Embraman Aug 9-13, with a twist................

[bubblebelly]

Neither one of mine were planned, and the amount of panic was IMMENSE both times. However, after seeing the baby for the first time (both times), everything changes, and after a very brief period, you would never want to go back to your previous life. The strange thing is, you may even miss her being pregnant, as will she. That's the way it was for us anyways!

[Lamont]

Since I have four (three now grown), I think I may provide a few good tidbits.


8. Don't be surprised if you find yourself rocking back and forth while standing and talking with coworkers.

ROTFL yes I can concur with this statement.

[cornish pixie]

Congratulations !!!! My little lad is two in September and he really is my world. Just wait until the birth and you hear that first cry and you hold your little miracle. It's the most amazing feeling in the world. God I get tingles down my back jus remembering that moment.

[hestia]

congragulations!! you'r a lucky man.....father!

[Embraman]

Thanks for all your nice comments,just got online for the first time,trip is good so far,nice weather and buds,Embralady is struggling a bit though,so taking it slow,will post up later hopefully,not had the chance,just heading for breakfast then to the Artis zoo(via a smoke)and some of you will know never to piss off a pregnant girl
Peace,Embraman

[islandgurl]

and some of you will know never to piss off a pregnant girl
Peace,Embraman

I'm sure you DO need peace! Poor thing, her hormones are completely out of whack and she's going to be very tired. Don't be surprised if she needs naps, that's one of the major signs of early pregnancy. I'm sure you know the other one, too bad she can't take a little hit now and again... much safer for the baby than any anti nausea pills. Had to smoke some while pregnant with my last one (didn't the first three) due to heavy sickness and she's just as smart as the other children... and believe it or not? Healthier! Seems strange I know, but she's been my healthiest child out of the four; scored in the top 5% of the nation in her FCAT scores last year too. Some people may disagree with me, even in here and that's okay. I know what I've lived and can't overlook the facts. Hope y'all have a wonderful rest of the trip.

Beautiful boys ya got there, bubblebelly.

[Embraman]

Monday 9 august
Arrive a little late but soon walking up the ramp in Centraal,still get the same feeling every time,looking forward to this.My good intentions last as long as i see Betty Boop and decide a smoke is in order.
I order a bag of Bubblegum,1.6grams for 10 euro,mainly on price.
taste is o.k,nothing special,its got a bit of kick to it though,not bad overall for the price.Have another on the way to hotel(Eden on Amstelstraat)
On the way,pass a rambling junkie,first cliche of the trip Rooms not ready,so dump bags and wander around.
Go down Leidsestraat,pick up a nice sandwich,while doing this a dutch girl faceplants outside after getting caught in tramlines the older dutch lady next to me in the queue just looked in disdain and said "shouldnt be cycling here anyway" and sweetly smiled lol,cliche number 2
Walk round to Rookies,get a gram of Northern Lights (9euro)and sit out.
Average weed again,smoke up then back to hotel.
End up at Rookies again after a shit Burger King for dinner,slept in and everywhere is too busy,this time get 1 gram of LA Con (10.30 euro) and 1 gram of Cheese (12 euro).
This time,both are a lot better,flavoursome and ass kicking strong,give both a 8.5/10,smoke almost all then back for a fairly early night.
4.6 grams the first day,not much for me,trying not to be my usual greedy self and just enjoy,so far so good.
Thanks for all your comments/congratulations,more to come soon
Peace,Embraman

[djreign]

Congrats man, really good news.

I agree with absolutely everything IslandGirl and the others have said.

I have one 5 year old and he really is absolutely everything to me.

When i returned from Amsterdam on Monday and got picked up from the tube he was screaming daddy, daddy, daddy out the car window. He then proceeded to insist on giving me cuddles all the way home as he had missed me. Sappy i know but i could have cried my eyes out with happiness. I normally cry as i have left Amsterdam and come home to London ha ha.

If i could offer one piece of advice which we got from out NCT classes. If you work Monday - Friday then make sure your wife does the night feeds Monday - Thursday. You take over for the weekend and can still function at work in the week. It certainly helped me stay sane in those early months.

Good luck mate

[Embraman]

