Tourist day today. After the big Dutch breakfast we got directions to pick up the tram to the museumplein. Wanted to go to the Rijksmuseum and see the Rembrants and such.
Van Gogh museum is right there as well, Figured both in one day would be overdose on culture. The Rijksmuseum is being renovated, so everything is shoe horned into a smaller area Lots of nice antique silver, plenty of paintings and a couple of cases of antique weapons in the room with "Night Watch" Have seen the reproductions of Night watch and the Drapers guild many times. In person they are overwhelming. The people are all life sized. Seeing the Drapers Guild, L made a bad joke about the size of the cigar box that was on 
. (Drapers Guild is the painting used in boxes of Dutch Masters Cigars) (you know you are getting old if you remember tobacco ads on TV and remember live actors dressed to look like the painting singing the Dutch masters jingle to the camera)After absorbing all the culture we could stand, we wondered over a few blocks and found Vondelpark. Barely stuck our noses in, then left for Leidesplein. Checked in at Boom Chicago to find out the deal on the St. Nick boat tours, then across the way to the Bulldog coffee shop. Yes I know. Total tourist trap, but there is something about this big noisy joint I like. Steps are a bitch, music is too loud and I've never been able to find the can! (toilet) But I don't give a damn! The smoke is good and the place has the best bartenderess I've ever seen (she was there on my last visit too) A dark haired young woman, who's quick as a wink and didn't miss a thing. She make the best hot chocolate in Amsterdam
. The bud tender is cool too, one you get him talking. He never led me wrong on my choice of smoke. And after my first visit always greeted me wit a smile and a good word, maybe it's because we were both old farts. Everyone in here seemed happy and ready to party, no matter when I was there. I bought a pkg. of pre tolled spifs 4 different kinds in its own little cigarette package with a bulldog on it. That was a hoot!! They also had coin fed Internet access that let me check my e-mail and make a post on the forum. Price wasn't too bad for the convenience. A 2 Euro coin bought 20 min and plenty of time to read e-mail and post.
Then down the street to a little cafe on a side street for some lunch. Split pea soup and a meatball sandwich. Both very good. Then to Rembrandtplein, which had been recommended to us. That day it was chock full of stalls selling flowers and bulbs. Hard to resist, but these were marketed to locals and we wouldn't have been able to get them back into the U. S. Never fear, there were many small shops selling all things touristy and Amsterdamy waiting to take your money in exchange for keepsakes of various quality. Delft ornaments anyone?
Back toward the central area and to Basjos. I had heard so much about Basjos, I can't wait to see. Thank you Lemming for the Map online again, it has saved our asses. L reads a good map, also has a fine sense of direction. So he leads us there with no problem.
I like this place,
Dark & cool inside, nice able & chairs outside if you want the Sun, Yes it's sunny and warm. P. s. There is also a nice clean Bathroom, just lovely. James, of the long dreads, is a super nice man. I introduce myself & L, we shook hands all around, I told him I was with the 420 forum and I hoped it was still OK for us to have a meet & greet on Sunday. I got a big smile and an affirmative answer, Bitchen. After this we got coke lites, big bottles and a gram of James's special smoke, wow! Good clean but heavy buzz. Strong head high. This was the best high so far by a long shot.A bit more window shopping. A bit more touristy oohing and aahing at the buildings, a bite of supper at a place we passed, then back to the room and our little terrace on the canal to kick back and smoke up.
