June 2011. an Amsterdam vacation

[smokedpeppers]

you have the luckiest dog in the world!

<img src="http://riotclitshave.com/2011.05/pij.jpg">

[worldcitizen1723]

peppers - love the picture!

thanks everyone for enjoying the reports - it's fun to share one's appreciation for a place with other like minded folk. Who else would appreciate the nuance other than other Amsterdam lovers?

Hey Bo - no brown cafe's. we do not really drink, in the early trips we explored them a bit, but we have not much reason to visit them

des - the missus would be mighty pleased with you if you remembered some of the restaurant choices. ya can't go wrong!!

day 11

forgot to mention last night in the park outside the perimeters of de kas my friends,
they were fumbling with their bike lights,
(for convenience they rented from Frederick's .... you know the bikes ya get from them.)
They are the old lights, the ones that are generated by hitting the front wheel rim. the newer ones are lit by generator that is fueled by peddling. just need to flick the switch.

Anyway, all of us standing in the path bending over their bikes, a lady walking her dog came over to us
and asked if she could help us. After a bit more of pushing and shoving on those light, she was able to get them to work.
to me that is just another one of those magical Amsterdam moments : >

rainy this morning said we would meet our friends at 9
well, today we did it to them - called them at 9 and said we are moving slow
see you at 10:30
by then the rain had stopped so we got on our bikes and rode over.

they wanted to go back to a music store they had found on a previous visit to possibly buy a base recorder


really beautiful instrument

he thought it was by the university, so I was set to lead them across town
as we pass the Spui, he yells for us to stop. He says the shop is somewhere here
he just needs to get his bearing,
standing looking around
we laugh
all of our bikes are actually
pointing right at the store

they found what they were looking for, a beautiful instrument with a deep resonate voice

i remembered Gartine was somewhere near by.

http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... md%3Divnsm

or (untranslated)

http://gartine.nl/

unfortunately it was closed (it was gardening day for them)
(another place that grows their own food and takes great pride in food)
went to Kantjil on the spuisstraat
had a bottomless bowl of spicy vegetarian pumpkin soup
(really, the more I ate, the more there was!)
and some nuts fried in garlic and lemongrass. the nut idea sound better than it was

see Padi, there are lots of food possibilities for vegetarians.

very clean, calm place to grab a bite of food

went to Kadinsky's to smoke and play some pinball

rode around the canals on our bikes
came back to walk the dog over to coffeeshop 137
our friends left after a couple of joints and we had a great talk with the owner
after seeing us daily for 11 days, we were deemed conversation worthy

he thought the weed pass would not happen. said there is a tremendous government propaganda, but no support for the bill (pretty much the same as Nol says) we talked about how he gets his product and juggles the procurement issues (the specifics of which, i should probably out of respect not broadcast)
he also talked about being in business for 17 years and paying taxes and running an honest business. His smoke is consistent and his prices are quite reasonable, he has a large local clientele. I am liking this place more and more as time goes on. It used to be a bar that sold pot. But once he was forced to choose one or the other he decided on pot. redid the interior of his place, more like a lounge and his local clientele immediately picked up. He said he could not be happier with his business decision

Toscanini

it's just a wonderful Italian restaurant. Really good food, solid straight forward Italian food.
though after the last two nights, seems like really old school dining in comparison
cost is very reasonable. came to 50e a person, but lots of food and two bottles of wine( that took the cost up by 80e (included in the 50e apiece))
so remove the wine and it's 30e apiece for food

frankly, I will be happy for simple home prepared food for the next couple of days.


holy cow
i can't believe it. we walked into Spirit on westersraat
on the front window they advertise a pool table and video games
looking in, you see a large pool table in the back and some video games up front.
for the hell of it, we walked in to the back..

HOW COME NO ONE TOLD ME??????

there are FIVE pinball machines (one out of order) oh my, a minnie arcade!
they are in good condition 1e for 3 balls...
5 pinball machines -- just two blocks away

is this hog heaven or what??!!

what more could i want???

well maybe for this funky sensation in my throat to disappear

think all the damp weather, cool breezes, winds, lack of sleep, have taken their toll on me
hope i am not getting sick




(sorry I do not understand why this is not fitting the page properly)
=

[des]

Have you tried the Golden Temple restaurant down on Utrechtsestraat?

