Europe about six times now and this past summer I got to spend three weeks in The Netherlands and the U.K..

It felt soo good to unwind and relax, and get out of the city center (Amsterdam & London) some.

:smoke:

[Feathered Fish]

1. Rotterdam is great too n/t

[Aiptasia]

2. this past trip...

I was able to get over to the hague a little, and I biked all over the place around naarden and brooklyn. It's amazingly beautiful out in the countryside.

[Feathered Fish]

4. The Netherlands,

and Belgium are, IMO, some of the most beautiful places on earth. When I talk to people about trips to Europe I always recommend these countries because I find that France, Italy and Germany are just too much of a tourist destination. The cycling must have been wonderful!

[Aiptasia]

7. It was...

Even though it was Yellow Bike on the Damstraat, so I looked like a tourist biker but oh well.

The temperatures were unseasonably warm (28 celcius) and I tried to bike everywhere. The canal country homes and thatched roof homes out of the city center are simply stunning in the summertime.

[fluffernutter]

3. Amsterdam is amazing! isn't this glorious-

[amazona]

5. it's very beautiful

The lack of nature would get to me though and the constant sense of being crowded on narrow little stairs would get to me after awhile though. A nice place to visit.

[elehhhhna]

6. God i love it so...

Anne Frank Haus was the most moving experience...The Ziggy Marley Coffeeshop is pretty cool, too.

[Feathered Fish]

8. Heh,

Did you visit Starbuds?

[Aiptasia]

11. My favorite coffeeshops

Homegrown Fantasy (organic menu, wew-wew!)
Grey Area (too mobbed sometimes)
De Rookerij
Abraxis (near the royal palace)
The Greenhouse Effect (on warmoeesstraat)

[goodboy]

20. grey area

good menu, but no seating. Still, the yellow cab #5 and dubble bubble gum ruled!

Abraxis was nice, but the Dampkring was better...Have you been to Kadinzky?

[jonnyblitz]

43. double bubble DID rule! I didn't partake of the yellow cab #5

the morrocan hash was good at the grey area also.

[Aiptasia]

9. I got the stinkeye in the anne frank house

Because I didn't see the "No video taping" signs. I got chewed out on the ground floor where the mockup model of the rooms under glass is. I was so embarrassed/mad I decided to boycott the cafe and the gift shop, which is why they don't want you to tape anyway, so they can sell you the DVD.

Plus, i'd rather have hung out in Homegrown Fantasy. ;)

[goodboy]

19. Homegrown fantasy kicks ass.

[cavanaghjam]

10. I love Gouda

Does that count?

[darkstar]

12. I love the idea

which is to say I've never been. It just seems like my more my speed as far as Europe goes. Every time I see it in the movies, I can't get over the vibe it seems to send off.

[Aiptasia]

15. The dutch are very friendly

and if you pick up a few catch phrases, you can make your way fairly easily. It has its share of big city problems (street urchins, pickpockets) but i've never felt unsafe walking around alone, even at night.

The only hassles i've ever had in Europe from anybody were in touristy areas anyway, and since I live in a tourist town myself, I realize how idiot tourists can get on your nerves. So i'm willing to cut certain people some slack, like service industry workers.

Anyway, if you can cough up the money for a flight to Schiphol airport, and the 3.50 euros for a one way second class train ride to centraal station, by all means do it!

[leftofthedial]

13. yo!

the most civilized city on earth

[bikebloke]

14. Amsterdam's nice, but...

... you've got hop on a bike and roll out into the country side. When I was touring with a full load, I rode a road atop a tall dyke. I could look down on houses the the tree tops. You could almost imagine you're flying.

[Aiptasia]

16. I agree

they have the bike lanes everywhere, use them!

[goodboy]

18. "rode atop a tall dyke" That's funny...nt

[goodboy]

17. I WAS JUST THER E IN JULY!!! HANDS UP

I went to the sex museum, torture museum, marijuana museum, van gogh museum, rijksmuseum, and any coffeeshop I bumped into.

I was at the Dampkring, AK-47
Grey Area-Yellow Cab #5 (cannabis cup winner)
420--Creeper Haze, Hash brownie



Can't wait to go back.

[Aiptasia]

21. Hehe i've been to all of them

I was so impressed with the John Lennon art in the sex museum. The MJ museum is always a fun tourist spot on Ouijes Archterburgwaal but I like the basement garden at the Cannabis College a few doors down better. Did you see the John Ashcroft portrait on the glass in the Sensi Seeds growroom?

