BA-V: The LuvBong...Yikes! Back!

[spenny]

Thanks luvbong, I mean I have waited long enough and not to sound too ungrateful, I hope, I don't have to wait so long for 2013's annual luvfest.

[luvtick]

Day 8 / Thurs., November 22, 2012

Today is Thanksgiving in America. For the last 5 years in a row, instead of “celebrating” the Pilgrims in America, I’ve made a pilgrimage to Amsterdam to celebrate cannabis, although the last 4 years were also for love…  This morning is no different. Being together is so automatic now that we seem to embrace while still sleeping. (I wonder if we even part during the night…) The scent of our skin begins to penetrate the deep sleep I’m in and awakens my body before my consciousness. Bong senses my imminent arousal, both kinds, and makes his way to the bathroom returning with minty-fresh breath. No fair. Lol… though much appreciated… Sooner than later the deep sleep that was penetrated is not the only one who can say that… Thanks…Giving…

Barney’s is now the usual stop first thing in the morning. (Well…AFTER that…lol…) The general area where we park the scooter is once again utilized and while locking up the scooter, we can hear music blasting out of Barney’s…from across the street! As we descend the 3 steps, and even before, I can tell it’s AC/DC banging out “Hells Bells.” Ha! You don’t hear much of that in Amsterdam nowadays. Yay! We have our pick of tables once again since the place just opened. Having listened to this particular AC/DC album, cassette, CD and MP3s, I find myself instinctively beginning to sing the next song, “Shoot to Thrill.” The smile on my face widens as that song actually begins to play!

I unload my stuff, singing and boppin’ around, as Bong orders coffees and morning buds. Andy, Gino, Pittsburgh and New Bald Guy are here. As if on cue, our perfect lattes are delivered just as I finish breaking up our morning smoke. Today, we smoke Utopia Haze. The sweet, syrupy smell of cola wafts up into my nose. I quickly pick up the bud, bring it to my nose and inhale deeply. Mmmmm… the perfect haze smell. It’s apparent the entire “Back in Black” album is going to play and we stay for the entire album. More coffee and conversation are enjoyed and we even purchase more Utopia Haze, since I really like it. In fact, I quote myself, “Happy weed…makes-me-smile weed! ” As the album finishes, we are walking out the door nodding in agreement with Brian Johnson as he finishes telling us “Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.”

Like clockwork, our predictable path leads to Bluebird. This morning Kees is busy in his office, but comes out to say good morning and share a coffee. He’s amused when he reads Bong’s shirt: FUCK MILK…GOT POT? He’s particularly amused because Bong is standing there with a bong in one hand and a carton of milk in the other! When Kees has to get back to work, we scan the sparsely-populated-this-early coffeeshop and see Gas! He joins us at our table just as Hide and Tomoya are climbing the stairs. After making their purchase, they too join around the tables. Another person I note is “the Dutch kid that Debo tried to sit on yesterday.” I don’t remember that…lol…I’ll bet Debo has tried to sit on a LOT of Dutch kids…lol…in any case, he smokes with us! Bluebird is always a fun time.

When we finally leave, once again, we are predictable. Yep. Voyagers next. LOL… Matty and Omnibuzz are already inside aiding and abetting the cloud forming near the ceiling. Each person taking a seat joins in on the fun, whether within their own group, or with us. No matter, once inside, it’s a smoker’s community.

Lunch is eaten, I assume, though I don’t note it. In fact, I don’t note the entire afternoon! I have to rifle through my receipts to see what we did. The only 2 places from which I have a receipt are Baba Souvenir Shop and Dolphins. I am fairly sure some Mazar seeds are purchased, only because they are on the shopping list! Dutchmen’s Royal Orange seeds are also on the list, but I remember them not having them here. Plus the amount of the receipt suggests I do NOT buy 2 strains…
Having no other notes about the time in between, I’d have to say, hit the fast-forward button and mooooooooooooooooove on to this evening!

Careful now. Got your breath? Good. Let’s go.

This evening finds us down Overtoom. I want to go to the European version of my American work. Bong scoots me down there, snaps a couple pictures of me in front of the building and then heads up to Dolphins; I’ll probably be about an hour or so. When I get inside, it is very different than at home. The vibe is a little panicky for some reason. I purchase some of the local versions of what we have and don’t mention being an employee. Since it feels weird I leave; I decide to walk up to Dolphins and meet Bong.

As I approach the Leidseplein, Winterfest is in full swing. Booths are set up all over selling their seasonal goodies. I cannot resist the booth selling fresh apple beignets! I buy two and soon I’m off once again. A couple blocks up and I’m making the left turn onto Kerkstraat, climbing the steps and sliding the door shut at Dolphins. Sitting at the front table in the window is Bong. I was so quick that I arrived even before his coffee! I also order a coffee and purchase some haze. That’s all the receipt says, “haze.” Before long, we’re in a haze of our own and without any knowledge of how-we-get-there, find ourselves in an apartment.

