Feb 19th Saturday – My crusted-over eyes slowly break apart and sunlight fills my shrinking pupils.
As if I had been sleeping on a bed of nails, I stand up and let out a primal yell that most likely sounded ridiculous and frightening to the neighbors. Today is a day that has been queued up for 15 years. One last sad task awaits me and that is kenneling my pup
. The long drive which was brutal last holiday seemed to be surprisingly easy this go-around. Must be the destination that has me completely wired and giddy like a schoolgirl.
The dog situated, a final goodbye and gas peddle floored to pick up my love. She is a few years my junior and the type of girl who is down for the cause. Not to mention she is fairly easy on the eyes.
My luggage, several pre-rolled goodies, a bottle of water, and of course, Kate are now in my car for the hour drive to my mate Jim’s apartment just outside of the NYC area.
Kate is more excited than I am according to her, but my extra years of waiting can only be described as a DAM of enthusiasm waiting to burst and flood the poor village below. We pump some Jimmy, Sublime, Roots, Doors, new stuff, old stuff, anything as long as it pumps and keeps our spirits high. We pull into Jim’s place and Jill greats us at the door with a huge smile and equally ‘high’ zeal. Spike is driving in from Boston and a late addition to the group, Jill’s brother Bee is joining us as well. We are now 6 total ages 22-30. I just turned 30 and Spike is scheduled to turn 30 on Wednesday. (If he makes it that far!)
A heated round of dutches and cones with keef start circling as we hear the sound of a knock at the door. “Van’s here! Come out when you are ready please.” He must have known based on our flight and terminal that we needed a few more minutes.
We cough out smoke and laugh at our fates, final puffs taken we head to the door and lock our past behind us. Van loaded (brilliant idea to take the van. Well worth the cost not to have to drive and fight traffic on a joyous day). The hour drive to Newark Airport in New Jersey seems to take no time at all. We are at the International terminal having our last cigs and giggling at anything that moves. We flash our passports, get our boarding passes, surprisingly breeze through the security gate, hit duty free for a list of booze and cigs. Booze purchases include two bottles of Kettle One, Pattron, Baily’s Irish Cream, Jaeger, and some Bourbon. We board, settle in with some really nice TV’s in the headrests, and before we know what is going to happen…… wheels down 8am Sunday morning Amsterdam Local Time.
Feb 20th – Sunday, Schiphol Airport 8:05am. Hello Amsterdam!! The 6 of us depart with our carry-ons and head towards the maze of remaining administrative duties. Passports all get stamped which I heard might not happen. Bags all arrive with no delays. Since we are 6, we decide to catch a van-taxi to the rental office. Our rental won’t be ready until 2pm but we are welcome to come, pay-up and store our luggage. The rental office is near the Rijks off of Weteringdwarsraat. We get dropped off, meet a very friendly younger guy who welcomes us and we dump our luggage. From there he offers us a cab to the center of town and we accept.
Centraal Station can’t be described as is true with many, many sights in A-Dam. We see the gilded peeks and immediately notice the four level bike-parking garage. Being from NYC I have seen many types of parking garages but never an epic bicycle mountain. My ACD map and a Frommer’s map in tow, We march down Damrak and take in all that the city has to offer. It’s chilly but we were prepared. Many sad looking blokes passing us pulling their bags as they head toward the train back to destinations bunk. All 5 others are now looking to me for information and I fake as much as I can. I had a list in my notebook of a dozen shops with quality gear and the ACD recommendations of places that could accommodate a group of our size. I take us to our first shop, our first experience and our first great time –
420 deKuil.
420 deKuil – I push the brass-split double doors open and a warm vibe welcomes us in. I know at this point to differentiate between the drink counter and the bud counter. I say hello to the drink woman and say hello to the budtender who greets me warmly. “May I please see your menu?” “Yes, of course.” First item I notice, Nevilles Haze. (Small menu but some nice quality) “May I please see your Nevilles?” “Ah, good choice my friend.” “I will take a gram of that, please.” “You got it!”
