Save the specifics we make it to the local airport with time to spare for some delicious hot wings, thanks to the wifes cravings. Beat the hell outta the crap Roast Beef sandwich I brought. Flight over is smooth. Nice touch on the personal screens playing your choice of DVD, audio and/or status screen for flight progress. I love watching the little plane getting closer and closer to Mokum on the map as the flight progresses. The wifes' flight wasn't so pleasent due to some jerk behind her shaking her seat throughout. She of course got no sleep and was pissed and tired upon arrival. Who could blame her. Probably made it worse that I was out for the 75% or the whole thing. Not funny but... arrive a half hour early at 9:45am.
We forego the usual stop at Central CS for the first high due to bags in tow and a tired state. Instead we head straight to the #1 Tram and our apartment, post hassles with the ATM's and a slow cue at Holland Tourism to get our phone card, train and tram passes at Schipol. Regardless, I've still gotta smile from ear to ear knowing that it's before noon, the weather is sweet, sun is shining and of course... We're IN Amsterdam for 8 Days!
Make it to the apartment a half hour to spare before our host is due to arrive. Chance just has it that we're a block south of De Kabouter CS off Ruysdaelkade in De Pijp. A quick 5-10min stroll up and back and we're now much the better with a hastily rolled doob of a gram each of King Hassan and White Widow. Half of it toked down and the wife's mood has dramatically improved. God bless her. The gear is the first of the trip and of course impresses us both. The service at the shop was fine although far removed from the tourist scene of Centrum and no English being spoken whatsoever. A recommended stop, but not necessarily hang. A locals place.
Good thing we've got a good buzz on. Little did we know what state our apartment would be in. Our host arrives and up the stairs to the first floor we trek. Nice all wood floors, beautiful canal view. Unfortunately dirty and dusty as hell. Kitchen and bathroom disgusting. Thankfully there were cleaning supplies there so we commenced to cleaning for the first 2.5 hours of arrival. Like I said before... We're IN Amsterdam. *grin* Once it's cleaned we're golden.
Smoking the remainder of the De Kabouter doob I finish up cleaning as the wife takes a well deserved nap. In the end the place was spotless and we couldn't have been happier, sans the 20 euro cleaning fee that WE ended up having to work off anyhow. A little rearranging of furniture, a trip to Albert Heijn, HEMA and the Flower Market gave the place well deserved boost. The Albert Heijn grocery list consists of essentials such as brews, cheese, chocolate and stroopwafels. Life is officially grande, now it's off to find some gear. Time is 4:20pm, I shit you not.
Tram 3 to the Wibautstraat Metro and we're walking out in front of Central CS no less than 15min later. Turns out Central CS will be a well deserved and appropriate first CS experience for the wife, as it was mine. After confirming our "heavy smoker" status with the friendly long haired, bearded dealer the wife settles on "XXX" as a recommendation for something sweet and tastey. The choice doesn't disappoint in the least either. A very sweet, almost bubblegum, fruity goodness that is Indica stone but not tooo heavy. An obviously well timed pick and very well cured with massive trichs. The wife appropriatley describes the experience to this point as "Whoooosh!", as gaze in a daze out onto the Stationsplein from the front window. Sipping on our cappucinnos and savouring the "XXX".
Off to Warmoesstraat and Baba Headshop for the obligatory small glass bowl (6euro) and a GIGA size party cone. Soon to be filled with Grey Diesel, unbeknownst to us both. More on that later. Baba Headshop kicks ass for stock, location and friendliness. Tops shop for all your paraphanelia needs.
Munchies setting in and Maoz Stand becons from the North end of Damrak. The wife's first Falafel goes over pretty well. Wish I could get these things back home as I dig the hell out of 'em. Nothing like vegetarian enchilada balls. Watch out for those Hot Sauces though. Yowza! Stick with yogurt sauce.
Tram 25 down to Ceinturbaan and walk down past Sarphati Park to the apartment. Nice 10min stroll to get acquainted with the neighborhood. The 6-pack of Grolsch Kanons (11.6%) from Albert Heijn earlier were a welcome sign upon reaching the apartment ! As was the unfinished doob of "XXX" from Central CS that had yet to be dented. The time was now approaching 9pm and what's the first thought in my head upon settling in with my Grolsch and some tunes?
Kastu!
Of course. Cannot resist. Must go to kickass Coffeeshops as long as I can possibly withstand the Sandmans' grasp.
10 minutes stroll and I'm staring 2g of G13 X Haze, a gram of Haze Ice and .5g of Crystal Clear in the face. Katsu has been officially visited. The Hawaiin Haze was tempting but just wasn't lookin' choice enough comparitively. Gotta love Katsu and their gear but not so much on the pre-bagged factor, as with Central CS. Friendly older blonde behind the counter. As always I never fail to spend a good 50-100 euro upon each visit and always come away satisfied. They take pride in their gear and it shows.
Back to the apartment to enjoy the fruits of my labors. And enjoy I did. Bed by 11pm with the last of the "XXX" Doob, a Grolsch from the freezer and some samples of the wares from Katsu via the new glass pipe from Baba.
Did I mention life is grande?
Amsterdam 2006 Pics
HOLY SHIT 
