Dec. 8-11 trip report
Posted: Tue 12th Dec 2006 04:18 pm
We're back from our second trip to Amsterdam in five months, and anyone who read my July report might note the objectives were entirely different. July was a 14-day trip, with a firm objective of keeping all smoking materials to an average of E7 per gram or less. This was a 3 1/2-day trip, so price was not such a consideration.
So was it better to go upscale? Not really, with a couple significant exceptions, most notably the Grey Haze from Grey Area, which is my new favorite weed in Amsterdam, and Mrs. C.J. agreed it rivals her previous favorite, Skunk White Night from Skunk C/S in Sittard. Grey Haze is an incredible daytime smoke, and if you don't get a hunk of it, it's a mistake.
We arrived Dec. 8, more than a half-hour earlier than scheduled, so we were at Central C/S by 8 a.m., putting in early work on a 4g sack of XXX. The joint and coffees steeled us for a rainy, windy walk to Pick Up The Pieces, for a 1.8g sack of Northern Lights. It was still only 10 a.m. after we polished off the NL, but we decided to take a chance, walked to the hotel, and learned we could check in within 45 minutes (it was Hotel Gerstekorrel -- ??? -- at 22-24 Damstraat, small rooms, but extremely comfy beds, we agreed we would stay again for another three-night trip, but in an apartment for anything longer). So we strolled over to Stix on Korte Koningstraat for a couple grams of Gunpowder hash, smoked a dusted joint of XXX, went back to our hotel for check-in and a power nap, smoked some more of the dusted XXX at Sensi C/S, then went to Rusland for a gram of weed we didn't even have a chance to smoke, because our 4:20 meet at DeKuil 420 was fast approaching.
We got to DeKuil a few minutes early, and Bluelaru and Judy were already there. Just awesome people. The arrivals of Jr. and jBomb followed in short order, and we all had a great time smoking up all kinds of weed -- the AK-47 from Rusland, the CANNABIS CorrUPt-WINNING Arjan's Ultra Haze No. 2, some Gunpowder, some Grey Mist Crystals, some Blueberry (which Bluelaru got from DeKuil, and was excellent), a really potent hash joint that Jr. had rolled, and some of the last Martian Mean Green in the city, which jBomb thankfully had rat-holed, or else none of us would have had a chance to try it.
The party then moved from DeKuil to Nes, where we smoked a gram of Sada Shiva, which was outstanding, and then jBomb pulled out some medical marijuana, which he said was gamma-radiated Domina Haze x Black Pearl, and stuck it in a bong. That bong, the extensive travel, and three-plus hours of unfettered smoking after a couple of fairly strong smoking runs earlier in the day, pretty much put Mrs. C.J. down for the count. That was fine, since I was hunger panging anyway (I can't tell you how many times I told her, "We'd better go get something to eat," although I don't remember any response other than a blank, stoned stare.) So we said our good-byes, went on a short walk for fresh air and New York Pizza slices, got our legs back under us, went to Basjoe for one last smoke of Orange Bud, then called it an early night.
Now, that's just the weed part of it, which was fine enough. But meeting everyone was the real high point. Just an outstanding group. We also met DC and Rev later in the evening at Nes, in passing, which also was a pleasure, and we look forward to more comprehensive smoking and conversation with both in the future.
Day 2 started with trips to two of our favorite coffeeshops from July, Rastababy and The Noon. Rastababy is one of few coffeeshops that has not raised its prices in the five-month interim, all weeds still 2.8g/E12.50 (drinks, however, are high). We selected two packages of Silver Haze, which was excellent, before tramming to The Noon for the 4g/E23 (formerly 5g) Blueberry special. While we like the Blueberry strain, and bought 15g from The Noon in July, this particular batch was our harshest smoke of the trip.
We then went to Kingston C/S, which, for some weird reason, is probably the most centrally located shop that never has been reviewed on the ACD site (it's No. 27 on the ACD numbered map of the Centrum). I went there specifically to write the first review. The weed/hash menus were limited, but the prices were reasonable, and we smoked a very good gram of White Widow. A couple hours later, I noticed my digital camera missing. I knew I either left it in the hotel (which I believed), or at Kingston. We went on with the day as scheduled, and after another three or four hours, we finally made it back to the room. No camera. So I walked (more like stalked) directly back to Kingston, where the budtender had it stored. Thumbs-up for decent weed, decent prices, and plain decency.