The rijksmuseum and the van gogh museums are "have to's..." on each trip, even though the front fascade is still under construction and the sidewalk is all torn up at the rijksmuseum.

The Hazes are my favorite variety of herb, too. I got to try NYC Diesel for the first time (so-so) but stuck mainly with Jack Herer and super silver haze.

[goodboy]

23. I saw the portrait

but through very, very foggy eyes. Rijksmuseum still had some scaffolding up when I was there. I stayed at the NH Museum Quarter hotel which was spitting distance from both Van Gogh and Rijks.

I agree the Cannabis College basement was better than the MM. I didn't know why everyone was raving about the NYC diesel...Kali Mist and AK-47 put that to shame, although I really couldn't move for a good 40 minutes after the AK. The Jack Herer is really some top shelf stuff.

One place I will never ever go to again is "Smokey" It's got a huge neon sign out front...stuff was too dry and overpriced, and way too many kids there for me. (I say that like I'm old, but i'm only 26)..but you know what I mean.

[Aiptasia]

24. I agree

A lot of the coffeeshops are so crap (grasshoppers, the bulldog, etc.) that all I want to do is find someplace that ISN'T kicking out techno music.

I found a great place to watch the canalbus boats on the top floor of a touristy place called Hill Street Blues on Warmoesstraat (pig street, behind the St. Nicholas Church). There's a huge picture window facing out right onto the canal and the damrak. The weed is so-so, but the drinks are cheap and it's a great place to park your hiney for a joint and watch the tourists walk/float by. Plus they played a more mellow set including some miles davis.

I'm 34 and if I can stay away from the bop-techno crowd, i'm much happier.

I also like to get baked and walk around the Artis museum and gardens. It's easier to get to than oosterpark and makes a great leisurely stroll.

[goodboy]

26. yep

It's funny that you mention the Oosterpark, because that's where we stayed the first night in Dam. The NH Tropen hotel is really nice, and it's just a 7 minute tram ride to Dam Square. I didn't think it was possible to feel at home in a country where you don't speak the language...but you can, and I guess if I ever had to leave this country, I'd probably move to Holland. I looked all over the place for Hill Street Blues! I probably should've waited to smoke until I found it./

[Aiptasia]

31. o.k., here's how to get to hill street blues...

I can get you there from four different directions. Hill Street Blues is right across the street from the greenhouse-effect coffeeshop/hotel (www.greenhouse-effect.nl), which is a kick ass little budget hotel in it's own right.

Anyway...

From Central Station:

Walk out the front of Central Station and take a left towards the St. Nicholas' church. There's a Golden Tulip (Barbizonder) I think on that same corner. Warmoesstraat intersects Prins Hinderskkrade (sp?) right there and it's about two blocks down on the right.

From the Damrak:

O.k., so you decided to follow the foot traffic of people walking down the Damrak towards dam square. No problem. When you see De Bijkenhoff on your left (all the shops and restaurants on your right) you'll see The Grasshopper #2 (the grasshopper with the steak restaurant upstairs). Just walk towards the grasshopper (left, just past the canal tour boats) and around the corner is Warmoesstraat. Hill Street blues will be 1/2 block on your left.

From Dam Square:

Stand on the cobblestones right in front of the royal palace and Niewekierk (new church). Madame Tusseaus will be on your right if your facing the WWII memorial, along with the diamond exchange and the palace hotel. Walk towards the WWII memorial and Warmoesstraat is on your right. Hill Street Blues will be four blocks on your left hand side.

From the RLD:

On Ouidjes Archterburgwaal, right in the center of that busy canal street filled with sex workers and fun spots like the penis fountain outside cassa rosso, is oudekierk (old church). There's a little round cobblestone sidewalk that circles oudekierk and a side street that will take you from Ouidjes Archeterburgwaal back towards Warmoesstraat. It'll plunk you out on a corner with Kokopelli (head shop) and a nasi-bami indian restaurant on the other side. You'll see hill street blues on your left about a block towards Dam square.

[goodboy]

33. lol...how the hell you manage to navigate and remember all that is

beyond me. Can I hire you as a tour guide on my next trip>?

[Aiptasia]

34. Sure thing!

I have this wierd innate sense of direction...