My veggie niece loves the place! You can have dinner and a yoga session for €25 ...

http://www.restaurantgoldentemple.com/i ... &Itemid=80


Peace, Des.

[Couch]

Five pinball machines in one place?!?! Sweet! That shop will go on my list to visit for sure. Which Kadinsky has the pinball machine? I'm pleased to hear Mellow Yellow has one as well as that shop will probably be the closest of the 3. I remember playing an old reel/electro-mechanical pinball at MY years ago. We were 'in the zone' that day, and we racked up enough free credits that we played until we got tired of it and left some free credits on it for the next players. Ah, good times!

[Jessica]

Great reporting - thank you.

I'm extremely envious. How long have you got left?

[padichar]

[quote="worldcitizen1723"]

see Padi, there are lots of food possibilities for vegetarians.

yes thank you I knew there were quite a few vegan place .Could not imagine that many these days. Back when I first started going to the DAM Macrobiotic restaurant were everywhere.


Great pinball session tooo !! Now I get the urge to travel oh well soon enough.

[worldcitizen1723]

(only 3 more days left, leave on sunday)
hate it when you reach this part of a vacation - acutely aware that your time is limited.


Couch: the Kadinsky's with pinball
Rosmarijnsteeg 9
it's the three leveled one near the Spui
the street is directly across from the Amsterdam Museum

day 12

woke up
eyes opened
nose stuffed
throat felling funky

go back to sleep
finally wake up around 9:30 -
i fell beat up
open my mouth to say good morning to the mate who has been up for a while
nothing comes out of my mouth
not a sound. not even a loud whisper
nada

great

i feel like shit

after some coffee (warmth on my vocal cords)
i can make sound
within a half hour or so
i got a voice again

but - not much energy
this is gonna be a really slow easy

start the morning with some
chronic
and
orange bud
from coffeeshop 137.

walked over to onoordwest the restaurant and had some tomato soup

then back over to Spirit (was it a dream?)
oh my gawd
a huge back room filled with pinball machines and empty!

the owner said he was gonna put in even more pinball machines!
JACKPOT!!!

it takes so little to entertain me. : >

(I understand Sound Garden has some pinball also - just have not made it over there)

after an hour or two left and picked up the dog and hiked (for him)
over to Paradox. got there it started raining
really raining
no sprinkles
heavy hard rain
kinda windy and cold
we are not going anywhere
of course i walked out with sandals on my feet ( how stupid can i be?!)
i did at least have socks on

we hunkered down for about three hours studying, smoking their chocaloupe
drinking fresh OJ, then hot chocolate and apple pie.

once the rain stopped we
walked back and boy did i need a nap
got so exhausted at Paradox i wanted to curl up in a ball and just go to sleep
felt like i was gonna keel over

after an hour of shut eye, felt a little more life like
but really no desire to ride a bike
i do not need to feel the wind in my face : <

gee - did i tell you about the wind?
the past two days were okay
but earlier in the week- OMG
riding the bike with the wind coming at you - i swear there were times
I was pedaling as hard as i could and was getting absolutely no where
it was like the wind was a solid wall of energy

the mate is sick too
we were both so exhausted that neither of us could gather food for supper
don't know what to do
do not want to leave the neighborhood
do not really want to get on bikes

wander around
decide to return to barney's
more of their spinach potato soup and hummus. perfect
mate had the veggie burgher
it was ideal.

left feeling nourished
decided to walk over to Spirit for just a little more pinball

and return home
a hot bath and sleep

[Couch]

walked over to onoordwest the restaurant and had some tomato soup
then back over to Spirit (was it a dream?)
oh my gawd
a huge back room filled with pinball machines and empty!

the owner said he was gonna put in even more pinball machines!
JACKPOT!!!

It was empty of pinball machines or empty of people so you had the machines all to yourself?

Regardless, I must go in there and chat the owner up. He sounds like a fellow pinball junkie and collector like myself.

If you think of it, take a snapshot of the pinball room, I'd love to see it.

Hope you're feeling better quickly!

Still, a sick day in Amsterdam is probably still better than a regular day anywhere else!

