The party is officially here. Our friend from England is due to arrive today at 11am. The wife ain't down with the early rise so I wake her up around 7:30am after chillin' with my morning doob and a leisurely get it together. Thinking I was gonna get it all together with an ATM stop and some Tram Passes at the VVV in Leidseplein I head out on the bike at 8am.
ATM no go (similiar to the Schipol diliema upon arrival-won't accept card). To top it off the VVV ain't open yet. Back to the apartment, but a 5-10min ride away. Gotta love the bikes mi amigos. If I had been waiting for trams the morning would've been shot.
By this point it's time to recoup at the apartment via some White Light from Amnesia, nice way to chill after the morning runaround. Laid back and refreshed I'm ready to get this shit knocked and way before 11am. Back to Leidseplein. Now the VVV has a line from hell and only two counter people to help. Avergae wait is 15 minutes per counter. "F" this shite. Off to Centraal VVV via the bike. Long line again but 6-7 attendents at the counters. Grab a ticket and within 15 mintues I'm out with Tram Passes in hand. Haul ass back to the apartment while taking in all the sites along the way. Got back just in time for our friend to arrive and exchange pleasentries. Nice time to take a smoke break too of course!
The wife and friend are off to do some shopping leaving me with the afternoon free after getting them to where they need to go. That being Nieuwendijk and some shopping places. Thankfully I've got an extra map just for the occassion and everything is cool once we get situated. Ya know, it's cool to guide people through Amsterdam and see their reactions to things for the first time but when it comes to shopping, I'm out. Where the hell is Nes Cafe?!!!
Seeing as how I'm in Dam Square and it's 1pm-ish, I figure prime time to drop in on DC. Thanks to the pics from the 420 Meet I know who to look for. Upon arrival there he is, behind the bar in a quite dead place, having just opened. I stroll up to the bar and flash a "Spock" sign and a "Live Long & Prosper" to a cheery grin. As cheery as a guy can be for just arriving at work. It is Queensnight afterall.
We settle through our introductions and are discussing this that and the other whilst I sample the menu. Shiva Cross, Stella Blue and Grand Cru were my picks upon checkin' out what was on offer. DC recommended one or the other, if not all. I can't recall. Should've took advantage of the fine offer of brews, but got a coffee instead. God knows why?!!! DC brings over "The Book" and I sign with great respect to my fellow CS lovers. An honor it is mi amigos. Get to tokin' up on the Grand Cru/Stella doob and chattin' away. A couple of underage chicks wander in adn end up pissin' DC off. Eventually things start gettin' busy and I bid my farewells. Cool hang nonetheless and DC is tops, although I could've gone for that "Spock Doob". *wink*
Roll over to Grey Area to look up some of my "fav" to this point, the Grey Diesel. Mmmmmmmm... End up meetin' the new Brit Budtender and he is quite laid back and fits right in. Can't recall his name but I settle on a few nice buds of Grey Diesel, Grey Haze and a couple grams of Golden Soles. He tried to sell me on some Recon upon my asking his recommendation, but I didn't care for the look or smell ot it. Think I got some Afghani Hash too. Powerful. People. The absolute top choice of the trip was a big 'ol pure Dutch doob filled with Grey Diesel & a gram of Golden Soles. Smooooooooth and Tastey. It'll burn forever with the hash in there too. A must DO!
Another quick thing I've gotta mention about Grey Area is the fact that you can ALWAYS pick out your bud of choice from the tub. Whatever looks tastiest and fits the bill size-wise. Dispense with the gram by gram formalities... I want "that" one. IMO, a subtle sign of a "top" shop. Nes & Amnesia are cool this way too. Nothing like comin' away with a 7-8g cola in yer hand. Have them discount ya on the stem if you go that big though. And for God's sake take a picture.
By now it's only 2:30p or so and I've got a little more than an hour to kill before the 420 Meet. Hmmmm, all alone, no responsibilities/meets, a pocketful of dope and euros. Now what? Head over to the RLD to take a stroll. It's suprisingly dead. Either that or all the curtains were drawn because they were all busy. Not too many people on the streets though. Construction on the Canal sucks. Really f'd up the view out of Excalibur this year. Hit up Susie's Saloon for a few brews and ran into some fellow musicians from Texas, I believe. Dude plays bass for Johnny Van Zandt, the brother of Ronnie from Lynyrd Skynyrd fame. Nice guys and good conversation. Smoked up all sorts of goodies during the process, none of which I recall now of course, surely somthing from Grey Area from me.
All right, off to De Kuil for the annual HIP Forums meet. For those unaware, HIP Forums is another Amsterdam Forum and a bunch of us hook up each Queensday. De Kuil is different without the pool table but still has a great vibe, and brews! Checked out some real nice Neville's Haze during our short stay. Not nearly as long as I would've liked. We had to bail early and get our friend checked into her hotel then get ready for our 7pm Dinner reservations at Casa Di David. There is NEVER enough time in a Dam Day, ya know? Priorities.
Casa Di David was amazing! Highly recommended. Reservations are essential and I had made them back in March. On a tip I reserved a table next to the window upstairs. Beautiful view overlooking the Singel canal. The place is right across the canal from Dutch Flowers basically. Excellent service, vibe and of course food. Check it out for a nice evening meal with your better half or friends. Will definitely be returning next year.
8:30p rolled around and I bailed to go and hook up for an evening cruise with the HIP Forums crew up by Siberie. It was pretty cold out and the ladies bailed on me to hang in the comfort of Casa Di David and shoot the shit, like old friends do. Gave them a chance to do their thing anyhow. Not me though. I ain't missin' an evening cruise of the canals with fine amigos and smokeables. Don't care how cold.
9pm and we're off for what was to be a very "strange journey". Good strange. Lots of new folks this year. All of which are a riot and excellent company. Inspite of the cool start, the wind let up and it wasn't nearly as brutal temperature wise once we got goin'. Some would disagree. Made our way through the main canals around the Center including the RLD. The coolest part for me was having some good tunes rollin'. Made it really memorable, outisde of the fine sights, smoke and company. I've got some video and will upload it soon. Mi amgio Mike posted some pics at the link below.
Queensnight Canal Cruise 2006 Pics
After the cruise the 'ol "catch the last tram by Midnight" thing was the order of business. I hate that! I feel like it's a curfew or something. Lesson learned on staying down in De Pijp when the party is up in Centrum half the time. Of course I don't have the bike due the dinner res earlier. Made it down to Overtoom on the #1 and tried to make it over to the #3 to book it over to Ceinturbaan but no go, too late. Wouldn't be the same if I didn't have to hoof it at least once per trip. Not a bad walk though. Always helps to be puffin' away on something sweet while takin' in the evening sights. Make it home and the sandman was waiting.
Tomorrow...
Queensday 2006!!!!! Amsterdam 2006 Pics
At 15 euro a go (even with staff discount) I'd owe money at the end of me shift nevermind gettin paid, if 3 of ya's came in at once. 
A real quick reply too! At least I'll eat one proper meal while we're there!