what am i doing wrong??

[bbdug]

got my second trip to the Dam arranged for 3rd September, cant wait!
here's the thing, have been a regular smoker for about 10 years and i cant believe how little i know about the stuff!
might be down to the fact i have mostly smoked solid in that time and its really just whatever i could get hold of to be honest, lack of contacts. At times you could actually taste the old tyres and plastic i think was in it lol, as needs must. Had my first trip in February and it was amazing!!! smoked lots of hash and weed and also managed to get quite a few samples home I thought when i got home i could take my time with each kind and try and notice all the different stones, taste etc you guys all seem to talk about. Dont get me wrong there were differences in taste but i certainly couldnt taste things like lemons,parma violets etc. If i am being honest i couldnt even say which kind made me high, chatty, giggly etc, seemed to depend on my mood. Having said that everything i got from the Dam was great in comparison to what i get here.
What am i doing wrong? Is it just me though my other half feels much the same?
Any advice on how i can become a bit more informed and improve my palat?

[Iko]

Start with some of the big differences like Indica vs Sativa.
Try a pure Sativa weed like -
Dr. Grinspoon or Hawaiian Snow, Malwai Gold, Durban Poison, pure Haze.

then try some weed heavy on the Indica side like-
Hindu Kush, Afghani, Hash Plant, Northern Lights.

The Indica will make you feel heavy slow and stoned, usually a good choice for later in the day.
The Sativa will get you high in the head more than the body and may make you feel more energised, better for when you still want to be somewhat active.

You can follow the exact rule with Hash, though not everywhere will give you the lowdown on what type(s) of plants were used.
Most places will say high ( sativa based hash ) vs stoned ( indica based ).

As for tasteing lemons or chocolate, that may take some concentration and some very well cured buds.
Try some great Amnesia, to me if it is great, you instantly taste rype dark berries.

[Mr_Gav]

If you don't notice differences in highs, it probably means you aren't smoking too much and everything you smoke blows your head off?

If so, that's a good thing, just go for what you like. If you have a selection, your favourite will usually be the one you run out of first (incase you can't decide which you like best).

[dpgsoulja89]

I would say im more of an indica smoker,i just love that stoned couch lock fealing!
but sativa's kinda make me uneasy and a bit paranoid
just depends on the smoker

[angry pirate]

Time and experience matey, takes a while. If you have been smoking soap at home, you won't learn much about weed strains and their characteristics. Step one is to never smoke that shit again and urge everyone you know to do the same, cos the difference between that and weed is like Remy Martin XO against methylated spirits. Personally, i can tell a few strains apart and recognise trademark odours and effects, but i'm still in awe of the knowledge of a lot of ACD heads. I've learnt a lot through using this forum, you will too.
Have a good 'un in September man, use the force.

[2rollingstoned]

I am arriving in the Dam Sept 3rd as well! My first trip and will be celebrating my birthday!

Looks like there are several on here that are gonna be there during this same time period! It's gonna be fun!

Happy toking!

[bbdug]

thanks for all the advice guys. deffo wont be going back to smoking the soap,true what you said about the meth spirits angry pirate! will just need to hit the Dam more frequently will try your suggestion Iko of the big differences,thanks.
is there really much of a price difference if you buy outside the main areas, say Harlem? is the stuff as good? planning on spending quite a bit to send to a friend of course,

[geekymonkey]

I think a lot of being able to detect different flavors in the smoke has a lot to do with how good your palate is in general, but you can make it better. Start paying attention to what everything tastes and smells like when you put it in your mouth. Literally spend a second smelling it, tasting it, and thinking about it. You will be amazed how quickly you get more tuned in to taste. (Bonus points if you spend some time just smelling spices.)

It seems like with weed there's always more to learn, so start with some aspect you're interested in or good at, and you'll build up a decent knowledge base in no time. I'm a serious cook and foodie, so I'm a good taster naturally (was considering becoming a master sommelier for awhile.), so that was what I focused on in early trips. The more you smoke different strains the more the differences will arise. Practice makes perfect- so get smoking

[geekymonkey]

I am arriving in the Dam Sept 3rd as well! My first trip and will be celebrating my birthday!

Looks like there are several on here that are gonna be there during this same time period! It's gonna be fun!

Happy toking!

Gapie and I are doing a T&T at Voyagers starting at Noon on the 4th, followed by at least some crawling if you want to join us.

[Mr_Gav]

is there really much of a price difference if you buy outside the main areas, say Harlem? is the stuff as good? planning on spending quite a bit to send to a friend of course,

I've never been to Haarlem, but in my experience, everywhere else in the Netherlands has similar priced weed, but of poorer quality and no where near as good of a selection.

[Cisco]

^^ some good advice there Geeky

[angry pirate]

Seconded ^^, great tips GM.

is there really much of a price difference if you buy outside the main areas, say Harlem? is the stuff as good? planning on spending quite a bit to send to a friend of course,

Not a massive price difference, but Haarlem is a really nice spot, 20 mins on a train from centraal (think i'll bike it there next time) search for it in the travelogues board for loads of info.

[geekymonkey]

Oh, I meant to mention regarding price. I haven't been to harlem yet (on tap for end of September trip), but from looking at menus, it seems like you won't do much better for price there than you will just getting out of the Centrum. Deep into de Pijp, and out to the West will get you some really good deals (Worth going to Boerenjongens and then around the corner to Bij, their sister shop, to stock up at good prices.) Also, it looks like you'll be in town for Hugo de Groot's specials on the 5th, which sound like a killer deal (their cheese was soooo good).

[spireax]

Haarlem's no cheaper in my experience but it is a nice place to visit, a fair amount of good cs with reasonable menus, nice parks and shit to look at and a good overall atmosphere.

[bbdug]

thanks for the invite geekymonkey, will really try and make it. Have read your trip reports, fantastic! I really am a total novice by your standards but if you could put up with the questions and the embarasement of how little stuff i put in a j, , a t&t would be fab. is Hugo de Groot a shop? de Pijp is on my list of areas to visit.
managed about 25 shops last trip so in the process of making up my hit list for this visit, 5 full days!
one weed i know i really liked was the Chocolope from Paradox. Nice chilled place and not too far from where i stayed, never too busy. Cakes quite nice too
hoping we will have better navigational skills this time