Osmosis had taken place where as copious amounts of 5-star ganja and booze passed from my mouth straight to my brain, and possibly my liver and kidneys.
Moving around in bed was difficult and the surprisingly comfortable rental was not letting go of me. Kate was awake already and must have been somewhere with Maui. Today was her last day in Amsterdam and it was also the anniversary of a day 30 years ago when Spike’s parents got drunk and mistakenly gifted the world with my friend. Spike is a particular dude. Hilarious, hungry for adventure, but particular. He wanted to sleep in, then hit the Van Gogh Museum, then a few CS’s, then a night of drinking in the Red Light District again. Being that my issues with his list were limited to how many CS’s and when can when get started, no troubles would stand in our way for Day #4.
The day already near 1pm again by the time we all were dressed and in the presence of the birthday boy (who was the last down stair-mountain) I decide to call for a “Stash Check.” This was an effort to get through some of our gear as it was starting to build up and I didn’t want to be limited in the latter days of the voyage. Spike had purchased a Bong at some point yesterday evening. I do not remember him doing it but it was a short 10” glass piece that looked like to would get the job done.
The grinder went to work on grams of Laughing Buddha, Grey Berry, Silver Bubble, ECSD, Green Crack, G-13, and Black Widow. Cones, a few blunt wraps, bowls, and somewhere in the neighborhood of 15,000 bong rips later, someone reminds us that we had plans to go to the museum. Ah yes, well then, let’s not “waste” any more time
Keys, map, camera, wallet full of funny colored money, ACD map, shoes and half a pain-killer in case my feet gave out. Everyone else did various versions of the same routine. Amsterdam seems large and overwhelming at first, but you could tell most of us were starting to feel right at home.Most in our group has either worked in a major metropolitan city or lived/grew up in the near vicinity. Subways, buses, taxis…. None of these are foreign concepts to us. But yet, somehow, we never got on the tram. Not once. It wasn’t that we couldn't figure it out; I guess I just didn’t feel the need. Walking in Amsterdam makes you get the full experience. It pays a toll on your feet, legs, back, etc… but one well worth it in my opinion. We are getting close to the destination so I suggest Rookies:
Rookies – Nice shop with some different strains of bud. This would be the start of Spike’s over-indulgence on spacecakes and buds for his birthday.
Bee – 2G Rosiha 10E g - Mostly sativa, unique smell and taste 8/10
Spike – 2G Amnesia Haze 12E g– 8.5/10
2 Space Cakes Chocolate – 5E Each – He ate both while we were sitting there.
Me – 1 Spacecake for the museum. 5E – Tasty, not as good as Paradox. 6.5/10
We make an obvious detour on our final approach to Van Gough.
It is at this point where Maui, still looking a little green under the gills, says her early goodbyes. I don’t think she felt like risking being late to Centraal even though I offered to pay for her cab to Schiphol. Maui needed a drink, a chair, and some alone time after a crazy 36 hours. Kate was somewhat disappointed but understood and was happy for the opportunity to see an old friend. Farewell, Maui. I give her my ACD map and point her in the right direction. That sorted:
Van Gogh Museum – 14Euro Per Person. Another rare treat and national treasure of Amsterdam. Even if you are not into art, pay the 14 Euro and go check it out. Seriously, it’s on the way to Katsu anyway
The collection spans four floors and is extensive to say the least. Vermeer and Monet also share the space with many others but who the hell can remember?? My idea of art is more along the lines architecture and physical objects. We spend a couple hours there, maybe less, and decide we are getting hungry. I lead the group over to Leidsplein where we take some pictures and hang out. Not wanting to go into the Bulldog, we decide to smoke a pre-rolled that we had from our earlier session outside their spot and take in the view from the street:
The girls (Kate and Jill) noticed a restaurant of sorts on the corner and I get convinced to go in. It was more expensive than it needed to be. Sandwiches, burgers and a round of Heineken's. The Heineken's taste good and Spike remarks that he would like to go to do the Brewery Tour. I had heard this was a waste of time but after settlement of the check and bundling back up:
Heineken Experience – 15Euro per person! most expensive "museum" we went to.