The Hash Plant Haze from Anyday was fine weed, but not worth the price. The AK-48 from Sheeba was poorly cured, and as much as I like the shop, this was our third trip there, and the weed has never failed to disappoint, both in smokability and pricing. That said, Sheeba's Special Cake actually is quite tasty, if you like eating weed, which Mrs. C.J. seems compelled to do at least once per trip. I tried a bite. It was good. But it wasn't enough to salvage the negative of dumping more than a half-gram of weed into the roach bag because it wouldn't stay lit.
Day 3 started with a trip to Anne Frank Huis, which we didn't get to do in July, but was absolutely fascinating. Not coincidentally, I timed it to conclude with the noon-hour opening of Grey Area, where we arrived about 10 minutes early, which allowed time for fawning over the delectable chocolates in the store across the street (highly recommended). We were the first weed customers in the door, and got a good look at a batch of Grey Haze, which almost made me swoon. You might have noted in jBomb's reports that he loves the stuff, and now I know why. We smoked 3.5g of Grey Haze (one bud) throughout the afternoon, and time just seemed to fly, as did we. Then, in early evening, we smoked a gram of 4077 Medicinal Leaf from Grey Area, a heavy Indica (Afghani x Hash Plant) -- and Mrs. C.J., who doesn't have the slightest idea about Indicas and Sativas, was quick to note the uplifting nature of the Grey Haze, as opposed to the Indica's heavy body slam. A most interesting case study.
We ended Day 3 with another meet with jBomb, at Bluebird, where we smoked two joints of Jack Herrer and one of jBomb's Stella Blue, from Nes. We're early-to-bed, early-to-rise types, so we were only there about an hour -- and jBomb graciously gave us a bud of the Blue, which we smoked in our room, and which had us knocked out by 10 p.m.!
Day 4, as is now our tradition (if two trips constitute tradition) began and ended at Rastababy, where we took up residence for four hours at the table immediately inside the door to the right, the one under the big tiger painting on the window, and smoked up everything we had left. One joint of Silver Haze. Two joints of Blueberry. Four joints of everything under the sun -- all the crusty roaches from the previous days, plus about three-fourths of a gram of Gunpowder, and the remaining unlightable weed from Sheeba. We were pitifully roasted when we walked to the train station.
To everyone we met, thanks for the fellowship and fun. It got us more juiced than ever for 4-20!
"THE PURCHASES"
DAY 1 -- FRIDAY
CENTRAL
XXX (4g/E25): Good first smoke after 13 hours of airports.
PICK UP THE PIECES
Northern Lights (1.8g/E12.50): Unless an absolute buffoon is growing it, you'll never read a bad word here about Northern Lights.
STIX
Gunpowder hash (2g/E25): While I wouldn't dust an upper-end weed, this can rescue average weed. A little goes a long way, and I probably won't make another trip to A'dam without scoring a bit.
RUSLAND
AK-47 (1g/E7): Fine smoke, but if you read my July report, I listed Rusland on my list of top-10 shops. The vibe was noticeably colder this time, even though I actually did something nice for the dude at the weed counter (delivered a videotape of the 2005 "Passport to Europe" show about Amsterdam on The Travel Channel, which featured Rusland, although no one there had seen it). We went into Rusland three times, and walked out twice without buying. This was the only purchase. Oddly, I wouldn't go out of my way to return now, even though I'm curious what they thought about the show. Maybe someone could ask for me. And if you do, ask if Samantha Brown, the "Passport to Europe" host, smoked any. That's what I really wanted to know.
DEKUIL 420
Arjan's Ultra Haze No. 2 (2g/E23): The Cup winner. What a bunch of bullshit. I smoked a half-dozen weeds on this trip alone that were better. But I loved the shop and the meeting was great.
NES
Sada Shiva (1g/E10): Even after everything we smoked at DeKuil 420, this didn't get lost in the shuffle. Even as stoned as we were, I knew it was special. Next time, I'm going to Nes early one day, to make it my first smoke, and give it a more exclusive test. It deserves that kind of attention.
BASJOE
Orange Bud (1g/E7): We made two stops at Basjoe, although this was the only time we bought bud, and I was impressed with the shop. Budtender took our order, sent us to our table, and came by a couple minutes later with a tray: "Here's your hot chocolate, here's your Spa Blue, here's your marijuana." Nice.
DAY 2 -- SATURDAY
RASTABABY
Silver Haze (5.6g/E25): A fine mid-level Haze at Rastababy's best-in-city prices. I have bought 12 of Rastababy's 2.8g sacks over the course of two trips, and seven have been Silver Haze. I like.
