Just checked into the apartment and it's perfect. Nice kitchen where Mrs. MikeD. can cook as she LOVES to do, and at the end of the block is the tram stop and the market so we can get anywhere we need with ease. Suprised to see garbage everywhere, as I've been told that the workers have been on strike since just after Queensday. I guess they resume work on Wednesday so no sandals for the Mrs. until Thursday!
I quickly settled in and got a shower and as I did, the wife ran down the street to Club Media. By the time I was out of the shower, she was back with what appeared to be just over a gram each of their Hindu Kush and Blue Cheese. Perfect! I look at the clock and it's 4:10. We spark up the BC first and it's ok, but weak on taste and punch. For 6Euro, who's complaining?? I am damnit, this is Amsterdam! After half the joint is gone, I'm already rolling the HK. Much better, and at 9Euro we both give it a solid 8/10. For those looking for that Kush taste, it's there but subtle. The smoke is smooth and cured well and has given us both that first buzz we needed to re-energize and hit the town. Out to meander about the area and enjoy the evening. Check back later.
Good to see you made it alright. I remember that you rented an apartment in de Pijp. Let us know what you get from the Albert Cuypmarkt for breakfast tomorrow. Also, I recall one of the stands was a headshop -- you may be able to obtain a cheap grinder and pipe from there. Have fun!
Left the apaertment last night and walked around ended up stopping at rookies first. Picked up a gram of Buddha cheese for 12.5 Euro and a gram of SSH for 12. The cheese smelt decent but the buzz was pretty weak. The SSH currently is rolled for my wake and bake which will be smoked in about five minutes. The area around Rookies coffeeshop is full of fairly inexpensive restaurants, some with pasta and pizza for 5 Euro, and others with all you can eat short ribs for 9 Euro. Settled on a couple of personal pizzas from an Italian place two doors down from Rokerij. Turned out to be an okay pie, especially for the price. After dinner, strolled into Rokerij, but it was quite buzzy, and the menu was only okay. Decided to pass and walk back toward the apartment. Magically, our legs seemed to take us to Katsu, and before long I was ordering up a 20 Euro special of Black Widow (1.7 g) and SoGouda (2g). So nice to be back in one of my favorite coffeeshops. The SG is delicious and seems to increase the weight of your eyelids a bit, but energizes at the same time. Then I skin up the weed I've been dreaming of since I left last time... The Black Widow tastes exactly as I remembered but seems not quite as strong. Regardless, this very distinct taste, flavor, and stone are great. After hanging in Katsu for a little over an hour, we came back home and proceeded to smoke, munch out, and play cards for the next couple hours. Just getting up now and about to make plans to head to the store for groceries! That means that some good homecooking is sure to follow, and then it's over to Basjoes for the T&T at 4:20. Back soon.
Day 1 purchases-
Hindu Kush - Club Media (9E) 8/10
Blue Cheese - Club Media (6E) 5/10
Buddha Cheese - Rookies (12.5E) 7/10
SSH - Rookies (12E) TBD
Black Widow (20E=1.7g) 9/10
SoGouda (20E=2g) 8.5/10
Also, yes I'm in De Pijp on the street next to Albert Cuypstraat. LOVE this part of town, and Titus I will send you some more pics of the apartment in a bit per your request a while ago. Oh yeah, and she is a GREAT wife and an even better cook!
I'm glad you and your wife are having a great time. My husband and I are heading up in a few weeks, and I also love to cook (in Amsterdam and everywhere else). I'm not sure what kind of food you are into, but just up the block from Mellow Yellow is an awesome organic/bio market with some really beautiful food (if you head towards downtown/the AH, it is just before the AH).
Thanks for the report and I hope you have a great time!
geekymonkey wrote:I'm glad you and your wife are having a great time. My husband and I are heading up in a few weeks, and I also love to cook (in Amsterdam and everywhere else). I'm not sure what kind of food you are into, but just up the block from Mellow Yellow is an awesome organic/bio market with some really beautiful food (if you head towards downtown/the AH, it is just before the AH).
