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Posted: Sat 11th Jul 2009 02:16 pm
by artful
Excellent travelogue. One question though...what kind of paper was the Terminator on? Were you able to scrap all the "T" off of it?

Posted: Tue 14th Jul 2009 03:06 am
by HasjDreamer
Hey artful...the Terminator was on a parchment/wax paper and, yes, I was able to scrape all of its goodness off easily with the provided toothpick(s)!

Ok, let's wrap up this travelogue before we're back in Amsterdam on a new adventure!

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009...THE FINAL FULL DAY CONTINUES

High (and a soaring high at that!) off the temple ball, it was off to some unknown restaurant for some unknown meal. Not sure about y'all, but we tend to wind down to the point where we're either going to start our new jobs in the morning or go home - unfortunately, we're NOT starting work but flying out in the morning so we don't know WHAT we want to do, WHAT we want to eat. We DO however, know what we want to smoke!!

Money left over - lots, too. What a good feeling! We head off for a cup of cafe at our "local" (for today, anyway!) and some smoke so it's time to settle down at the

137

We have our regular seats now - against the wall in front of the giganto flat-screen showing yet ANOTHER bicycle race! Trying to savour what will be our LAST cafe (the best in case you forgot!) at 137, we order up some hasj and stay awhile. Having already tried the "super polm" but found it a bit too sweet for my taste, we go for the lower priced

POLM at 7 e/g

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0321.jpg

Ya know, it was MUCH nicer than the super...not as strong but a great taste. It's light brown appearance and pliable texture perfectly represented the taste and light and airy high that was to follow. We chill for a good hour just talking and laughing, puffing on hasj jays and alternating between staring at the telly and staring out the side window and door at the slowing growing twilight. The last sunset of the trip! Bittersweet indeed...

We stay local, hanging out either at the apartment or wandering about snacking our smoking our 'outdoor' backwoods. Surprisingly enough, we find ourselves out of smoke so we decide to stock up on herb and some fresh mint tea at the

GREENHOUSE

"Silver Pearl" - at 10 e/g and our LAST sativa of the evening with the rest being saved for the morning. You get spoiled...10 e/g, nice bud with the customary GH cure, taste and value we've come to expect. The hasj,

"King Hassan Extreme" at 11 e/g. Nice end-of-night stone but was slightly marred by a bit of the dreaded cake texture.

A grab and go takes us down the straat to

DAMPKRING

For a g-slice of RIFMAN to top off the trip, the LAST purchase

"NOUSHA" 14 e/g Which we save half for the morning.

No reports of the Rifman, we're too jaded and distracted and I notice my notes become curtailed and more factual. You can tell the trip tomorrow has us antsy and we find ourselves staring blankly at the tv back at the hotel, smoking the last of the indica's and finishing up the packing. With tomorrows flight cloths waiting, we head to bed...

-HD

Posted: Tue 14th Jul 2009 06:15 am
by Denomolous
HD, when I was in Amsterdam I fell in love with mint tea also. I found Dwaze Zaken at Prins Hendrikkade 50, next to Green Light District if you know them. They do their mint tea different than every one else. They make it with boiling water, fresh mint, honey, and orange juice. Next time you are in town check them out. Good applegebak met slagroom too.

Posted: Tue 14th Jul 2009 01:12 pm
by StonedSince67

Posted: Tue 14th Jul 2009 05:18 pm
by colinzeal
Really stellar report HD, cant believe I am still enjoying it now! ;)

Took a while to get it all down but more than worth it, thanks again mate and great pics too!

Posted: Fri 24th Jul 2009 03:32 am
by HasjDreamer
Stoned...you are the MAN :D!!

I'd love nothing more than to share a joint and a drink in the 'dam someday!!!

Ok, how 'bout a last chapter to wrap it all up! It's not like it's taking me FOREVER or anything like that!!

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009

We wake early and in a melancholy mood. Our flight is around 1:00pm and we ALL know what a bee-ATCH schipol can be departing so we plan on arriving 11:00 pronto! We smoke up a spliff of silver pearl in our room and head out ready packed for our first coffee. It's early and we head to Barney's since it's closest and open. We sit, thinking about home and smoke some hasj. I trying SO hard to savor every moment - the smell in the morning air, the amazing architecture (both old AND new), the food, the social justice, the cafe and, of course, the HASJ - but it's hard. We've grown accustomed to our environment and it's hard to imagine NOT being here, NOT having this as our daily routine and ritual. It seems so easy...

So we smoke up, drink up, and head back to bid a fond adeau to our apartment on Browersgracht. To make matters worse, when we arrive back at the apartment they're setting up a pretty nice fair at the noordmarkt 'round the corner. We manage a quick walk thru but they're still setting up so it's half empty and nothing is ready for sale.

Back to the room to smoke what little we have left - and roll a phat-ass Nousha joint for the walk. Before we knew it, the plane was in the air and I was passed out cold listening to David Bowie's "Low" on my iPOD...

SOME FINAL NOTES...

Upon returning I was talking up a storm to one of my bosses about Amsterdam...don't worry, it was cleaned up to avoid any incriminating facts...when she asked a rather curious question:

"Would you like to move over there?"

...well, someday, absolutely! :D :D :D

"Just give me the word and we can transfer you over..."

Now, I kid you not - I nearly SHIT my pants on the spot. See, I work for a large international company (and a FANTASTIC one at that!) who happens to have a major office in, of all places, Amsterdam.

So gang...look for our big move in as little as a year (and as long as 3). It would most likely be a complete and thorough move - buying a house and ALL that cool shit!!!! We'll contact HOUSE HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL and see if they'll let us on the show!

