So I'm leaving for Amsterdam on Monday.

[MooPie]

Any suggestions/helpful hints?

[miss_kitty]

1. Smoke some stuff for me!

:evilgrin: :smoke: :evilgrin:

[MooPie]

2. And nibble some space cake too!

Just to see what it's like.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. It's a fairly small city.

You can easily walk through the very interesting red light district. You also might be able to score some hash in Dam Square.

[iamjoy]

4. The Red Light District....

it is fascinating to see (window shop) even if you have no intent of buying.

Oh, and Indonesian food.
The Anne Frank museum.
The Rijksmuseum

[MooPie]

8. Rumor has it that the Rijksmuseum is under renovation.

Hopefully the major exhibits will still be accessible.

[jonnyblitz]

13. Last time i was there it was. It might even be closed but I am not

sure. MY sister who lived there at the time (she moved back this fall) claims it was but I never checked. It's near the Van Gogh musuem so you can always ask if you are in that area...

[maveric]

5. Pick me up some hash.

A friend of mine went there 30 years ago. Bought some fine black speckled hash, stuffed it in a big cheese wheel and mailed it back to his place from Amsterdam.
I was at his house when the UPS truck arrived.
So smooth and fine. The cheese was great too.

[Jesus H. Christ]

6. Keep an eye on your bike.

nt

[MooPie]

10. Won't it be too cold to bike ride?

I did read about people stealing bikes, and then you just steal one to get to where you're going and it gets stolen from there. Any truth to this?

[Jesus H. Christ]

12. Doesn't look like it.

http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/06240.html

That would be one way to get around, just don't get caught.

[da_chimperor]

27. Ehhh, it's not exactly like that

It's more like if someone steals your bike, than you steal someone else's. This only really applies in the major cities. I've got friends who go though a new bike every month. I, on the other hand, have watched out for my bike and have had it for a long time.

[MooPie]

29. Do we really need a bike to get around?

From what I've read, we can take the trolley to most places or walk.

[da_chimperor]

31. Having a bike handy, but not necessary

The trolley is great, and goes just about everywhere. With that and walking you can get everywhere you need to.

[goodboy]

7. go to the Dampkring, get some AK-47...sit down.

[sundog]

9. Can I stowaway in your suitcase?

:7

[MooPie]

11. Only if you can fit into a carry on!

n/t

[mcscajun]

14. A few suggestions...

Don't buy drugs on the street. There are 'quasi-legit' "coffee shops" everywhere...some good...some not so. One of the best is "Rusland"

across the Amstel (near to a number of University of Amsterdam buildings, naturally). It's the oldest such establishment in the city, very quiet, good beverages and munchies upstairs. Bring your own lighter and/or pipe for the hash. The Moroccan Gold was purely delightful.

:smoke: :smoke: :smoke:

Cafe Luxembourg

has a very old feel and ambiance -- and a communal table upfront with Dutch newspapers on a rail. Nice croquettes. If you take the #1, 2 & 5 tram you'll go right past it at Spui station...but don't blink...it's easily missed. A perfect example of the Dutch "brown cafe," where years of smoke have turned the walls brown.

The Pancake Bakery is a short walk away from the Anne Frank House, and has an incredible menu -- and Hot Chocolate with Rum and Whipped Cream -- OMG it's good.

Don't miss the Rijksmuseum; mostly closed for renovation, they've kept open one section in the rear containing Masterworks, including the Night Watch. Also worth the visit is the Van Gogh Museum nearby.

And if you're going to be there any length of time, get an Amsterdam Pass -- they come in 24 hour, 28 hour and 72 hour versions. Transport pass and discounts.

For further reference: http://www.amsterdam.nl

On edit: critically important -- wear comfortable yet sturdy shoes. The entire central city is cobblestoned. Sneakers just won't do.
And for an Indonesian rijsttafel: Sampurna @ SINGEL 498

[MooPie]

15. Thanks!

Especially about the shoes. Wonder how my Danskos will do.

[driver8]

16. Will you pick up a package for me?

It's not very big -- a small square wrapped in foil. It would easily fit in your carry on.

No need to look at what it is...just some special "tea" that I enjoy.

[MooPie]

20. Oooohhhh, herbal tea.

Yes, my favorite kind. So soothing, so relaxing, such tranquility abounds.

[MooPie]

30. The url was great.

Thanks.

[Flammable Materials]

17. Go See "Boom Chicago"!

On the Leidseplein. It's a bit pricey, but it's absolutely worth it!

http://www.boomchicago.nl/

[MooPie]

21. Excellent!

Thanks! We hadn't planned our New Years Eve yet, and this looks pretty good.

[Flammable Materials]

23. If you can find a phone number on there, I'd call and reserve now.

Because I'd honestly be surprised if it's not sold out already.

[democracyindanger]

18. As touristy as it is...

...don't forget to visit the Anne Frank house. You'll be amazed at how small the space they lived in actually was.

Cafe: Dutch Flowers. ;)

[MooPie]

22. Absolutely

It's on the top of our list. That and Rembrandt's house.

[Flammable Materials]

19. PS:

<napoleon_dynamite>LUCKY!</napoleon_dynamite>

[Donkeyboy75]

24. If you like the ganja, enjoy it while you can.

Word on the street is that they are banning foreigners from partaking in the near future.

[Robeson]

25. Its a great city! Have fun! And it has a great selection of....

...restaurants. Be sure to eat some Indonesian food while your there. The Dutch consider it their national cuisine...

[da_chimperor]

26. Okay, if you're going to smoke ANYTHING, make sure it's not pure

The dutch roll joints with quite a lot of tobacco in them, so that means you should too if you're going to smoke up. Quite a few varieties of weed over here have so much THC in them, you can see it crystallized all over the surface. I've lived in the country for over 2 and a half years now, so PM me if you'd like to know anything specific.

Edit: Oh yeah, and have fun! :hi:

[Kire]

28. Does Amsterdam have anything to offer besides hash bars?

I mean, what country is it even in?

[da_chimperor]

32. Amsterdam has tons to offer, there's always something going on.

It's the capital of the Netherlands.