THE NOON
Blueberry (4g/E23): Harshest smoke of the trip, and I hate to say it, because I love the strain and the shop. I'll be back, but I'll be warier. And we'll try to focus on times when Mahmoud, our favorite budtender from the July trip, is there (we missed him this time, but I know for a fact he works Friday nights and Sundays).
KINGSTON
White Widow (1g/E6): Solid smoke. And the aforementioned honesty thing was bigger, to me, than losing the camera altogether would have been. I'll be back for that reason alone.
ANYDAY
Hash Plant Haze (1g/E11.60): Uh-huh, uh-huh, yep, good smoke. Worth the money? Hahaha. I had seen photos of Anyday's menus on the Internet before, and always thought I would avoid the shop because it is overpriced. This confirmed it.
SHEEBA
AK-48 (1.5g/E12): Let's see, where did I put my poison pen? Oh, here it is. I would be upset if I got weed this poorly cured from a street dealer. We must have lit the joint 10 or 11 times, and still ended up roaching one-fourth of it, before tossing the rest of the weed into the roach mix. A joke.
DAY 3 -- SUNDAY
GREY AREA
Grey Haze (3.5g/E33.50), Matanuska Tundra (1g/E10), 4077 Medicinal Leaf (1g/E8.50): Revising my July list of top-10 coffeeshops is pretty simple. Place Grey Area No. 2, behind Rastababy, in the place formerly occupied by Amnesia. Move Amnesia to No. 3, in the spot formerly occupied by The Noon. Move The Noon to No. 4, in the place formerly occupied by the coupled entry of Rusland and Het Ballonetje, which get removed entirely. Grey Area has the best menu in Amsterdam, period. Grey Haze is the best weed I've smoked in the city, period. Get yourself there and get some.
BLUEBIRD
Jack Herrer (1.9g/E12.50): We smoked it with jBomb, who likes the coffeeshop but rarely buys there. Driest weed of the trip. But compared with the unsmokeable crap at Sheeba the previous night, who's complaining?
SUMMARY
TOTAL WEED/HASH PURCHASED: 33.3 grams
TOTAL COST: E251.60
AVERAGE PER GRAM: E7.56
(If anyone wants to enlighten me about how to post pictures, I'm listening.)
So was it better to go upscale? Not really, with a couple significant exceptions, most notably the Grey Haze from Grey Area, which is my new favorite weed in Amsterdam, and Mrs. C.J. agreed it rivals her previous favorite, Skunk White Night from Skunk C/S in Sittard. Grey Haze is an incredible daytime smoke, and if you don't get a hunk of it, it's a mistake.
We arrived Dec. 8, more than a half-hour earlier than scheduled, so we were at Central C/S by 8 a.m., putting in early work on a 4g sack of XXX. The joint and coffees steeled us for a rainy, windy walk to Pick Up The Pieces, for a 1.8g sack of Northern Lights. It was still only 10 a.m. after we polished off the NL, but we decided to take a chance, walked to the hotel, and learned we could check in within 45 minutes (it was Hotel Gerstekorrel -- ??? -- at 22-24 Damstraat, small rooms, but extremely comfy beds, we agreed we would stay again for another three-night trip, but in an apartment for anything longer). So we strolled over to Stix on Korte Koningstraat for a couple grams of Gunpowder hash, smoked a dusted joint of XXX, went back to our hotel for check-in and a power nap, smoked some more of the dusted XXX at Sensi C/S, then went to Rusland for a gram of weed we didn't even have a chance to smoke, because our 4:20 meet at DeKuil 420 was fast approaching.
We got to DeKuil a few minutes early, and Bluelaru and Judy were already there. Just awesome people. The arrivals of Jr. and jBomb followed in short order, and we all had a great time smoking up all kinds of weed -- the AK-47 from Rusland, the CANNABIS CorrUPt-WINNING Arjan's Ultra Haze No. 2, some Gunpowder, some Grey Mist Crystals, some Blueberry (which Bluelaru got from DeKuil, and was excellent), a really potent hash joint that Jr. had rolled, and some of the last Martian Mean Green in the city, which jBomb thankfully had rat-holed, or else none of us would have had a chance to try it.