Amsterdam is a pretty confusing city, too, as so many of the canal streets look exactly the same. But, i've always found it fun to just wander around a new city on foot when I can to get my bearings.

I'd be happy to be a tour guide in Amsterdam. As long as it's a walking tour. Plus it helps if you've spent a lot of time there, like me.

[goodboy]

36. so when are you planning to return? I'm thinking June or July...eom

[Aiptasia]

40. Queen's day

May fifth, 2005.

It's like marti gras and new years all rolled into one. You've never seen a larger street party anywhere in the world. Everyone wears orange and takes to the streets and parties like a mad fiend. I'll be at the suissehotel next to the ABN AMRO bank on Dam square.

[jonnyblitz]

32. I shopped at the "grey area " quite often when i was there....

they recommended to me a good place to purchase "space cake". :thumbsup:

[Aiptasia]

35. Space cake and me...

Don't seem to get along. I've eaten several, and had wonderful hash milkshakes and even hash bon-bons from a few places. Eating trichromes/THC really doesn't do much for me. I prefer a nice joint.

Or a few dried pscilocybin liberty caps. I hate what mushrooms do to your stomach though. Bleah!

[goodboy]

37. crazy thing about space cake is...

nearly an hour later either you've forgotten you ate it, or are about to go back to the place you bought it and curse their name..and...



BAM!

[Aiptasia]

39. Hehehe

I really wish it affected me that way.. but for some reason it doesn't.

I did get to enjoy some fresh sun leaf salads this past trip. Yumm. Big pot leaves, spinach greens, grape tomatos, pine nuts and vinagrette dressing.

That cafe across from Sensi Seeds had them on the menu, the cafe that used to be sensi seeds coffeeshop until they stopped selling pot. Now im all hungry.

[goodboy]

42. mmmmmmmm....sun leaves....ahmm......(homer simpson style)

[Aiptasia]

48. I know...

a few cultivators here in the states too... and it's harvest time as we speak...

I'm thinking smoked almonds, sliced strawberries, purple cabbage, blueberries and emeril's apricot sesame dressing. I need to check up on the "clip n flip" party.

[goodboy]

53. ohio boys should have theirs done by now...

[jonnyblitz]

41. "cafe chocolata" is where i got my space cake and bon bons

the "shakes" at this place were actually hot chocolate with a bon bon dropped in.

as for the shrooms. I ate a whole container of them several times. One time i met some dutch friends to go to a gay bar and the other I just sat at my sisters house. I decided , after a whole container each time, that shrooms weren't my thing anymore.

[Aiptasia]

46. they tear up my stomach too much

aside from that, I love them. I've been to that cafe a few times, over near hotel baba. There's also a confectioners shop over on the damrak (can't remember the name) that has some good hand dipped chocolates. Better than the run-of-the-mill stuff at any Albert Heijyn.

[jonnyblitz]

49. one of my buddies worked at albert heijn down the street

from the Rembrandt museum also near that flea market( I forget the name of the flea market).

all the chocolate tore my stomach up..or did something.

[Aiptasia]

51. Near westermarkt?

Over in the old jewish section?

[jonnyblitz]

52. waterlooplein flea market

jodenbrestraat is where the albert heijns is located that i mentioned. I had to dig out my copy of "get lost, the cool guide to Amsterdam". I forget all the names...

[goodboy]

38. I only wish they had more seating area...did you see the cat?

I've never seen a more laid back feline in my life...wonder why?

[jonnyblitz]

44. I just would run in and out...

I didn't notice the cat. I never really sat inthe coffee shop's much except a place called "the coin" which was on the street with all the gay businesses, which was one street over from Damrak and the beginning of the red light district.

[China_cat]

22. Amsterdam's ok

but it reminds me too much of NYC. I prefer Den Haag for city and Friesland over all.

[MrScorpio]

25. I Love The Dutch so Much I Married a Dutch Girl

Now, that's Love!

[Aiptasia]

27. Gezzeligh!

[bicentennial_baby]

59. I'm a Dutch girl : )

well only a part, but it's the good part :evilgrin:

[FizzFuzz]

28. I'm gonna bookmark this thread becasue I want to go there someday!!

:D!!! :bounce:

[smirkymonkey]

54. Stay in Haarlem, just outside of Amsterdam

it's a 15 minute train ride and is like a smaller, quainter, less touristy version of Amesterdam. We stayed right on the main square in Haarlem and it was perfect, you get the best of both worlds by staying there and going into Amsterdam for the tourist attractions.

