Well it’s almost a week now since I have been back and I think I am now ready to try to write a trip report after the last few days I have been recovering greatly.
I traveled from the east coast on a 7-hour plane ride on an overnight flight to arrive at schiphol at 5:15AM. Great flight coming in, very empty had no one sitting next to me- dream that came true.... flew northwest and they didn’t charge for drinking Heineken on the plane sweeeet. About 10 minutes prior to arrival in Amsterdam my plane got struck by lightning. This never happened to me before so needless to say I had no idea what to expect. I thought for a second, oh shit im going down, why god couldn't this happen on the way home, not before the trip, noooooooo. I saw the brightest light possible felt a big bump; the lights flickered and then the pilot came on, "ladies and gentlemen we did just get struck by lightning but everything is ok and we will be landing in 10 min. The Asian stewardess across from me was freaked out saying she had heard of this before but never experienced it.
Once we landed I felt the bitter cold, but because of the near death experience had a big smile on my face so excited to be back in the DAM.
Everything was so smooth, got off the plane, went to the bathroom, walked about 1/4 mile to the luggage claim, right through customs without a wait and directly to the atm machine across from the burger king...Took out 200 euro for the day, then it was time to wait for my pal Frank..Frank was on a Continental flight arriving at 8:30AM. Before the trip Frank and myself mapped out a timeline of where we would both be if I choice to jump on the train and head towards central, there were about 5 possibilities: me still at the airport, me at the greenhouse effect hotel(we stayed in the lounge suite-highly reccommend), me having breakfast at Barneys Uptown, Me smoking at the greenhouse effect, me in the red light district.
As it turned out, it was snowing slightly pitch black outside and I figured this wasn’t just my trip, this was our trip together; so I decided to wait for my pal Frank. Now what to do??
I don’t regularly smoke cigs, but in Europe I do, so I went to a store in the airport and bought 2 packs of Davidoff, European cigs. Still 5:45AM I spotted a Starbucks open and ordered a cappuccino. The airport was like a ghost town changing every second into a mad house...I went outside to enjoy a cig w/ my cappuccino. I came back inside found a seat put my ipod on, finished my cappuccino, and just snoozed for a bit. I got up periodically to check Frank’s plane status. I had one of those airport carriers for my bags so it was real easy going back and forth.
I was getting hungry and I was debating over muffins and croissants or burger king. To my better judgment at 7AM I prob. should have chosen the muffin, but I looked over and saw the big king with fries and a coke and I couldn’t resist. Big King it was and it ended up A- OK.
After eating I moved over to the train ticket center and purchased one-way tickets for frank and me for today and again on the 10th when we come back. I suggest doing this ahead of time so on your last day, when your usually rushing to your plane you do not have to stop and purchase tickets.
8:30AM- Frank's plane landed and was circling to the gate. At around 8:50AM Frank walked out of the arrival door and I threw my hands in the air listening to my ipod, lets goooooooo!!!!!Frank had a smile on his face as well, and after a quick atm stop for frank we proceeded down stairs to board the train to central.
We hopped on a train real quick. The train was pretty crowded but not packed, I standed on the train trying to shake off this jetlag. 20 min. go by so fast and the doors open and we are in The City of Amsterdam. I drop down to my knees and thank god I am back. We proceed to walk across the bridge towards and up Damrak. I quickly remember how careful you have to be of bikes, trams, and cars. Going down damrak, I see the Grasshopper on my left and The Sex Shop sign so I know exactly in what direction to head. I pass the Grasshopper on my left and then Baba on the corner on my right and make a left hand turn on Warmmostratt. A couple of shops over on the right hand side is the Greenhouse Effect....A deep sigh of relief and I take a seat at the bar...I kindly explain that I am early and ask if I can store my bags...They tell me not to worry my room( the Lounge Suite; across the street one floor up on top of hill street blues) was ready...They gave us the key and also told us to enjoy the breakfast buffet. We filled up our bellies, and then went to the apartment....The opening of the hotel/apartment door is a big part of the trip. It’s like opening up a present at Xmas. This is going to be my safe haven for the week and you only hope that you are comfortable there. I walked in and was very happy with what I saw. A bedroom with two beds on the left, continue down the hall and the bathroom on the left, down the hall and another door with the toilet, continue further and it opens up into a huge living room. Black leather couch, coffee table, four-seater circle table, refrigerator, stove, sink, mini bar, silverware and cooking utensils (not like we planed on cooking anything). We put down our bags looked at each other and nodded our heads to approve. I lied down on the bed lit up a stogie and mentally prepared for the week to come; then I heard Franks voice: LETS GO!!!!!!!!