[worldcitizen1723]

walked over to onoordwest the restaurant and had some tomato soup
then back over to Spirit (was it a dream?)
oh my gawd
a huge back room filled with pinball machines and empty!

the owner said he was gonna put in even more pinball machines!
JACKPOT!!!

It was empty of pinball machines or empty of people so you had the machines all to yourself?

Regardless, I must go in there and chat the owner up. He sounds like a fellow pinball junkie and collector like myself.

If you think of it, take a snapshot of the pinball room, I'd love to see it.

Hope you're feeling better quickly!

Still, a sick day in Amsterdam is probably still better than a regular day anywhere else!

lol
empty of people!!!

only machines : >

yes, if you are gonna feel like crap, this is the best place to be!

[worldcitizen1723]

oh gee

day 13


it is raining hard
i sound awful and am tired
have a very impressive cough
no desire to step outside at the moment
my cavalier attitude about riding and walking in the rain
has caught up with me

the rain is heavy and steady
it is cold and damp even in the apartment
gonna put up the heat
have some coffee
and do some laundry

lol
looked at the weather forecast -
from sunday (the day we leave) for at least the next 5 days it is totally sunny and WARM!
instead of 60F (15 C) with rain, it will be in the 80"s F (26 C) and sunny
talk about bad timing!

I have never been here when it was 80 and sunny!

oh well. now is when we are here and we will enjoy it!
how can you not?? (although, I admit envy for those arriving next week!)

the rain stopped around noon
we took one of those nice long strolls with the dog
soaking up the little nuances
forward leaning buildings
crooked windows
flowers pouring onto the side walks
what a beautiful city!


Stopped at Doors on the Singel to sit and smoke a joint
there are three men in their 60's -70's visiting from the states
they share a joint between the three of them and they are shit faced high, giggling uncontrollably
after awhile one of them leans over to us and says: we've been watching you and have a question,
how come we have watched you smoke three joints, and you two look and behave normally, while we can not
keep it together. We smiled and said in unison, experience.

we were calculating how much we have smoked -
together 8 to 10 grams a day. looking like an ounce every three days (guess these cells are becoming pure thc)

later in the day
stopped by Greenhouse for the HAwaiian Snow (really good - recommended)
sat down for a smoke and ended up talking with 2 other solo travelers
a canadian law student who took his boards yesterday and got on a plane immediately after to come here
he returns to canada in August with a 9 to 5 job waiting for him. He's a wee bit concerned about joining the working
class and the structured time and lifestyle.. (it happens to the best of us)
the other was a skate boarding drop out from florida. He left home at 16, now 20 and traveling and doing skate board competitions.
It was fun talking to two distinctly different types of young men. We were all engaged in animated conversation, when we realized we were all smoking the Hawaiian Snow. It is a really nice "up" high.

okay, it's been 24 hours with no bike
gotta get back on

rode over to basjoe
I admit it is not a place we have been pulled to, just because of location. Not sure why, but ever since we have been coming to Amsterdam, we gravitate to this same general area of the Canal ring and the Jordaan. Stayed in many different apartments and hotels over the years always in this general vicinity, so Basjoe, was never a neighborhood shop. Anyway, wow, we can see why it is held in such high regard on channels. Great friendly and warm atmosphere, nice view, relaxed rhythms inside and out
energetically reminded us of PAradox.
bought the
heavenly haze( sativa)- what they said
bas special (indica) - what they said

really very good. the Haze is stronger in a different way to the snow. The snow is a pure uplifting high. the haze on the other hand has the up of a sativa but also has a low indica tone of being very stoned. basically pulls you down more than the snow. It was funny cuz it seemed you could control the high depending on what aspect of the high you focused in on - focus on the low tones and down you go. focus on the higher tones and you bounce right back up. never really experienced a smoke quite in that fashion before

the Special is not that heavy its a nice high and we think it would be a better day pot. I am not sure about the sativa/ indica information

rode over to Tempo Doloe on Utrechtesraat for dinner. we were given the local table, the private table near the bar. were treated like old family. The hostess had her arm around my shoulder and was leaning in and joking. She was telling me what i wanted before i ordered it. The vegetarian ricetable was fantastic. The flavors were distinct and the food incredibly fresh. (this is a favored spot, as there is nothing like this in NYC)


strolled over to Sevilla for some end of the evening pinball. (I am holding the champion position for at least one more day) EXCEPT the mate did have one kick ass game and got to put his initials on the machine!)

he wanted to go somewhere else, i was afraid of pushing the body too much. So we rode back and were in the apartment by 11pm

another perfect day in paradise.
(sigh)

[FitZerOy]

and another perfect report, loved the red shoes reference amid the reports of stormy weather...wish I could click my heels together & find myself in Basjoe right noo!