Thanks dj reign,and all for your kind words
Tuesday 10 August
Finish the LA Con from Rookies this morning,a really nice smoke,a surprise as i don't usually buy from there,head down to Bagels and Beans for a BLT and coffee,then Embralady suggests Amnesia,off we go.
Nice and quiet,order 2 shakes and get 2 grams of Acapulco Gold(28 Euro)Stuff the budget,i'm wanting a nice hit.
A good smoke,spicy and smooth,with a mellow buzz,i'm feeling better now.
Chill a while then head for shopping for Embralady,on the way we see an old dutch lady,face all bloody,lying in the road,cars and bikes whizzing past,nobody stopping.I'm wondering why nobody is helping,is she drunk/drugged/whatever but no she seems 'normal'just that no-one cares.
As we get nearer a fire engine comes to her aid ,then an ambulance arrives,maybe someone phoned it in then,but it still shocked me.
Head to De Kuil so Embralady can find me easy,get settled at the window with a coffee and 2 grams of SS Haze,(24 Euro)Gorgeous smell,tastes really fresh and funky,potent too,i'm getting a bit wasted.
My eye is caught by this big guy leaving,as soon as he hits the fresh air,he's struggling,holding on to his buddy,tighter,then slowly melting to the ground,250 pounds of him forming a puddle,eyes rolling,deathly grey,we got a whitey!!
I know i shouldn't laugh,but me and an old stoner sitting next to me were trying not too giggle,i'm thinking i should help'but he's a big guy and i've had 2 spinal operations,so i'm hesitant but thankfully the budtender seen him,sorted him out with a coke and a muffin,he gets on his way slowly after 5 mins,a whiter shade of pale.He's got me scared to light this Haze,as i'm not too far behind him in stonedness,decide to get lunch and take a breather when Embralady arrives.
Head to Wok to Walk for lunch,first time here,try the chicken with noodles/sweet n sour sauce and eat out on Rembrantplein,not bad food and sunny weather,town is as busy as i've seen in about 3 years,rammed with people.
Head off walking,but Embralady is struggling,so when i see the sign for Barneys on Vizjelstraat,i suggest a seat.
Get a good seat outside,then head in for a look.I don't usually come here because of poor service in the past and his prices,decide to give it another chance.The budtender can hardly be bothered to serve me and if i never had a tired wife in tow ,i would have walked away.
Get my own back by asking about/to smell them all,fuck him,get a gram of Red Cherry Berry as it's not too overpriced (12 Euro)and a shake from the (friendlier)girl.Try one outside,lovely smooth smoke,tight little buds,great taste,pity about the service,won't be back.
Back to the hotel for a rest,then off to Getto on the Warmoesstraat for dinner.
Lovely burgers and a couple of cocktails (for me),we sit for a while people watching,then head up to Nes for a smoke.
Quiet inside,just getting settled with a beer when the police come in asking to see some folder/book behind the bar,guess they are checking something,after 5 mins they go away wishing everyone a good avond polite police,what next?(they were women,doesn't usually make a difference in Scotland though)
Embralady is not feeling hot though,so have to call it a night early,head to hotel,i pop down for a few spliffs before bed,enjoying the cherry berry.Another cheap day weed wise,i'm trying to keep the greed monster at bay,instead of hurrying between shops all day,nice and baked all the same though looking forward to tomorrow

[Embraman]

Wednesday 11 August
Heading to the Artis Zoo today,I don't agree with zoo's but Embralady has never seen more than a pigeon in the flesh,and wants to go.
I warn her about the sad/crazy animals and small enclosures but she wants to go,so moral issues aside,off we go,grabbing breakfast on the way.
Pay 17 Euro each entry and walk around,not a bad selection of animals but they are really crammed in and unhappy looking,watch the monkeys pick fleas off each other for a bit,Embralady agrees it will be her only visit to a zoo,bored lions/gorillas/giraffes etc upset us both,it's absolutely packed with kids so i only have a few smokes,i'm all out and couldn't find Hortus CS ,not where i thought it was,panic is slowly settling in.
Jump a tram to Dam Square and head again to Amnesia,get 2 Grams of NYCD,classic smell and taste (13?Euro a gram)
Gets busy though,so have a few then look for a terrace,weather is lovely,sunny and 25 degrees.
End up outside Basjoe/Bagheera,both are rammed but then someone gets up as we approach,get a seat at Bagheera.
Been meaning to visit here,go in and talk to Highly Blessed,points me in the direction of their Bagheera Special,smells beautiful,HB says it's SS Haze,12 Euro a gram.
Also get a half gram of s5 Haze Hash/Pollen,looks good,and a few drinks.The shop itself is pretty basic,but the weed is amazing,strong and full of flavour,mouth watering.Sit here for a couple of hours,then back to freshen up.
Get a cycle taxi down to the RLD for 10 Euro,5 for a tram anyway and here i can blaze,film a bit too,(borrowed the camera so i'll try to post later)enjoying the stares from other tourists.
Getto again for dinner, an indian lentil soup,steak and coffee later and a few NYCD and Bag Special joints,and i'm a happy man.
Over to Amnesia again for 'dessert',a gram of LSD (13 Euro)an old favourite of mine,sharp and pungent,and it doesn't dissapoint,and a coffee and apple cake,sit outside in the setting sun blazing,eating,watching life go by,enjoying the fine weed that today brought.
Head up Rembrantplein,have a milkshake and a few discreet joints in the square,then back for a early night again,it's strange not leaving bars/Cs before the stools are upturned,back for 11 p.m,Embralady shattered,9p.m is a late night for her just now,another good day though,heading to the Pijp tomorrow.
Peace,Embraman

[spidergawd]

Really enjoying following you about town guys, great write up thanks . Agree about the animals in the zoo I'm afraid .