Amsterdam Dec. 4th-Dec. 10th
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jollylittlehun
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elevatorman
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Dec 4-Dec 10th Continue......
I put the stogie out in the ashtray and jumped out of bed..I grabbed my coat put on my Merrill walking shoes, scarf around the neck, travel wallet under my shirt and I was ready to explore…..I left Frank in charge of the room key because I did not want that responsibility…We left our apartment and didn’t go that far…. Frank and I have been to Amsterdam many times before so this time we discussed that we wanted to ease our way in (you will see in a little bit that we did the exact opposite but at least we started with the mind frame of starting easy…So we went across the street to the Greenhouse Effect, where we got a discount, and decided to start off easy by getting some of their most powerful stuff. 1 gram of NY diesel please….
We sat by the window with a small round coffee table weed and papers out, water and a cappuccino on my side, Frank with a Looza. We grinded up the entire gram a rolled two J’s. Smoked them up and began to smile, oh how its nice to be back. After a seven hour plane ride, the journey through the airport, the train to the hotel and one gram down and its only 11AM and I am right back to where I left off a year ago.
The smoke was nice but mellow compared to what the dam has to offer; a good first smoke for the experienced toker..Okay where to next: do we go back to the room and take a nap? Do we get some more NY Diesel and roll it up? I look at my watch 1130AM. The only thought that enters my mind is that Grey Area opens at 12PM. Get up Frank; lets get the move on and head to the Grey Area to be the first customer of the day.
Walked past Damrak to the Singel and within minutes arrived at the Grey Area. We got there around 1150AM, so had time to smoke a cig and take in the entire scene. We had a conversation with a bud delivery guy who was leaving the Grey Area, and he was letting us know what the new batches were and that we chose an excellent time to visit. Right after the Cup when the crowd thins out and the excellent bud is still there. The best time to visit…1205PM and the door swung open….One of the Grey brothers was at the counter and I always remember his smiling face. I practiced going over there menu over and over again in my head, but when I got there I needed to stare at it for a while soaking it all in. Ok, time to place my order: 1 gram Martian mean green, 1 gram Chocolope, 2 grams LA Confidential. I get a free lighter and ask to borrow a pipe, because Frank and me had yet gone to purchase over smoking paraphernalia. I take a seat with my back to the window. Now the thing that is rough is everything in Europe is so small and I’m a big guy. So just moving around people, taking off my coat and trying to find a spot to put it, and not knocking anything over or getting in anyone’s way is troublesome enough. But hey, I’ll deal with it.
Now, I am thinking back to November of 2006, when I was at the Grey Area and someone sitting next to me let me try the Martian Mean Green. Since then I have been searching for it and could not find it. I opened the bag and smelt the Mean Green; I was so excited to pack a bowl. I packed it up while Frank was making his purchases and took a nice rip…. Wowwww, it sent me back to 06…A wicked hit, one hit and I was on cloud nine, made the ny diesel feel like tobacco…It went right to my head and came on strong, a little anxiety even kicked in, I was a little surprised…. Those damn little green Martians dancing around I grabbed the bud and studied it, WOW…Frank sat down and he saw me and just smiled, he knew exactly what had just happened…
Frank purchased: Obama Haze, Big Buddha Cheese, Lemon Skunk, and Grey Crystals….Now it was time to put Frank to the test…The story goes a year back to past November when we were last in Amsterdam…I arrived a day earlier for the CUP and Frank came in and met me at the Grey Area…I was smoking a Joint of Chocolope and passed it to him to smoke (his first smoke after a 7 hour plane ride without even any food in his stomach). He sat down and tried to roll a joint and failed miserable; his paranoia even believed that others in the shop were laughing; but it was mainly I causing a scene and stirring up laughter. To that date Frank vowed for redemption at the Grey Area.
