Hey everyone, I am an American living in Germany, and I can't find any smoke, so I started reading about going to the Netherlands' coffee shops, and I found this place.
I went to Amsterdam twice when I was 17, but haven't been back there in 8 years. Amsterdam is a little far for me now, and I am married, my wife doesn't smoke, and I wouldn't feel safe bringing her there. When I was there last time, it was a rough place.
But now, I am going to try and go to some of the coffee shops on the border and see what happens. I've got a lot of questions about it.
If you've got any advice for me, let me know. Until then, I'll be reading the forums.
New, and from the weedless land of Germany
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TokeOnThat
- Posts: 225
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- Location: East London, England - - - Trips To Amsterdam - 18
Well, I went there in 2001 and it was a little rough.
I stayed in the Delta Hotel on Damrak. As soon as we exited the train station, we were followed by junkies. And whenever we walked, there was always people trying to sell us stuff. Plus all the very strange people there.
We went to the red light a lot, and that place was shady.
I have a high tolerance for that sort of thing, but I know it would freak my wife out. She has never encountered stuff like that.
Although I did talk to my buddy a couple days ago, and he said that they have really cleaned it up a lot now, so I am curious.
I stayed in the Delta Hotel on Damrak. As soon as we exited the train station, we were followed by junkies. And whenever we walked, there was always people trying to sell us stuff. Plus all the very strange people there.
We went to the red light a lot, and that place was shady.
I have a high tolerance for that sort of thing, but I know it would freak my wife out. She has never encountered stuff like that.
Although I did talk to my buddy a couple days ago, and he said that they have really cleaned it up a lot now, so I am curious.
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SRH_Spaded
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- Location: Chicago, Il. U.S.
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Maccobicco
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Sun 5th Oct 2008 04:05 pm
Hello!!!
Where in Germany do you live?
I can understand you concerns, but I have the impression that you experienced only a very restricted side of Amsterdam.
The area around the central station is rough. And I would never go again in a Hotel on Damrak.
But Amsterdam is not made only of that area and of the Red Light District. Although I think that the RLD is worth to check out, and it is a quite safe place as long as you simply ignore the "Charlie-Guys".
Amsterdam is much more than that. Maybe you should visit also other areas as the beautiful Jordan for example. Maybe your wife would also change her mind about smoking a little bit, when she sees in a comfortable and clean coffeeshop how relaxed and normal it is over there.
I also live in Germany but unfortunately far away too from the Netherlands. So that I can only go there from time to time. I have always experienced Amsterdam as a friendly and comfortable city. And it is also extremely beautiful, besides the Coffeeshops.
Where in Germany do you live?
I can understand you concerns, but I have the impression that you experienced only a very restricted side of Amsterdam.
The area around the central station is rough. And I would never go again in a Hotel on Damrak.
But Amsterdam is not made only of that area and of the Red Light District. Although I think that the RLD is worth to check out, and it is a quite safe place as long as you simply ignore the "Charlie-Guys".
Amsterdam is much more than that. Maybe you should visit also other areas as the beautiful Jordan for example. Maybe your wife would also change her mind about smoking a little bit, when she sees in a comfortable and clean coffeeshop how relaxed and normal it is over there.
I also live in Germany but unfortunately far away too from the Netherlands. So that I can only go there from time to time. I have always experienced Amsterdam as a friendly and comfortable city. And it is also extremely beautiful, besides the Coffeeshops.
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courtjester
- Posts: 682
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- Location: Smokelahoma
If you're an American and think Amsterdam is exceedingly dangerous, I'd really strongly advise you not to walk the streets.
Of New York, that is.
You found the RLD particularly seedy and dangerous...yet you chose to spend a lot of time there...and now are concerned it's too dangerous to return.
Instead, I would advise you to return, just not to the areas where you felt threatened, for whatever reason.
I've walked with my wife all over Amsterdam, including the RLD, at all hours of day or night, and I've never had anyone cause me any trouble whatsoever. Granted, I'm far from the first person someone will blindly pick to start trouble with, and I have seen some weird goings-on in A'dam. But that doesn't mean you spend your life worrying about something which probably won't happen.
Take the plunge and go back, for goodness' sake.
I'd feel safer in the darkest alley of Amsterdam at 3 a.m. than in some of the brightest-lit streets in the U.S. at 3 p.m., and that's no exaggeration.
If someone encroaches upon your space, just scream "Nyet!" They'll think you're Russian and too damned crazy to mess with.