Whose apartment?

Slo-White, Slo-Wife and Twichaldinho’s shared apartment!

In fact, the house is full! The hosts are all there along with Hide, Tomoya, MJ, Lion of Judah and Omnibuzz. I honestly have no memory of how we all hook up, but I put full blame on Voyagers! The night is filled with dabs. Slo-White has some AMAZING stuff of his own. Poor Slo-Wife has to step back often as she’s having allergy issues with the apartment. Suck. At least, she says, it’s better when she’s out and about! The evening finally comes to a close and we all part ways at the bottom of the stairs outside the apartment. Bong and I make our way to Voyagers.

There are no notes beyond that, but you can bet your sweet bippy we do what we do EVERY night…

Good night, all.

[USbongLord]

[talkrum]

Great travelogging - more please.

[soapy]

Thanks for another great instalment Luvtick.....I only ever read on a Sunday morning with a
Joint and a nice coffee.....

[jimi62471]

Awesome write up stoner chick!

[talkrum]

Sat here with my girls and missing my weekly fix of sex, drugs and all things Amsterdam

[talkrum]

Bump bump

[dude65]

Oops, and here I was hoping to find a new report.

[talkrum]

Bump bump

[luvtick]

Day 9 / Fri., November 23, 2012

Hazy, morning consciousness begins to clear as my sensory receptors are awakened. Electricity seems to move from one erect nipple to the next and the sleep-paralysis in my arms is cured. Instinctively, favors are returned and soon sleep is a distant memory. Sound fills the room yet words are few; satisfaction arrives in unison. As we lie in bed together, intertwined, catching our breath, it is obvious that the sharing of our two souls has created a voracious appetite. We both can’t help laughing when a loud gurgle!gurgle!gurlge! confirms that, loud and clear. It’s those mystery gurgles where we don’t know from whom they came…we’re both SURE it’s our own gurgle…lol…

Time to get ready for the day. Loud and clear.

While Bong checks in on the forum to see Who’s In Town today, I jump in the shower. Damn, I love the shower here in Room 2! As I climb out of the shower, Bong, who is sitting on the bed, watches me, saying things-lovers-tell-each-other. My heart melts all over again as he walks into the bathroom and “helps” me towel off. The cold November air makes itself known and my nakedness is quickly converted to clothed-ness. When all the getting-ready is completed on my side, Bong’s signature ginger braid is twisted. A final wrap of the hair tie and I’m laying the braid across Bong’s chest and simultaneously kissing him, signaling eminent departure.

Navigating the steep staircase is not even an issue anymore. With much confidence and not an ounce of anxiety, we descend into the outer world. Seems many are still enjoying their slumber, as the streets are quiet, interrupted only by the raucous leftovers from a night/morning of drinking…hangovers pending… My tummy is still grumbly so, much like a prince-with-a-stallion—except it’s actually a stoner-with-a-scooter—we quietly roll along towards Barney’s looking for a store that is open. A place is located and milk and bananas (!) are bought.

When we do arrive at Barney’s, Gino is waiting for us. He has hit up the corner bakery again. This time he has some raspberry-filled croissants. HOLY MOLY. Mmmmmmm…… Outrageously delicious! Lattes and hazes are orders and properly introduced into our brains and the morning begins as gloriously as a morning can. Being in Amsterdam is the icing-on-the-cake-with-a-cherry-on-top!

By now Bong and I have carved out a routine of sorts. Bluebird is open at 9:30, so we are sure to be there close to then. The familiar sights on the way are as comforting as holding onto Bong while sitting on the scooter. When my arms are wrapped around him, the buildings could crash down around us and I probably wouldn’t notice. When we see Nirvana Seeds on our right and All Star Genetics on the left, I know Bluebird is seconds away. I smell the bakery before we roll past it and immediately look across the way into Knuffles Toy Store, as I always do. Kid at heart.

Parking is a non-issue this early in the morning and in no time at all we are ascending the steps into the treetops of Bluebird. Kees is off today and Jesse is busy, but moving slowly. We say hello and order our coffee and morning herb. When Jesse makes his way back over to us, he explains how he is sick and he is actually going home. Wow. Getting sick during Cannabis Cup sucks! We drink our coffee and smoke some before heading up to Voyagers.

The city is awakening as there are more people strolling along the canal, more bicycles taking commuters to work, and several trucks stopped along the way unloading their wares. The booths at Nieuwmarkt are popping up as the fresh vegetables and sweet juices on display begin to color the brick-and-canvas backdrop. Bong’s favorite juice is spotted and we silently roll over and purchase a bottle. A quick kiss is planted on his cheek as I climb aboard the scooter for the last few meters ride to Coffeeshop Voyagers. Once there, we park the scooter and grab a table inside.

