Chapter 7 "Amsterdam"
Well, well, well . . . where to begin. Amsterdam is certainly a city that exceeds its expectations. You can see the numerous canals on a bike during a hot summer day, endulge yourself in some "brownies" and even take a wicked boat tour. For all those beer drinkers out there, take a 10 euro trip to the original Heineken brewery which is now turned into a museum. Duff man would certainly be proud. Not to mention, its all tourists that go, so you meet lots of people and they give you free beer.
On the other hand, there seems to be a hidden city slogan you´ll only know when you go . . . ."fucked in Amsterdam." The hidden motto of most tourists there, they go for the insane party. The red light district is conveniently marked off by, yep you guessed it, RED LIGHTS! Here you can find pizza, mushrooms, marijuana, shoes (got a pair myself, 10 euro!) and a girl who for 50 euro will let you inside her anyway you want, plus you´ll get a shower at the end of it too. It´s definately, from what I´ve seen, the sin city capital of the world. Though I´d love to hear stories of other ones. As for details on the red light district, wait till you hear the one about two Canadians, a Kiwi and an American . . .
First off, cafes. These aren´t places you get a coffee and bagel. Nope. Here´s where you´ll get your grass. Most cafes sell pre-rolled joints or by the gram. Don´t buy the pre-roll though cause it´s almost all tobacco and they´ll definately smell the tourist on ya. The blues brother cafe on Neuwendyk is by far the best and cheapest around the red light district. A gram will cost ya anywhere between 4 euro and 15.
Secondly, biking. EVERYONE bikes in Amsterdam. There are more bikes then there are cars. They have even a sort of parking garage but just for bikes. I love how the culture and downtown is built from such an affordable and environmentally friendly machine. These aren´t flashy full suspension monsters. Mostly they are 1 gear wizard-of-oz type bikes. Killer rides though. Definately a must if you want to see a lot of the city or if you don´t have much time to get around. You can rent them for very cheap almost anywhere. Plus if your tired, just stop in to a cafe for a coffee and bagel.
Lastly the people. Very friendly and almost anyone speaks English. Such a good welcoming atmosphere, even with the people in the red light district asking you every five minutes if you want to buy some coke or "charlie." At least they don´t bug you when you say no. I wonder if its so welcoming because everyone is stoned. I watched a Nederlands V. Cote DÍvoire world cup football match there, and they had no problem letting me in on the party amoungst the cheers of "Hup Holland, Hup Holland!"
Overall, Amsterdam is an amazing city. Whether its to warm up to a beautiful, historical culture or to get your mind completely messed, you can achieve either, probably in the same day.
Well, well, well . . . where to begin. Amsterdam is certainly a city that exceeds its expectations. You can see the numerous canals on a bike during a hot summer day, endulge yourself in some "brownies" and even take a wicked boat tour. For all those beer drinkers out there, take a 10 euro trip to the original Heineken brewery which is now turned into a museum. Duff man would certainly be proud. Not to mention, its all tourists that go, so you meet lots of people and they give you free beer.
On the other hand, there seems to be a hidden city slogan you´ll only know when you go . . . ."fucked in Amsterdam." The hidden motto of most tourists there, they go for the insane party. The red light district is conveniently marked off by, yep you guessed it, RED LIGHTS! Here you can find pizza, mushrooms, marijuana, shoes (got a pair myself, 10 euro!) and a girl who for 50 euro will let you inside her anyway you want, plus you´ll get a shower at the end of it too. It´s definately, from what I´ve seen, the sin city capital of the world. Though I´d love to hear stories of other ones. As for details on the red light district, wait till you hear the one about two Canadians, a Kiwi and an American . . .
First off, cafes. These aren´t places you get a coffee and bagel. Nope. Here´s where you´ll get your grass. Most cafes sell pre-rolled joints or by the gram. Don´t buy the pre-roll though cause it´s almost all tobacco and they´ll definately smell the tourist on ya. The blues brother cafe on Neuwendyk is by far the best and cheapest around the red light district. A gram will cost ya anywhere between 4 euro and 15.
Secondly, biking. EVERYONE bikes in Amsterdam. There are more bikes then there are cars. They have even a sort of parking garage but just for bikes. I love how the culture and downtown is built from such an affordable and environmentally friendly machine. These aren´t flashy full suspension monsters. Mostly they are 1 gear wizard-of-oz type bikes. Killer rides though. Definately a must if you want to see a lot of the city or if you don´t have much time to get around. You can rent them for very cheap almost anywhere. Plus if your tired, just stop in to a cafe for a coffee and bagel.
Lastly the people. Very friendly and almost anyone speaks English. Such a good welcoming atmosphere, even with the people in the red light district asking you every five minutes if you want to buy some coke or "charlie." At least they don´t bug you when you say no. I wonder if its so welcoming because everyone is stoned. I watched a Nederlands V. Cote DÍvoire world cup football match there, and they had no problem letting me in on the party amoungst the cheers of "Hup Holland, Hup Holland!"
Overall, Amsterdam is an amazing city. Whether its to warm up to a beautiful, historical culture or to get your mind completely messed, you can achieve either, probably in the same day.
posted by Marsha B | 5:04 PM
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