Ok, here is my take on “The Experience”, if your bored and don’t mind the 15Euro, ehhh, why not. If money is tight and you’re on a budget…. Skip it!! But like anything, you can’t claim it’s a waste of money unless you have done it. And then you can tell your mates back home to take it deep.
The one little sample beer you get on the tour is stupid but the two glasses you get at the end at least leave you with a decent taste in your mouth. That, and I ate the other Paradox cake I had purchased yesterday because the other one waste doing much to me. Spike notices this go down and looked bummed out that I ate the whole thing… so I promise to walk us home by Paradox for a restocking. (They want to get some for a journey we are making tomorrow.) A light snow falls dusting the streets and making me smile just a bit wider.
The sunlight waning on the walk home adds a peaceful touch to the busy locals scrambling all around us. Work must be ending Kate says as you can see more people than usual. It was nice and should be noted that going this time of year is great if you're ok with a bit of a chill, like the city less crowded, and enjoy paying half price on a 4BR rental apartment.
Paradox –
Spike – 2 Spacecakes 6E each
2G Cheese –24E
Jim – 2 Space Cakes
2Gram SS Haze 25E
Me – 1 & 1 (Gram of chocolope and a cake, please) 18E
No time for napping this evening as drinks & shots parlay in bong rips, which parlays in a “who can roll the largest cone with only one paper” contest… we are like high school children who found some beer and got all loud and out of hand. Perfect!
Spike's happy and enjoying the day so that’s all that matters. We venture out with our typical handful of cones at the ready and walk through the Square, down Damstraat and into the seedy goodness of the RLD. Tequila will make you do strange things and I thought this when I found myself walking into the Bulldog Bar. I might have even suggested it saying we could drink and smoke some gear and Spike liked that idea and didn’t care about the name on the sign. Fair enough.
Bulldog Bar RLD –
I have got to say that we had a great f’ing time in here. I smoked my cones at the bar and nobody bothered me. We also were tipping the bartender well and doing some shots of whiskey so they knew we were spending money. The Bartenders helper was an older gentleman who was dancing to the 80’s USA Pop music that was bumping on the speakers. It was semi-crowded but the bar-guy lit up a pre-rolled hasj joint, hit it once, passed it to me, and then refused it back saying we could enjoy it on him. Nice gesture dude, nice. Overall, 9/10 experience in here. Plus it was big enough to fit us all comfortably at the bar in stools.
Feeling so good I stopped next door:
Bulldog –
Me – 1G Cheese – Looked great, smelled great, smoked like shit! 5/10 Wasn’t properly dried, would barely light in cone or bowl. Shame.
The group is having fun but Kate looks a little under the weather. She has been drinking way more than she has been eating and looks into my eyes and says the magic words that all men know, “Take me home now or I’m going to be sick.”
That’s my cue, “Spike, Jim, see you lads back at the house.”We start the journy and while cutting across Kate says she actually feels better with the fresh air but can use something to eat. I know just the spot:
Burger Bar – 10/10 enough said. 11/10.
Picked up a 270g Irish Beef with Cheddar and mushrooms. Side of fries with special sauce, and a Sprite. Kate gets to hold the fries, the greasy goodness should do her right. It takes about 15 minutes to get your food but don’t worry, the best burger you will eat on the trip at the most fair price. Next time I went I got the Kobe beef, all good, can’t go wrong.
We eat and walk and eat and walk and finish everything as we are getting home. The group actually took a taxi and beat us there. I wash my face of what I hope is just mayonnaise, grab the Blue Cheese, White Russian, get skins, and roll a monster in the hopes it will put Spike down for the night. He keeps trying to pass it to Kate but she is sleeping on kitchen table by now. (Ha, lightweight) I am stuffing the last of the Super Polm into every bowl Spike hits and a few for myself. My mate, now right for only one task and that is passing out, says goodnite to our mission and us all.
I carry Kate up the stairs, which was no easy task. I grind up some GA Kush Berry for a heavy dose of night fruity goodness.
I smoke until it didn’t make sense anymore…..
(Day #5 – A day trip to Brussels and a night crawl of 5 CS’s)
It was 12:30 and it was still closed. I was bit disappointed but not angry. There will definitely be a next time I say to myself with a private smile. 