Thinking of that moment and also knowing of what the MMG just did to me I set Frank up big time. Just before he was about to roll a joint of Obama Haze I passed him the pipe of MMG. He took two nice hits and then started breaking up the Obama Haze…
I watched with much interest as he rolled his joint; really stoned he struggled but looked to accomplish his goal. He lit the J and smiled in victory; but while passing me the joint rolled with juicy jay papers we both noticed that it was rolled backwards on the reverse glue side of the paper…We both laughed and Frank put his head done in shame, again phantom laughs throughout the shop…It will have to be till next time for Frank to redeem this defeat….The obama Haze was real nice too, very smooth and nice looking. We finished the bowl of MMG and both looked at each other and laughed---Start out easy, who were we kidding….Anxiety racing in, it was time to get up and walk around and get some cold Amsterdam air….I love to smoke then get up and walk around and take it all in; its pretty refreshing…We waved goodbye and see you soon to the Brother Grey.
Where to next?? Down Singel and off to Barney’s…….We passed by one of Franks fav. Shops along the way :The Greenhouse United….But we stuck to our plan and went to Barneys……I looked over the menu and in months preparing for this trip I already knew what I wanted: Bleu Cheese, Crimea Blue, Laughing Buddha, Willie Nelson(which was out of stock during my trip),G-13, Hawaiian Snow, and Chocolope. My goal was to get about 3 grams of assorted strains today but when I shouted out my order, 3 grams of G-13 came out….Last years cup winner and one of my all time great smokes, the G-13 haze…..Even the bud tender told me it was his favorite and it took him a full year of smoking it to fully understand the strain…It is an obsolete must try for anyone…the haze smell is brilliant, point on…The taste is so hazy and smooth. The key word is smooth.. It makes you feel like you are walking on clouds and the smoke is one of the smoothest around. I was happy with my purchase and Frank smiled “excellent purchase”. I also got a gram of Nepal Temple Balls. Nice inexpensive hash that mixes well with most joints.
Frank bought some Laughing Buddha and some Honey B. I don’t remember the honey b, but the laughing Buddha was a great wake and bake smoke, a little dry: its like when you wake up in the morning and scrape what ever you have on the table into a bowl and smoke it. Still a good high. After our purchases we walked back to the hotel. Smoked a few more joints and then sat down on the couch for a little bit….Hunger was about to hit in…Where to eat?? We looked outside our window (which was an excellent view; people watchers would absolutely love it; view of warmmostratt, by the baba souvenir shop, and the greenhouse effect and bar) and saw heavy snow coming down…We wanted to find some food but not travel far….Well being stoned and not knowing what you want, can end up making you walk around in circles. That’s exactly what happened to us…After about 25 minutes of just absolutely staggering around we ended up at the Wok to Walk on our street about 10 stores down from our apartment. Nothing is a waste of time because we needed that walk of fresh air and some exercise to warm our body up… I remembered reading up on the wok to walk and heard very good things about. I placed my order of noodles with beef in a sweet and sour sauce. Accompanied by a soda and a water, I grabbed some chop sticks and took my bag to go. Frank got some chicken and rice dish. We brought it back to our apartment and chowed down. It hit the spot alright. The sauce was excellent, the beef was perfect and the noodles were delicious. Thumbs up, a definite recommendation. After our meal we sat by the window, smoked a stogie and watched the snow cover the streets white, an image in my head that will never fade away.
We went back outside to stroll around the Red Light District, then headed back down to Greenhouse United to spend the rest of the night. Greenhouse United is real cool. Walk in to an aquarium underneath your feet. Bud tender on left, continue forward to bar straight ahead. Ordered a hot chocolate upon arrival and took a seat downstairs. There is also an upstairs with a nice flat screen TV. Frank already waiting for me at the Greenhouse, we got split up in the RLD( you know how that goes) had purchased 2 grams of super lemon haze, and 1 gram of Bubba Kush, also 1 gram of super palm hash. I sat down next to Frank drank my hot chocolate and sucked down some J’s of Super Lemon Kush and the Bubba Kush as well. Bubba Kush so-so, but the Super Lemon Kush was right on, having a nice kick to it and looked incredible crystally as well.
