I've been reading ACD for quite some time now. I've decided that it is time to stop lurking and join the mob.
I've been to the Dam about 7 or 8 times in my life. First trip was in '85; both started and ended my summer in Europe with a stop in the Dam. Coffeeshop culture was very different back then.
Since then, I've taken a few 1 or 2 day trips by myself at either the start or end of a Europe business trip. I've mostly visited during the fall and winter months. I think the coldest days of my life have been enjoyed in Amsterdam. Smoked a lot during my trips (although nowhere near the amounts of many ACD travelogue contributors) and tripped a couple of times. I'm a "heavy hitter" (mostly smoke from bongs) and still can't roll a decent joint (even after 32 years of toking).
I'm coming to Amsterdam back again in a couple of weeks (Sept. 25 - 27) for the start of a Euro vacation with my wife. We've been planning this forever, but one thing or another has always come up. Not this time though! The missus has never been outside the US before, so I thought that there is no better place to start than Amsterdam. She doesn't smoke, but she likes the stoner culture, so I am confident that we wlll have a great time.
Thanks to everyone on the board for all their valuable contributions (especially the trip reports). I look forward to both asking lots of questions and hopefully contributing a few answers here and there...
Ciao for now.
I like your label, this is the damfan society. 