My research had done me well. I showed respect and was pleasant, and the rest of the trip was a piece of cake now. (Sure, right!) My 5 mates all watched and took mental notes, some purchased, others ordered coffee, hot chocomel, and cokes. I notice the HUGE wooden table down a few steps and ask if I can purchase a lighter and borrow the bong!!! Yes was the reply to both requests.
Spike – 1g White Widow – 8Euro – 7/10 Nice, tasty, plain, and stony.
1 Pre-Rolled Moroc Joint 5Euro – 6.5/10 Mixed with stale tasting tobacco. I didn’t mind it but others didn’t care for it. (I told them pre-rolleds were not the best bet but what do I know!!)
Bee – 1g Blue Berry – 8euro – 7.5/10 Great smell, taste, ok high, nothing special
Jim – 1g 420 Kush – 12Euro – 8/10 Heavy Stuff, Good Smell and loaded with trichs
I told my friends the difference between haze and kush but all rules went out the window on day one.
Me - 1g Nevilles Haze 13Euro – 10/10 Not because it was my first weed, but because I went back three times during the week for this stuff. Great batch, super sativa high, amazing taste, clean burn, no coughs. Totally impressed even after I found my stride later in the week with purchases. Great for the price compared to Quasar and Grinspoon.
We hit the bong, roll a few cones, drink our drinks and still in disbelief, soak it all in. I rate this place high and a couple other stories from here will surface later in the week. I recommend this as a chill spot with good drinks, a small menu but a few great selections, and one fat cat.
At this point it is about 10:30-11 and I lead us out through the alleys and over to Spuistraat so we can get a look at the canals. Having gotten properly stoned, we almost forgot that the canals will dominate our views for most of the week. We are floored by the scenery and awestruck in the beauty of the architecture and flavor of the city. After some wandering we land at Grey Area. I tell them about this place ahead of time and how it is VERY high on my list, but doesn’t open until 12 and closes early compared to other shops. I take the group to Amnesia which I swear is right around the corner. (Thanks ACD Map, at this point I am now the official leader of the group by default)
Amnesia – We can’t help but be floored by the smell coming out of this shop. I comment that they must have the vents blowing out on the street to entice passers by. We enter and all the tables are full. (Welcome to Amsterdam, I knew getting great tables would be difficult) Girls to the Drink counter, boys to the bud counter. I go through the polite routine and ask to see the Tangerine Dream!!! “We are out!” Try the G-13. How about that I ask, “We are out!” At that point I get the feeling that shaved-head budtender is pushing the G-13 on me, but it looks good and I have to admit it is harder to say NO THANKS than it is to just buy it. (At this point of the trip)
Me – 1G G13 Haze 13 Euro. 6.5/10
Looked good. Smelled great. Smoke was harsh. I noticed that I smoked it a few times through the week and each time we ALL coughed up a lung.
Spike – Waited until I left and then made a purchase. He came back to the drink counter with a sneaky smile on his face. “What did you buy Asshole???”
1G – Super Ice Amnesia Ice-O-Lator 45Euro!! 10/10 Incredible high, almost debilitating and to strong. Shit puts you on your butt, save it for the late night.
1G – LSD – 13Euro 9/10 I recommended he try this and it did not disappoint. Heady high and a great smoke going down and coming up. Left us drifting through the city after that smoke and hungry for lunch.
Walking back out onto the street my mates cry for some lunch and I tell them all in good time, all in good time…. Turn and walk back down the street. They scratch their heads and follow. I obviously have only one thing on my mind right now and that is more of a good thing and GREY AREA.
Grey Area – 12:05pm and the line is out the door. The group moans and I shoot them a look like they better get on my team or find their own way. That gets met with some immediate ball busting and I loosen up.
