Arch's trip live 6-8th July

[archambaut]

Well, liveish - I will try and update from Interweb machines where possible, if I'm not too stoned

Arriving tomorrow, can't wait as usual. First stop Haarlem...
Laters
Arch


ACD all NL map

[archambaut]

Morning all. Stiing here in Birdys Haarlem for the first of the day,
and the trip.
First j is one of their super skunk - don't wantto white out
just yet.
Also got some of their tempel polm has which is vey soft and
crumbles with no heating. Lovely stuff...
More later
Arch

[Cisco]

Nice one Arch looking forward to hearing more about the Harlaam (sp) scene

[cattales1960]

Sounds like your off to a good start. Have a great trip and keep us posted

[archambaut]

Oops! this isn't very live is it?

I'm back now, and just about straight enough to finish up.
Not too many CS I visited had interweb machines, those that did
were either busy, or not in places I wanted to hang out.

Need to look at my photos to piece together what happened and when,
so could be a while yet.
Laters
Arch.

[Cisco]

good trip then ?

[archambaut]

Yeah, pretty good, with bonus souvenirs

Right, so I think I've pieced everything together.
So I sit in Birdy's for a good hour or so, surfing the
free interweb, smoking tempel polm and drinking
good coffee. Definitely the best shop in Haarlem.

Stepped out onto bright sunshine and sat by the canals for a
good bit of time.

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Swung by Take Away for a fly and buy of their Rode Maroc.
Good daily smoke for only 6E.

Wandered round the Grote Markt for a bit - no market, which
is a bit of a bummer as I wanted to pick up some nice fruit.

Decided to head off to the Dam around 12.30. It was getting hot
and I was already fed up of lugging my rucksack around.

[archambaut]

So train/tram to near camping Zeeburg.
It is a fooking long hike from the tram
to the site, especially if you've already pounded
the streets for a half a day.
It had rgeyed over and was threatening rain, so a good
15 minutes later, I'm in the checkin area. No problem with
my paper licence and scan of passport, staff behind counter
smoking joints and had seeming infinite amounts of patience
as I stone headedly rummaged around for various bits of paper.

Hit the wagonette - pretty compact, but serviceable. Sit down for a j,
at which point the heaven's opened. Looking around inside
the wagonette, I see shed loads of bugs, on the windows (inside)
and in the dark corners. Added a can of bug spray to my shopping list.

Having got my energy back a bit, I rolled up a j for the road and set off
back for the dam.
First stop Barentz. Picked up some AK47 and Royal Cream hash. Went to the
smoke room to chill. Some guy was hogging the interweb machine, so I just
sat and chilled and realised the my day's exertions were starting to catch up
on me a bit.

Hobbled from Barentz down to the tram stop:

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[archambaut]

Hop off tram round corner to Albert Hejn to lay in supplies.
Then a short hike along a side street to Chapiteau.
Interesting shoop - massive selection of strains, so chose
randomly Jack Herer at 8E, and Polm gold at 6E.

After that I'd had enough for a while, so took the long journey
back to Zeeburg. Fell for the old 'I'll just lie down for 5 minutes
to rest my feet' self-deception and crashed.

Awoke nearly at eight, I had planned to go to a TnT, but was no
way going to make it. Wandered out to grab a few pics of the sunset as
a consolation prize.

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[archambaut]

Oh dear, another unfinished travelogue, where does the time go.
I'm going to finish this one up, because I went to a few out of the way
shops that are worth a mention. What has been stopping me is that a
lot of my second day disappeared down a memory hole, and time has
not really helped fill in any gaps. But here goes...

[archambaut]

OK, so second day woke up early and free of insect bites.
The wagonettes are quite Ok as crash pads, the bed is nicely
comfortable and the quilts are adequate (and clean).

Wandered out along the canal for an early morning smoke and
checked out the local graffiti.

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[archambaut]

Took the long hike to the tram stop and into town, first stop
Picasso. I had the idea I would take the free breakfast, but
decided not to when I saw it.
Bought the special at 5E/g and the charas at 9e/g.
The special was a bit rough, but ok for the money, the charas
looked a bit old (cracked skin), but rolled up OK. Whilst it was an
alright smoke, I don't think it was worht the price.
Hobbled up the very steep staircase to enjoy a coffee and watch the
world go by on Haalremmerstraat. It was amusing watching the stoners
try and negotiate their way down the stairs - which don have a bannister
to speak of.

Popped into Jays Juices to pick up an apple carrot and ginger juice - it
was very gingery, to the point where it made your throat tickle. Took a while
to get used to, but was nice once you did.

Swung by Anyday to grab some BCKush (13E/g very smooth old school taste),
and some Maroc Gold a very nice polm at 9.6 E/g.

Hung around at the top end of the Singel for a while enjoying the sun and
observing the tour boats negotiating the 90 degree turn back to their moorings.
Each boat driver seemed to have their own technique, the most impressive one
just turned hard left and gunned the engine, and let the base of the bridge 'guide'
his boat through.

[angry pirate]

Doesn't matter how long it takes (sez me, the author of at least one unfinished travelogue! ), it still a good read. Keep it coming Arch.

[archambaut]

Thanks AP - an audience of one is a start

I decided to head over to north Amsterdam mostly
just to test out the free ferries - I'm too cheap to
go on a canal tour

Took a seat next to the dock to take a few snaps and my idleness
was rewarded when this hove into view:

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Fecking great cruise liner - yes it is about half as tall as
those offices behind it!

[archambaut]

So, I headed off the the Ooievartje. Only one ACDer seems
to have been there before, even though it is easier to find and
quicker to get to than many shops in the south.

Walk along the main road, turn left at the mosque