Thanks for the report and I hope you have a great time!
Thanks for the tip on the organic market. We noticed it as we took the tram from centraal yesterday. Already on the wife's must visit list on Monday.
Hi Mike. Glad you and Mrs D made it safely. As you may have heard, the volcano has kicked off again closing some north U.K. airport's. Forecast is it may affect Gatwick sometime tomorrow the day I fly from there. So not sure if I'll see you both in Katsu. Might be back to work and a re-scheduled trip for the 3rd time. In the meantime, have a good one and enjoy.
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smoke on
So yesterday, we started out by walking towards where the t&t was to be held. First, a quick buy & fly from Mellow Yellow. Got a quick gram of the S5 Haze I have read so much about. Then on to Green Place. Picked up a gram each of the Blueberry Cheese and the OG Kush. The Mrs. was really enjoying the hip-hop music and was happy to stay awhile and enjoy. First the S5, great taste and nice haze high. Almost like having a second cup of coffee. The Blueberry Cheese was more cheesey than fruity, but the blueberry IS there. The stone is great, and leaves you licking your lips for more. I apoplogize for failing to recall how much was paid for these, I hope the quick description and pictures to follow will suffice. (Taking lots of bud porn and I'll get it up soon.) So there we were, sitting in Green Place and I notice it's 3:30. Time to make our way to Basjoes for the T&T. We get there and find James behind the counter. This is the first time in this shop, so despite my feeling like I know James now through all of you, I introduce myself and my wife. I order a gream of the Bas Special and a half gram of Terminator. I asked James about the Terminator and told him that Bonglord from Baltimore says I should "put a little on the tip and let it run down". The mention of Bonglord certainly broughta smile to James' face as he said, "You know that guy?" I explained the forum the best I could and we shared a smoke. James seemed a little more quiet and subdued than I expected. We met a regular at this coffeeshop named Wojtek (sp?) from Poland who is living here working and saving up money to fix his motorcycle and take a tour of southern Asia! We invite him to our table and start enjoying our smoke. The Terminator is great and gives a great buzz that lasts for a while. After learning that Wojtek works at the Ice Cream place next to Green Place, we now know another place we will be visiting soon. The 4:20 hour came and went with no one showing for the T&T. Good time, regardless. While leaving, I was informed of some horrible news that I am not sure if all here are aware of. James' brother passed away a few days ago. No wonder, he seemed so quiet and reserved, the poor man is heartbroken, I am sure. Please keep him and his family in your prayers and well wishes. I will certainly be stopping by frequently while here and attempting to put a smile on his face. Anyways, we left and walked back to the apartment and picked up a 5g bad of the Hindu Kush we liked from Club Media for 40Euro. Back home for a homecooked meal and a movie. Mrs. MikeD. made grilled chicken breast and fusilli with olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and fresh basil. A pear, blue cheese, and almond salad accompanied this and all was sublime. Watched the Movie Law Abiding Citizen, and enjoyed it very much. Can't wait to see the adventure that today brings. Back soon.
Thoughts are with James, family and friends at this time. I didn't know Leo personally but from all said here he sounded like a very very cool guy indeed.
MikeD. wrote:While leaving, I was informed of some horrible news that I am not sure if all here are aware of. James' brother passed away a few days ago. No wonder, he seemed so quiet and reserved, the poor man is heartbroken, I am sure. Please keep him and his family in your prayers and well wishes.
OH NO WAY!
I wondered when people were saying it was closed as much as it was, but hoped it wasn't true. I'll always remember him dancing while chanting "We are here... doing the right thing". What a character Leonardo was, I'll miss him forever. Wish I could give James a big old hug right now, I'm sure he could use it.
Please do me a favor: You don't have to hug him, but tell him IG sends a hug and will personally squeeze him like a python upon her return.