Welcome to the forum.
Of New York, that is.
You found the RLD particularly seedy and dangerous...yet you chose to spend a lot of time there...and now are concerned it's too dangerous to return.
Instead, I would advise you to return, just not to the areas where you felt threatened, for whatever reason.
I've walked with my wife all over Amsterdam, including the RLD, at all hours of day or night, and I've never had anyone cause me any trouble whatsoever. Granted, I'm far from the first person someone will blindly pick to start trouble with, and I have seen some weird goings-on in A'dam. But that doesn't mean you spend your life worrying about something which probably won't happen.
Take the plunge and go back, for goodness' sake.
I'd feel safer in the darkest alley of Amsterdam at 3 a.m. than in some of the brightest-lit streets in the U.S. at 3 p.m., and that's no exaggeration.
If someone encroaches upon your space, just scream "Nyet!" They'll think you're Russian and too damned crazy to mess with.
Welcome to the forum.
Last edited by courtjester on Fri 14th Nov 2008 04:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Hey everyone, I'm about 20 minutes away from Frankfurt.
Well, like I said, when I was there in 2001, it was pretty rough. Me and my buddy got harassed by junkies a couple of times, and there was no shortage of extremely shady characters. This didn't really bother of scare us. Of course, we were aware and careful, but everything was ok.
I am telling you right now though, my wife would not feel good in that sort of environment.
Maybe it has changed over there. I hope it has because I'd like to go back, but for right now, I'd rather drive to Maaschrict or somewhere on the border, then make a trip all the way into the Dam.
Well, like I said, when I was there in 2001, it was pretty rough. Me and my buddy got harassed by junkies a couple of times, and there was no shortage of extremely shady characters. This didn't really bother of scare us. Of course, we were aware and careful, but everything was ok.
I am telling you right now though, my wife would not feel good in that sort of environment.
Maybe it has changed over there. I hope it has because I'd like to go back, but for right now, I'd rather drive to Maaschrict or somewhere on the border, then make a trip all the way into the Dam.
Hi there,
Welcome to the forum! Ich hoffe, dass alles gut ist!
Its true that the area around Central Station is rough, but then isnt that true of most cities. I felt uneasy on my first time, but soon overcame that for exploring much nicer parts. The Jordaan, Plantage, Vondelpark are much less in-your-face and have so much to offer. Ive lived 20 years in London and am now back in my native Glasgow, and its like saying I first arrived at Kings Cross and wouldnt go back to London, but would then not have seen Greenwich or Hyde Park.
A'dam has so much to offer as well as the coffeeshops and if you stayed in an area thats not in or so near the Red Light District you may feel more at ease and chill like we all like to chill. The street charlie guys on every corner of the RLD can be annoying but you learn to ignore them. I even got my pockets emptied by one on a stag night but thought, hey it could have been worse, I wasnt hurt. Amsterdam is a very safe, cultured and happening city but like any other, there are parts you should avoid. Read up a little before you go back and enjoy.
Paul
Welcome to the forum! Ich hoffe, dass alles gut ist!
Its true that the area around Central Station is rough, but then isnt that true of most cities. I felt uneasy on my first time, but soon overcame that for exploring much nicer parts. The Jordaan, Plantage, Vondelpark are much less in-your-face and have so much to offer. Ive lived 20 years in London and am now back in my native Glasgow, and its like saying I first arrived at Kings Cross and wouldnt go back to London, but would then not have seen Greenwich or Hyde Park.
A'dam has so much to offer as well as the coffeeshops and if you stayed in an area thats not in or so near the Red Light District you may feel more at ease and chill like we all like to chill. The street charlie guys on every corner of the RLD can be annoying but you learn to ignore them. I even got my pockets emptied by one on a stag night but thought, hey it could have been worse, I wasnt hurt. Amsterdam is a very safe, cultured and happening city but like any other, there are parts you should avoid. Read up a little before you go back and enjoy.
Paul
old(ish)dog on his own path thru the undergrowth
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Maccobicco
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Bhang Buddie
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Re: New, and from the weedless land of Germany
I've been going to the 'Dam for over 40+years, back in the early 80's I lived there for about 5 years and I never found it to be 'ruff' - except on the throat when I toked too much - I take my Lady each crimble and stay in a hotel, we have never had any hassle...........so may I ask, what do you call rough ?Giantfan wrote: When I was there last time, it was a rough place.
It does get rough, however if you go round asking for things that lead you astray
Can be found at 420, Illusia Road growing my own