We enjoy each other’s company as well as the constant in and out of wake-and-bake stoners on their way home and otherwise. When Hide and Tomoya arrive, they tell us their plan is to go to Grey Area. Ha! (Bong’s favorite place…) Begrudgingly, Bong says we will go along, but we will NOT be going in! lol… Since we’re scooting and they are walking, we arrive before they do.

We are aghast at the line that is already formed outside and around the corner when a HUGE tourist group is herded up the steep brick bridge. As soon as the tour guide begins to talk, he casts the group’s attention to the Maltatuli statue and they all turn in unison much like a flock of birds. We recognize the language as Spanish then hear the guide say, “Grey Area Coffeeshop” and the flock flocks towards the sweet smell of cannabis, cameras clicking away. Bong is amused when the group flies away and the few stragglers contemplate standing in that long Grey Area line, ultimately rejoining their group without any cannabis. Bong and I window shop while the boys make their purchases. With grams of green and smiles on their faces, the boys exit the crowded coffeeshop and we invite them to Barney’s Farm. They decline as they have other plans so with hearty goodbyes, we agree to meet up later.

We walk back to the scooter, hand in hand, laughing about the stray tourists wanting to buy cannabis, but fearing they’d be left behind. Grateful that we don’t have to feel that way, we point the scooter towards Haarlemmerstraat. When we arrive at Barney’s Farm we are happy to see Paul is working behind the counter. He comes out from behind to properly greet us with hugs and handshakes. I mention how relaxed he appears and he just laughs and says it has been way less stress not being part of The Cup. We order coffees and a couple milkshakes. Bong picks a strain from our plethora of choices and walks up to the bar to ask for water to put in the bong. I break the bud into smokeable piles, finishing just as the beverages are being delivered. How fortunate! Stories are swapped, football scores are checked on the big screens and much herb is ignited. Paul’s shift is coming to an end and we depart so he can finish what he needs to finish. Hugs and handshakes are exchanged once again and moments later we are quietly rolling down the residential street behind The Farm towards Voyagers.

It’s quite apparent that everyone is hungry when we arrive. The talk of food is more prevalent than the talk of strains. Smooth Criminal is in his usual corner, quietly reading and puffing on his spliff. Kharrum and his friend, Luigi, show up and I pass out caramels to everyone. One face is not familiar but once you’re inside a coffeeshop, EVERYONE has friend potential. We all begin talking and immediately we hear his British accent. He’s in town for the IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam), which occurs at the same time as the Cannabis Cup, when he happened upon Voyagers.

He needs a name. Hmmmmmm…I need to think about this. Nothing. So, for lack of a catchier name, I’ll just call him Slick.

I begin to weed through my bag of weed (ha) and a pink rolling paper falls to the table. Slick is absolutely FLOORED when he sees it. I see how “enamored” he is with this pink paper so I give it to him. Bong is making his rounds, painting spliffs and in no time Spoon is introduced to Slick. Now he wants to roll one.

Slick heads up to the counter and orders a gram of something I didn’t note. Making himself comfortable at the table, he then proceeds to create a masterpiece of a joint, pink paper and all. In typical other-side-of-the-pond fashion, he twists fabulously, down to the carefully-crafted filter. When the pièce de résistance is completed, he sparks the tip. About one-third of the way through, probably a lot less than that, the tell-tale POP! with its corresponding smell immediately notifies us (and everyone else) that a seed just exploded in the joint. Slick's heart sinks. That beautiful piece of masterful work…has to be tossed now. Once that seed explodes, the rest of the joint will forever have that awful taste PLUS I have no more pink papers. I felt bad for him!! No worries though, by the time Slick heads out the door, he has met several ACDers and is WELL stoned.

By now we are STARVED, so when Danny and Gabby begin talk of “what’s for dinner” and decide to order Domino’s Pizza, Bong and I agree to have pizza with them. In no time at all we are munching on pepperoni and cheese. The boxes empty so fast, it looks like one of those sped-up videos where all the pizza just disappears in seconds. Pizza was made for stoners. Pizza and Pot. Yay. 

With the pizza boxes finally emptied and taken to the garbage, we can get back to some more serious action, like bong hits! As we happily pass the bong back and forth, the doors open and close incessantly, letting in voyaging stoners in need of some last-minute purchases. One group that arrives just happens to be my sister, dragonluv, and her crew. They join us at the table with enough time to smoke one more round. The hour is late and soon Gabby and Danny are closing up shop. Dragonluv and her friends come up to our room with us for some dabs.

The window must be open for us to do this. We all must huddle near the window to do this. We are not deterred. Several dabs are shared, laughter ensues, and Bong and I send them off very well-lit, but not before goodbye hugs are shared. With the room empty of visitors, Bong and I are now free to finish off the evening in the best way we know how.

…and we did the best way we know how…

[USbongLord]

Snack tray position is fun ...now I wanna go now

[Quazer]

Thanks luvtick!

[talkrum]

Wow - another "electric" episode. You kept us waiting -but it was worth it
More please.

[Willjay]