We walked back to the room real late grabbing some drinks and snacks along the way…I ended the night passed out on the couch smoking a joint of chocolope from the Grey Area; which was absolutely banging (One of My favorite Smokes of the trip). Frank had passed out during the movie Tropic Thunder, that we were watching on our portable DVD player that has come with us over the past 5 years. Frank ventured off to bed at around 3AM, and I got a little silly passing out on the couch watching Gummy Bears, the cartoon…..Great first day…One of the best and most enjoyable………………………..
We sat by the window with a small round coffee table weed and papers out, water and a cappuccino on my side, Frank with a Looza. We grinded up the entire gram a rolled two J’s. Smoked them up and began to smile, oh how its nice to be back. After a seven hour plane ride, the journey through the airport, the train to the hotel and one gram down and its only 11AM and I am right back to where I left off a year ago.
The smoke was nice but mellow compared to what the dam has to offer; a good first smoke for the experienced toker..Okay where to next: do we go back to the room and take a nap? Do we get some more NY Diesel and roll it up? I look at my watch 1130AM. The only thought that enters my mind is that Grey Area opens at 12PM. Get up Frank; lets get the move on and head to the Grey Area to be the first customer of the day.
Walked past Damrak to the Singel and within minutes arrived at the Grey Area. We got there around 1150AM, so had time to smoke a cig and take in the entire scene. We had a conversation with a bud delivery guy who was leaving the Grey Area, and he was letting us know what the new batches were and that we chose an excellent time to visit. Right after the Cup when the crowd thins out and the excellent bud is still there. The best time to visit…1205PM and the door swung open….One of the Grey brothers was at the counter and I always remember his smiling face. I practiced going over there menu over and over again in my head, but when I got there I needed to stare at it for a while soaking it all in. Ok, time to place my order: 1 gram Martian mean green, 1 gram Chocolope, 2 grams LA Confidential. I get a free lighter and ask to borrow a pipe, because Frank and me had yet gone to purchase over smoking paraphernalia. I take a seat with my back to the window. Now the thing that is rough is everything in Europe is so small and I’m a big guy. So just moving around people, taking off my coat and trying to find a spot to put it, and not knocking anything over or getting in anyone’s way is troublesome enough. But hey, I’ll deal with it.
Now, I am thinking back to November of 2006, when I was at the Grey Area and someone sitting next to me let me try the Martian Mean Green. Since then I have been searching for it and could not find it. I opened the bag and smelt the Mean Green; I was so excited to pack a bowl. I packed it up while Frank was making his purchases and took a nice rip…. Wowwww, it sent me back to 06…A wicked hit, one hit and I was on cloud nine, made the ny diesel feel like tobacco…It went right to my head and came on strong, a little anxiety even kicked in, I was a little surprised…. Those damn little green Martians dancing around I grabbed the bud and studied it, WOW…Frank sat down and he saw me and just smiled, he knew exactly what had just happened…
Frank purchased: Obama Haze, Big Buddha Cheese, Lemon Skunk, and Grey Crystals….Now it was time to put Frank to the test…The story goes a year back to past November when we were last in Amsterdam…I arrived a day earlier for the CUP and Frank came in and met me at the Grey Area…I was smoking a Joint of Chocolope and passed it to him to smoke (his first smoke after a 7 hour plane ride without even any food in his stomach). He sat down and tried to roll a joint and failed miserable; his paranoia even believed that others in the shop were laughing; but it was mainly I causing a scene and stirring up laughter. To that date Frank vowed for redemption at the Grey Area.
Thinking of that moment and also knowing of what the MMG just did to me I set Frank up big time. Just before he was about to roll a joint of Obama Haze I passed him the pipe of MMG. He took two nice hits and then started breaking up the Obama Haze…
I watched with much interest as he rolled his joint; really stoned he struggled but looked to accomplish his goal. He lit the J and smiled in victory; but while passing me the joint rolled with juicy jay papers we both noticed that it was rolled backwards on the reverse glue side of the paper…We both laughed and Frank put his head done in shame, again phantom laughs throughout the shop…It will have to be till next time for Frank to redeem this defeat….The obama Haze was real nice too, very smooth and nice looking. We finished the bowl of MMG and both looked at each other and laughed---Start out easy, who were we kidding….Anxiety racing in, it was time to get up and walk around and get some cold Amsterdam air….I love to smoke then get up and walk around and take it all in; its pretty refreshing…We waved goodbye and see you soon to the Brother Grey.
