nOOb help!

[PatMcrotch]

Hello everyone I am making the jump across the pond for the first time and I need a little input from all you veterans. I havent seen any info on what areas to stay away from at night besides the vondelpark? Is that it? The reason I ask is because I have never been out of the states and I am trying to obtain as much info as I can. I went out a bought a frommers eventhough the majority of the people I spoke with laughed when I did. Jus cant understand why? Did I commit a faux Paux or something?

[FlyByNite]

Use a little street smarts. Amsterdam is generally safer than most American cities. The police have cameras all over town.

You will be approached by someone wanting to sell you "charlie". A firm NO! will go farther than it would anywhere stateside. You can Dutch it up a bit and say NEE! ( pronounced nay like hay ) in about the same tone as the NO! would have.

The most common crime is nonviolent pickpocketing, secure your valuables.

Try not to look or act like a victim. I just don't understand folks that space around Amsterdam listening to their iPod. They are shouting to the pickpockets that they are paying little or no attention to their surroundings and would make very easy targets.

You may want to purchase one of THESE. Back that up with the ACD Coffeeshop Map and you will be good to go.

Be alert and you'll be safe in just about any part of town you will likely be in.

Enjoy
FlyByNite - Travel preference, not business practice

Coffeeshop Frog Hollow
home of the
Whos In Town
and
Coffeeshop Menus
pages.

[gapie]

Hello everyone I am making the jump across the pond for the first time and I need a little input from all you veterans. I havent seen any info on what areas to stay away from at night besides the vondelpark? Is that it? The reason I ask is because I have never been out of the states and I am trying to obtain as much info as I can. I went out a bought a frommers eventhough the majority of the people I spoke with laughed when I did. Jus cant understand why? Did I commit a faux Paux or something?

we can meet up and i will show u around the dam and shops and the weed what we got over here

[DaveS]

FlyByNite, as always, has hit the nail on the head!

Keep an eye open for shady characters following you around - a few years ago I had a couple of guys following me and a friend when we arrived late at night with rucksacks on our backs as we made our way to the hotel to check in... I stopped when I sussed what was going on and turned around and stared them down. As soon as they realised they'd been spotted, they shuffled off - if you look like a target, you are a potential target for these scum. Show them no fear, unless there's twelve of them and one of you and you'll be fine.

There shouldn't be any need to lose your temper with the crackheads whispering "charlie", just be firm and say No (I've found great results with "Niet" - they seem to be more scared of Russians for some reason!), but you don't want to suddenly find more of them crawling out of the woodwork while you're angrily squaring up to one of them!!

There are police all over the place and with the CCTV coverage, there are few places you would feel unsafe at any time of day/night. It's a great city and you should have a ball - just don't take pictures of the girls in the RLD or you may find yourself swimming in the canal!

Maps are very useful, but there are lots of interesting places you'll come across by accident and after a while, you'll find your way around like one of the locals!

You've come to the right place for the best info, buddy - I've been going to Amsterdam for years and years and I still find great advice and help from the majority of the posters here!

Have a great time (and don't buy the weed from The Grasshopper!)

[geoffk]

I went out a bought a frommers eventhough the majority of the people I spoke with laughed when I did. Jus cant understand why? Did I commit a faux Paux or something?

Frommers sucks. They aren't made for us stoners, in fact I think they are made for the kind of tourist that would be satisfied eating at McDonald's and buying a pre roll from Bulldog.

Lonely Planet is an alright book, but my favorites are
http://www.ricksteves.com/books/update/bk-rs-ams.htm for the practical stuff. Good for first timers and Rick Steves gives props to Grey Area and Siberie amongst others.

and http://www.xs4all.nl/~getlost/amsterdam.html

[PatMcrotch]

wow thx for all the replies. As for the guide book for someone who has never made a trip like this before I find it to be pretty informative such as knowing the location of cs and tram lines and surrounding areas out side damrak. I have just simply left out the tours section of the book and modified it to suit my needs using the info I have obtained here.

[drayman86]

I went out a bought a frommers eventhough the majority of the people I spoke with laughed when I did. Jus cant understand why? Did I commit a faux Paux or something?

I've been reading several different travel guides over the last month or so (Frommers included), and each type serves its own purpose. From the Wiki Travel site to Frommers to How Not To Get Hit By A Bike, all have pluses and minuses.

[ramses]

I bought an amsterdam moleskin from moleskins.com. They include a bunch of maps and then the rest you fill in. There are sections for addresses, places you wanna see, places to write your thoughts. There are even blank tabs that you can customize to your preference. The maps have a transparent film that you can trace routes on and map out directions. When your done with you trip, you have your own customized guidebook!

[D-lyfe]

The best guide ive found is wikitravel.com...Amsterdam is pretty safe though.. the states are so much worse.. but people in the redlight will ask u if u want "charlie" as the others have said.

[sh@dy]

Amsterdam is a very safe city, its the same as in every other big city, stay away from the dark dark streets and try not to be alone.....thats everything