[Embraman]

Cheers Spidergawd
Ps Islandgurl"animalistic"??Thats gotta win you word of the week
Thursday 12 August
Bagels and Beans again for breakfast,then off down to Albert Cuyp.
Can't find De Graal,should have took a note,head to Club Media anyway as it's usually quiet,not too smoky.
An Irish female budtender lets us in,explains a few new items on the menu(lemon skunk 10 euro was one,got a menu pic to follow)led me to the Amnesia Haze at only 8.50 a gram and the Hindu Kush,still 9 Euros.
Get 2g of Kush and 1 of Amnesia Haze,settle in with a cup of tea.
I've always liked it here and again the weed is lovely,both killer smokes,try the Hindu first but it's an asskicker,so keep for night time,Haze is lovely too,especially at this price,cracking daytime smoke.
Nobody in,locals in every 2 mins to buy n fly though,to me always the sign of a good shop.Service here is good too,no problem taking menu photo's or loaning a grinder,2 bottles of fanta for 3 euro,Lays at 1 euro,prices are hard to beat.Sit watching a film for a bit on the plasma t.v(Transporter 3?)so bad it's hilarious,then back into the market for a nosey,then around the pet shop for Embralady to swoon over the pups and kittens.
Walk back via Leidseplein,head into Vondelpark for a stroll and a coffee before heading back to hotel to freshen up.
Getto again for dinner,lovely as ever,then head to Betty Boop for an outside seat.
Running low so get 2 grams of Twizzla(24 Euro)and sit out,the hash is nice and smooth,mellow flavour and fx,a couple more spliffs of the Kush and it's goodnight Vienna for me,another easy relaxing day,time is just flying by,last day tomorrow already
Peace,Embraman

[titus wong]

Hey Embraman,

Really enjoying yer tr so keep it up!! Next time yer looking fer de Graal, bear in mind it's on the same street as the market (Albert Cuypstraat)! Just head in the opposite direction from the market (when u get off the 16 or 24 tram). Hope this helps. Let's have some more!

[Embraman]

Cheers titus,annoyed i didn't get there,it seems good,always next time hopefully
Friday 13 August
Wake up early and as its the last day,decide to get ripped.
3 down my throat before breakfast,Embralady a bit tired today.
Gorgeous early weather so i tell her not to bother lugging a jacket about all day"we'll be fine"
Yep,half way through breakfast the sky turns dark and thunder starts rumbling oops,about 2 miles from hotel now,i say" it wasn't thunder just a lorry probably" while thinking shit,i'm going to get an earbash here.
Head back to the hotel for the jackets on the tram,Embralady leaving me in no doubt of my status as a fuckup.
Now its raining biblically,i suggest heading to Media again,as we know it will be quiet,anywhere in the centrum is packed with rain dodgers,and we can get another journey off the tram with the one hour rule.
Head down there,a bit busier today,chill and read the papers and smoke 2 grams of SS Haze (8.50 a gram)
Again a great price,and the smoke is lovely,close to De Kuil's quality but a lot cheaper,sit watching animal documentary's on Discovery for a while.
Weather is improving,so we head back to Centrum to be close to hotel,then head to Basjoe for a last smoke.
Get a gram of Himalaya(10 euro),a nice dark Indian hash,smooth and a nice high,maybe not the most potent but a tasty smoke,i really liked it,sit outside enjoying the view,knowing we're going home soon,i hate this time,checking my watch every 5 minutes.
Get a Wok to Walk on the way to hotel,try Beef,Brown Rice,Peppers and Black Bean sauce,delicious.
Hit the tram to Centraal,have a wee spliff outside,then off to Schipol,after check in have a last spliff of SS/s5 hash,swallow the last Himalaya,stumble home,sad as ever,been here every 13 weeks for the last 10 years,don't know when i'll get back now,suppose i had a good run though
Plan on getting back next summer/autumn,till then i'll have to make do with reading all the trip reports.
Best weed of the trip is a close call between Media's Amnesia Haze or Hindu Kush,Bagheera Special,or the SS haze from De Kuil.
Can't decide,i would probably go for Bagheera Special,but the prices,decor ,service in Media mean this is my favourite place to go now,really recommend to anyone who hasn't been or anyone fed up of Centrum prices.
Thanks for reading,peace,Embraman

[StonedSince67]

... stumble home,sad as ever,been here every 13 weeks for the last 10 years,don't know when i'll get back now,suppose i had a good run though

well you do have different responsibilities now, so yes things will change, maybe not so much the first year because there will be a lot work to do and you both will be unbelievably tired for some time ...

... but ... before you know it a chance for the child to spend some time with grandparents or aunts/uncles will be seen an adventure for them and then you can pop over for a little visit, children need some time away from the parents as they are growing up, so windows of opportunities will open for you soon

best of luck for the future ...