Where to next?? Down Singel and off to Barney’s…….We passed by one of Franks fav. Shops along the way :The Greenhouse United….But we stuck to our plan and went to Barneys……I looked over the menu and in months preparing for this trip I already knew what I wanted: Bleu Cheese, Crimea Blue, Laughing Buddha, Willie Nelson(which was out of stock during my trip),G-13, Hawaiian Snow, and Chocolope. My goal was to get about 3 grams of assorted strains today but when I shouted out my order, 3 grams of G-13 came out….Last years cup winner and one of my all time great smokes, the G-13 haze…..Even the bud tender told me it was his favorite and it took him a full year of smoking it to fully understand the strain…It is an obsolete must try for anyone…the haze smell is brilliant, point on…The taste is so hazy and smooth. The key word is smooth.. It makes you feel like you are walking on clouds and the smoke is one of the smoothest around. I was happy with my purchase and Frank smiled “excellent purchase”. I also got a gram of Nepal Temple Balls. Nice inexpensive hash that mixes well with most joints.
Frank bought some Laughing Buddha and some Honey B. I don’t remember the honey b, but the laughing Buddha was a great wake and bake smoke, a little dry: its like when you wake up in the morning and scrape what ever you have on the table into a bowl and smoke it. Still a good high. After our purchases we walked back to the hotel. Smoked a few more joints and then sat down on the couch for a little bit….Hunger was about to hit in…Where to eat?? We looked outside our window (which was an excellent view; people watchers would absolutely love it; view of warmmostratt, by the baba souvenir shop, and the greenhouse effect and bar) and saw heavy snow coming down…We wanted to find some food but not travel far….Well being stoned and not knowing what you want, can end up making you walk around in circles. That’s exactly what happened to us…After about 25 minutes of just absolutely staggering around we ended up at the Wok to Walk on our street about 10 stores down from our apartment. Nothing is a waste of time because we needed that walk of fresh air and some exercise to warm our body up… I remembered reading up on the wok to walk and heard very good things about. I placed my order of noodles with beef in a sweet and sour sauce. Accompanied by a soda and a water, I grabbed some chop sticks and took my bag to go. Frank got some chicken and rice dish. We brought it back to our apartment and chowed down. It hit the spot alright. The sauce was excellent, the beef was perfect and the noodles were delicious. Thumbs up, a definite recommendation. After our meal we sat by the window, smoked a stogie and watched the snow cover the streets white, an image in my head that will never fade away.
We went back outside to stroll around the Red Light District, then headed back down to Greenhouse United to spend the rest of the night. Greenhouse United is real cool. Walk in to an aquarium underneath your feet. Bud tender on left, continue forward to bar straight ahead. Ordered a hot chocolate upon arrival and took a seat downstairs. There is also an upstairs with a nice flat screen TV. Frank already waiting for me at the Greenhouse, we got split up in the RLD( you know how that goes) had purchased 2 grams of super lemon haze, and 1 gram of Bubba Kush, also 1 gram of super palm hash. I sat down next to Frank drank my hot chocolate and sucked down some J’s of Super Lemon Kush and the Bubba Kush as well. Bubba Kush so-so, but the Super Lemon Kush was right on, having a nice kick to it and looked incredible crystally as well.
We walked back to the room real late grabbing some drinks and snacks along the way…I ended the night passed out on the couch smoking a joint of chocolope from the Grey Area; which was absolutely banging (One of My favorite Smokes of the trip). Frank had passed out during the movie Tropic Thunder, that we were watching on our portable DVD player that has come with us over the past 5 years. Frank ventured off to bed at around 3AM, and I got a little silly passing out on the couch watching Gummy Bears, the cartoon…..Great first day…One of the best and most enjoyable………………………..