The line moves quickly enough and the younger American with black hair is at the counter. Spike and I are the only ones who are buying at the moment apparently and we introduce ourselves and get greeted in kind. I want to buy everything and I want to see everything. We decide on:
Spike – 1G Grey Berry 8E 7.5/10 – A must try for the price. Smells like pure fruit.
1G Blond Keef (Off the menu, asked for something “special”) this wasn’t the grey crystals, he pulled out a box with 4 different kinds of keef which were not on the menu. Spike went with the super blond for 20Euro a G. 10/10 strong, spicy and pungent when smoked!
Me – 1G Recon 12Euro 9.5/10 Amazing bud, please try it. Fruity, light breakfast high.
1G Silver Bubble 10/10 AMAZING. Well worth the money. In fact, the prices here are more than worth the money compared to some of the mediocre 15Euro “Cup” buds at other more commercial places. (See future reports, cough*** Barneys)
Now fully satisfied and ready to go home, not really, we make a journey back towards central for lunch. Our path down the Singel leads us to Greenhouse Lounge. First thing you notice is the Coy pond that is in the FLOOR! Really cool. I know this isn’t everyone’s favorite place on this site but the décor and lunch we ordered hit the spot. Burgers and BLT’s with some cokes all around on the bottom floor. We ask for the bong and were told we had to wait till it was ready. Cones are rolled two more purchases made.
Greenhouse Lounge-
Me – 1G Super Lemon Haze 12Ero? 8.5/10 Tasty lemon smell and smoke
Jim – 1G Cheese 12 Euro? 7.5/10 Ok version, nothing to cheesy unfortunately
1G Green Crack 13Euro 9.5/10 Looks like some of the best weed out there, taste to match, wish I bought more later in the week but we never came back.
Service was slow and the 4 burgers and 2 BLT’s took about 40 minutes, again, welcome to the Amsterdam way of life I remark in my happy baked sarcastic blather. Food was 8/10, price was fair and the bong arrived at the end of our meal…. Just perfect for the first day so far. Pack up our gear, I think I have 5 or 6 grams on me in the first 6 hours J we march back to the rental office and settle up with the agent. Grab the keys our bags and hit the street for the long walk to our place. The agent recommends a cab or the tram but I protest and say it’s a 20 minute walk. 20 was actually 35 and the 6 of us pulling luggage in an otherwise quiet neighborhood was a bad mistake, but worth the walk and all the views and pictures.
Our apartment is an epic climb up the famous dutch staircases to the 2nd floor. This was my pick and I was very anxious to make sure we didn’t get duped into a rats-nest. All fears are ended upon entering. Comfy beds, large living room, a few channels on a 27” TV. Bags being unpacked, cones being rolled of 7 different types of weed. Sativas mixed with Indicas, Kush and haze and keef…. Oh my!!!
We stumble to the Albert Hein and get our supplies, mixers, TP for the WC, etc. After some drinks, the 30+ hours of straight excitement claims victim after victim. I am getting depressed in this state and I want to go to Paradox, Basjoe, Voyagers, shit, I’ll go to the Grasshopper. As I say all of this, my sexy GF cuddles up next to me and that is where I woke up, covered in ash and loving every second of my first day in Amsterdam!
(I hope it wasn't too long or boring, 1st attempt)
I have pictures but waiting for my mate to upload the "good" ones. I have menus too for almost all of the places from the week. Cheers, more tomorrow maybe.
) 
) where we all decided to book a flight and get this done. I wasn’t going to let the plans fall in Spike’s hands or Jim, or Jill. So, I set out on the World Wide Web to find as much information about hotels, flights, etc. We quickly get 5 direct flights from Newark to Schiphol booked for Feb 19-26th. 
The next item was living arrangements. The group was two couples, and Spike. Hotel research seemed to turn up many good options but none of us really liked the idea of not having a common area to chill out in and smoke. Jim had the bright idea of a holiday rental and I began to interview a few companies. I finally booked through Short Stay Group out of Amsterdam and we managed to get the unique score of a 4-bedroom apartment in the Jordan area. 