The party then moved from DeKuil to Nes, where we smoked a gram of Sada Shiva, which was outstanding, and then jBomb pulled out some medical marijuana, which he said was gamma-radiated Domina Haze x Black Pearl, and stuck it in a bong. That bong, the extensive travel, and three-plus hours of unfettered smoking after a couple of fairly strong smoking runs earlier in the day, pretty much put Mrs. C.J. down for the count. That was fine, since I was hunger panging anyway (I can't tell you how many times I told her, "We'd better go get something to eat," although I don't remember any response other than a blank, stoned stare.) So we said our good-byes, went on a short walk for fresh air and New York Pizza slices, got our legs back under us, went to Basjoe for one last smoke of Orange Bud, then called it an early night.
Now, that's just the weed part of it, which was fine enough. But meeting everyone was the real high point. Just an outstanding group. We also met DC and Rev later in the evening at Nes, in passing, which also was a pleasure, and we look forward to more comprehensive smoking and conversation with both in the future.
Day 2 started with trips to two of our favorite coffeeshops from July, Rastababy and The Noon. Rastababy is one of few coffeeshops that has not raised its prices in the five-month interim, all weeds still 2.8g/E12.50 (drinks, however, are high). We selected two packages of Silver Haze, which was excellent, before tramming to The Noon for the 4g/E23 (formerly 5g) Blueberry special. While we like the Blueberry strain, and bought 15g from The Noon in July, this particular batch was our harshest smoke of the trip.
We then went to Kingston C/S, which, for some weird reason, is probably the most centrally located shop that never has been reviewed on the ACD site (it's No. 27 on the ACD numbered map of the Centrum). I went there specifically to write the first review. The weed/hash menus were limited, but the prices were reasonable, and we smoked a very good gram of White Widow. A couple hours later, I noticed my digital camera missing. I knew I either left it in the hotel (which I believed), or at Kingston. We went on with the day as scheduled, and after another three or four hours, we finally made it back to the room. No camera. So I walked (more like stalked) directly back to Kingston, where the budtender had it stored. Thumbs-up for decent weed, decent prices, and plain decency.
The Hash Plant Haze from Anyday was fine weed, but not worth the price. The AK-48 from Sheeba was poorly cured, and as much as I like the shop, this was our third trip there, and the weed has never failed to disappoint, both in smokability and pricing. That said, Sheeba's Special Cake actually is quite tasty, if you like eating weed, which Mrs. C.J. seems compelled to do at least once per trip. I tried a bite. It was good. But it wasn't enough to salvage the negative of dumping more than a half-gram of weed into the roach bag because it wouldn't stay lit.
Day 3 started with a trip to Anne Frank Huis, which we didn't get to do in July, but was absolutely fascinating. Not coincidentally, I timed it to conclude with the noon-hour opening of Grey Area, where we arrived about 10 minutes early, which allowed time for fawning over the delectable chocolates in the store across the street (highly recommended). We were the first weed customers in the door, and got a good look at a batch of Grey Haze, which almost made me swoon. You might have noted in jBomb's reports that he loves the stuff, and now I know why. We smoked 3.5g of Grey Haze (one bud) throughout the afternoon, and time just seemed to fly, as did we. Then, in early evening, we smoked a gram of 4077 Medicinal Leaf from Grey Area, a heavy Indica (Afghani x Hash Plant) -- and Mrs. C.J., who doesn't have the slightest idea about Indicas and Sativas, was quick to note the uplifting nature of the Grey Haze, as opposed to the Indica's heavy body slam. A most interesting case study.
We ended Day 3 with another meet with jBomb, at Bluebird, where we smoked two joints of Jack Herrer and one of jBomb's Stella Blue, from Nes. We're early-to-bed, early-to-rise types, so we were only there about an hour -- and jBomb graciously gave us a bud of the Blue, which we smoked in our room, and which had us knocked out by 10 p.m.!
Day 4, as is now our tradition (if two trips constitute tradition) began and ended at Rastababy, where we took up residence for four hours at the table immediately inside the door to the right, the one under the big tiger painting on the window, and smoked up everything we had left. One joint of Silver Haze. Two joints of Blueberry. Four joints of everything under the sun -- all the crusty roaches from the previous days, plus about three-fourths of a gram of Gunpowder, and the remaining unlightable weed from Sheeba. We were pitifully roasted when we walked to the train station.
To everyone we met, thanks for the fellowship and fun. It got us more juiced than ever for 4-20!
"THE PURCHASES"
DAY 1 -- FRIDAY
CENTRAL
XXX (4g/E25): Good first smoke after 13 hours of airports.