Brugge, Belgium is also a great destination - beautiful canals, architecture and all the charm of the Dutch towns and more. It was one of my favorite places in Europe.

[FizzFuzz]

55. :bigsmile:!!!

Hi smirkymonkey, good to see you!
Thanks--I don't know when we'll get there, but someday.... :D

:hi:

[smirkymonkey]

58. Thanks! Hello to you as well!

I have kind of been licking my wounds since the election, but I am slowly creeping back. :hi:

[FizzFuzz]

62. I understand. me too, I've been very depressed

alternating with scared as hell. Plus the grey cruddy weather. I just want to hibernate. I've been here but I haven't been feeling very constructive or proactive or anything lately.

:hi:

[jonnyblitz]

29. I spent several months there last year. my sister lived in

Amstelveen which is about 10 minutes or so from downtown on the number 5 train. Unfortunately her situation "changed" and her family moved back to the states sooner than expected. I had fun going out and met some cool people that I still correspond with. COMPLETE different attitude about "things" over there. I loved it.

[Robeson]

30. Count me in. I love it too!!

[Flammable Materials]

45. One way or another ... I'M MOVING TO THE NETHERLANDS.

Stay choon'd.

http://www.savingcitizendaryl.com

[Aiptasia]

47. I hope you have a job lined up already

It's pretty tough to get a legit work visa to live in The Netherlands. Immigration has been one of their social problems of late.

Even so, i'd love to live there for a few months or years.

[Tsiyu]

50. Funny you should ask

I was just reminiscing about that purty lil country.

The nice thing about Amsterdam vs. London is the night life. It's more like New York- never sleeping. They run you off like nannies in London before your tube turns into a pumpkin.

It's been a while. Do they still have kick-ass Indonesian food in Amsterdam? First place I ate curried goat. Yum!

[ruthg]

56. Hand is way up n/t

[TexasLady]

57. I had fun in Amsterdamage

got tore up, and want to share a quick story about it.

My ex and I were stationed in Germany, and went by train to Amsterdam.
We took along a friend, who went to the red light district. Ex and I walked around and tried out the um, basement 'coffee' shops. we were brought a tray to try stuff out with, plus the paraphanalia, and a menu. wow, a friggin menu of different kinds of 'stuff' on it.

Anyways, our friend shows up, we look for a place to sleep. find a cheap motel , and we are getting ready to hit the hay. my ex looks at us with this serious look on his face (hes alll messed up) and then JUMPS off the balcony while we are in the room! We were THREE STORIES UP! THe friend and I RUN to the balcony, and the little shit was on another balcony a few feet below, waving at us and laughing his ass off.

yup great place!

[McKenzie]

60. been there many times

easy to travel over from Scotland. There is (or maybe was, not been over for a few years) a nightclub called the "Milkweg" just off the west side of the Leidseplein. I think it was established inthe 1960's. You had to cross a drawbridge over a canal to get in but once in it was absolute Bohemian heaven. Once, I got talking to a Dutch guy in the club who was getting quietly stoned. He told me he was a social worker. Hmmm.

The red light district is between the east side of the Damrak and the Zeedijke at the north east end of the city. It's almost passe, if such a thing can be passe. (and no...I didn't buy anything...) There is (maybe was again) a hotel run by transvestives in Warmoerstraat. Sitting in the bar all these lovely ladies would sit next to you and being a callow youth I'd feel flattered. Until I noticed they had rather large hands!

Funny thing is, Amsterdam is very liberal but the Dutch are actually quite conservative with a small "c".

If you like architecture Amsterdam is well worth a visit. Some good art galleries too including a superb gallery of modern art.

[rndmprsn]

61. artist is residence program...

im going this spring for a three-months artist in residence program...funded by the dutch govt.

when you don't spend +400 billion on a military machine you can actually do things like this...and actually every time ive been to holland...6 times has been on dutch govt grants.

peace

[Dzimbowicz]

63. I've never been to Amsterdam...

but I want to go.

I've spent a lot of time in Europe (Germany, Poland, Czech Rep., Austria, Switzerland, Liechstenstein, France, Spain and Norway).

I've heard so many positive things about this city, that I will go. When? No plans as of yet.