Alright, enough with THAT...here's some leftover pics for your browsing pleasure:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0307.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0306.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0305.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0308.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0310.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0311.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0309.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0312.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0316.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0317.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0318.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0322.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0326.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0192.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0332.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0333.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0187.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0191.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0197.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0200.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0209.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0206.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0211.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0212.jpg

The final pictures of the trip, appropriate some how!

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0334.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... CN0335.jpg

OK, ONE last update:

>>>>>NEXT TRIP<<<<<<
OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 6, 2009

ANYONE BEEN TO NEMO B&B APARTMENTS???? I'll post another thread too.

!!!!THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR COMMENTS, FOR READING, FOR YOUR ADVICE AND INSPIRATION!!!!!

I PROMISE my next travelogue won't take so dang long!!!

Posted: Fri 24th Jul 2009 04:48 am
by FlyByNite
HasjDreamer wrote:
>>>>>NEXT TRIP<<<<<<
OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 6, 2009

You know the blurb about default link. Whos In Town has this trip posted.


Enjoy
FlyByNite

Posted: Fri 24th Jul 2009 06:09 am
by cantona7
i spy a 12 pack of mt dew code red in one of your last pics..which store was that? i may have to buy a few packs on my next trip as an ice cold mt dew code red is one of my fave beverages when stoned.

Posted: Fri 24th Jul 2009 01:12 pm
by HasjDreamer
Cantona - those Dews (and a ton of American style junk food!) were at SOME store between Nieuwmarkt and the Dam area. Wish I could be more specific, I'm not entirely sure THAT'S correct! We were strolling towards, I believe, the Green Place and we spotted this expat store for homesick Americans and I HAD to snap a pic.

Fly by nite - thanks for adding me to the WHO'S IN TOWN list!

-HD

GROW YOUR OWN, TINS??

Posted: Fri 24th Jul 2009 01:23 pm
by HARRYO
Now that is what i call a trip/smoke report!!!!

thanks so much, pictures were great, smoke report got me drooling!

Quick question guys, whats this grow your own tins??? and how does it work??

Posted: Fri 24th Jul 2009 10:12 pm
by cantona7
HasjDreamer wrote:Cantona - those Dews (and a ton of American style junk food!) were at SOME store between Nieuwmarkt and the Dam area. Wish I could be more specific, I'm not entirely sure THAT'S correct! We were strolling towards, I believe, the Green Place and we spotted this expat store for homesick Americans and I HAD to snap a pic.

Fly by nite - thanks for adding me to the WHO'S IN TOWN list!

-HD
i actually think i remember that store. should be easy to find. if not that store then a similar one. i saw one with a bunch of american stuf..strawberry mellow fluff, fruity pebbles and other crap. had a good laugh and thought what a bad example of american food. even american junk food. i love the code red dew though! imagine they want atleast 10 euro for that 12 pack though. id still pick one up though. not sharing though! muahaha.

Posted: Mon 27th Jul 2009 12:51 pm
by Valo
Still catching up on some recent reports and really enjoyed reading this one, was well written and told.

Great pics to add also, appreciate u sharing them with us.

Posted: Mon 27th Jul 2009 09:22 pm
by bigbuds
Valo wrote:Still catching up on some recent reports....
+1!

always enjoy your TR's HD, just endulged myself in a full 5 page sitting, and it was splendid as always. Like listening to a good presenter/sports commentator on radio, your writing really sets a scene and puts you right in the city.

Shame your next trip is oct30th, me and my GF are over earlier in the month, meeting up would have been fun. As always a great inspiration for our upcoming visit, Im sure we'll tread in your footsteps at some point.

And wowowowowoweeee re: job situ! How tremendously ridiculously lucky/apt/fated is that?? I cant beleive your actually going to do it straight away though, thats great seizing of the moment, I would defo be umming and ahhing, worrying and delaying, good on you both. I hope its a great success and obv await the reports that are sure to accompany.

Thanks again for teh TR

matt

Posted: Wed 29th Jul 2009 02:13 am
by HasjDreamer
Valo, BigBuds and everyone...thanks for the good words! It's a pleasure to read everyone's reports, I'm certainly happy to share mine! After all, AREN'T WE ALL THE LUCKIEST MOFO'S IN THE WORLD? I mean, it's like we all belong to this club - hell, ANYONE can join but very few of my own friends have taken the plunge. They know not what they are missing!

That being said, the decision to wind up in Amsterdam was not made overnight. Our first trip over almost 15 years ago - after we had explored other parts of Europe and the UK - made us feel strangely comfortable and "at home". My travelogue states appropriately "somehow the flight doesn't seem so long". We travelled through '01 before we took a 5 year hiatus mainly because we were SO touristy we felt like we explored all we could (what a joke!) and had approached Amsterdam as a strict holiday destination (like we did New Orleans - a place to get drunk and walk up and down the streets). On our born again trip in '07 we never stepped foot in the RLD (or the coffeeshops within) and discovered a culture, a society, a way of life that ALLOWED the coffeeshops to even exist that impressed us so.

We talked about the possibilities - subscribing to all the expat newsletters and researching jobs. Each trip (what, 3 more?) we began to focus on other things - food, street art, scootering (!) and smoke, although a major part of the holiday, was no longer the MAIN focus. At THIS point we realized that, yes, we COULD "really" live here.

Serendipity kicked in BIG time - my job was offered to me while checking email at, of all places, POPEYE'S whilst smoking a hasj cig phatty and sipping on a coffee. I had already tentatively accepted another position (hence the trip) but REALLY wanted to work here and, well, to get the offer in Amsterdam WAS destiny.

Posted: Wed 29th Jul 2009 05:39 pm
by spidergawd
Best of luck guys :)
You'll be able to join Soulrider for all the M&G's (Its a hell of a job, but somebody has to do it I guess). :) :)