PICK UP THE PIECES
Northern Lights (1.8g/E12.50): Unless an absolute buffoon is growing it, you'll never read a bad word here about Northern Lights.
STIX
Gunpowder hash (2g/E25): While I wouldn't dust an upper-end weed, this can rescue average weed. A little goes a long way, and I probably won't make another trip to A'dam without scoring a bit.
RUSLAND
AK-47 (1g/E7): Fine smoke, but if you read my July report, I listed Rusland on my list of top-10 shops. The vibe was noticeably colder this time, even though I actually did something nice for the dude at the weed counter (delivered a videotape of the 2005 "Passport to Europe" show about Amsterdam on The Travel Channel, which featured Rusland, although no one there had seen it). We went into Rusland three times, and walked out twice without buying. This was the only purchase. Oddly, I wouldn't go out of my way to return now, even though I'm curious what they thought about the show. Maybe someone could ask for me. And if you do, ask if Samantha Brown, the "Passport to Europe" host, smoked any. That's what I really wanted to know.
DEKUIL 420
Arjan's Ultra Haze No. 2 (2g/E23): The Cup winner. What a bunch of bullshit. I smoked a half-dozen weeds on this trip alone that were better. But I loved the shop and the meeting was great.
NES
Sada Shiva (1g/E10): Even after everything we smoked at DeKuil 420, this didn't get lost in the shuffle. Even as stoned as we were, I knew it was special. Next time, I'm going to Nes early one day, to make it my first smoke, and give it a more exclusive test. It deserves that kind of attention.
BASJOE
Orange Bud (1g/E7): We made two stops at Basjoe, although this was the only time we bought bud, and I was impressed with the shop. Budtender took our order, sent us to our table, and came by a couple minutes later with a tray: "Here's your hot chocolate, here's your Spa Blue, here's your marijuana." Nice.
DAY 2 -- SATURDAY
RASTABABY
Silver Haze (5.6g/E25): A fine mid-level Haze at Rastababy's best-in-city prices. I have bought 12 of Rastababy's 2.8g sacks over the course of two trips, and seven have been Silver Haze. I like.
THE NOON
Blueberry (4g/E23): Harshest smoke of the trip, and I hate to say it, because I love the strain and the shop. I'll be back, but I'll be warier. And we'll try to focus on times when Mahmoud, our favorite budtender from the July trip, is there (we missed him this time, but I know for a fact he works Friday nights and Sundays).
KINGSTON
White Widow (1g/E6): Solid smoke. And the aforementioned honesty thing was bigger, to me, than losing the camera altogether would have been. I'll be back for that reason alone.
ANYDAY
Hash Plant Haze (1g/E11.60): Uh-huh, uh-huh, yep, good smoke. Worth the money? Hahaha. I had seen photos of Anyday's menus on the Internet before, and always thought I would avoid the shop because it is overpriced. This confirmed it.
SHEEBA
AK-48 (1.5g/E12): Let's see, where did I put my poison pen? Oh, here it is. I would be upset if I got weed this poorly cured from a street dealer. We must have lit the joint 10 or 11 times, and still ended up roaching one-fourth of it, before tossing the rest of the weed into the roach mix. A joke.
DAY 3 -- SUNDAY
GREY AREA
Grey Haze (3.5g/E33.50), Matanuska Tundra (1g/E10), 4077 Medicinal Leaf (1g/E8.50): Revising my July list of top-10 coffeeshops is pretty simple. Place Grey Area No. 2, behind Rastababy, in the place formerly occupied by Amnesia. Move Amnesia to No. 3, in the spot formerly occupied by The Noon. Move The Noon to No. 4, in the place formerly occupied by the coupled entry of Rusland and Het Ballonetje, which get removed entirely. Grey Area has the best menu in Amsterdam, period. Grey Haze is the best weed I've smoked in the city, period. Get yourself there and get some.
BLUEBIRD
Jack Herrer (1.9g/E12.50): We smoked it with jBomb, who likes the coffeeshop but rarely buys there. Driest weed of the trip. But compared with the unsmokeable crap at Sheeba the previous night, who's complaining?
SUMMARY
TOTAL WEED/HASH PURCHASED: 33.3 grams
TOTAL COST: E251.60
AVERAGE PER GRAM: E7.56
(If anyone wants to enlighten me about how to post pictures, I'm listening.)
(I actually forgot about meeting you guys totally in my report, so this reminded me 