[worldcitizen1723]

day 14

the sad/happy days are here.

happy you are here
sad that soon you will not be

the sky is blue
the sun is shining
it is 8:30 and i am thinking wow
may be a second day without rain on our vacation
wouldn't that be fantastic

walk down stairs, make a cup of coffee
look out it is still beautiful

upstairs to put some clothes on and catch this beautiful morning
it is 9am, ready to step outside

open the door
within exactly 90 seconds the dark clouds roll in
the rain begins falling in buckets
this time with thunder and lightning included

well , some much for getting out of the city on a nice long country bike ride
no biking to Haarlem

sit back, smoke the bas special.
the sky begins to clear
we get ourselves ready to escape again
dressed, all our gear on

and

there it is a huge dark cloud on the horizon
within 30 seconds the rain is pelting

with this cold - my body is really reluctant to being rained upon
it's visceral not mental (personally i don't care - but the body has it's own mind)

this cold is a distinctly Amsterdamian phenomenon in it's presentation

i have had this specific cold before especially being here in May.
humm wonder if it is part allergy.

anyway an hour later it looks like it may still be a beautiful day after all


note to self: Please stay in bed until noon and there should be much less problems
(wish i had more time to work on that one!)

stroll around the neighborhood with the dog
he has a girlfriend 4 year old whoopie, she's a shitzu
they greet like young lovers, happy excited and howling.

bike to la tertulia for a visit and some fresh OJ and bubblegum

then

over to the dam and the redlight district

wow has it been changed and really cleaned up,
even more since last year
from what i could see the window girls have been kept to side streets and alleys

geez - there were dutch families with kids and pets picnicking on the side of the Warmosstraat and the Voorbrugwal canals
(sorry for the murderous spelling)
i would never have imagined such a scene 10 years ago

went to the Greenhouse on Voorbrugwal
it was tightly packed,
two seats outside. but we are in the shade and the wind was too much
inside, a couple of stools.
we decide to ride over to Basjoe instead.
certainly the right decision. it too was packed (friday in Amsterdam)
but the vibe was so chill. we were greeted warmly.

I have come to believe that just like the 3 kisses on alternating cheeks that the Dutch offer in greetings
there is a similar formula about meeting people or even being a customer in a shop.
first encounter, you are noticed. second encounter you are recognized. third encounter you are greeted as a friend.
that certainly is the case in the neighborhood, both with the dog owned people, and the shop owners.
Geez, shop owners (from neighborhood places we have frequented) wave with big smiles from inside their shops when we pass.

On the same subject with a tangent: isn't it wonderful that most stores and restaurant are actually OWNED by someone who actually works there and cares?!! I compare this to the corporate monsters that have gobbled up most of the US. filled with dulled workers and no owner who takes pride and responsibility in their product.

there was a new green market at the niuewmarket
a boat went thru the canals playing trance music
and filled with the most beautiful and colorful veggies. the guys
on the boat were tossing veggies to people on the sides on the canals
and on the bridges.

they stopped tossing the tomatoes - they did not work out so well : >
but the mate caught a beautiful zucchini

finally
we went for a foot massage on the zeedjik
well worth the wait
used to be the three sisters shop- now has another name
but has a sign with a couple of feet handing in front of the place
30 minutes feet only 20e
60 minutes whole body 35e
(done fully clothed seated in a big recliner)

really a great delight. I can not imagine anyone not enjoying this treat!

went to dinner at Bolhoed
(vegetarian restaurant on princengracht)
Always good solid clean food


des - have not been to the veggie restaurant on Utrechestraat.
lol - do i really have to take a yoga class to get to eat!!


stumbled upon an outdoor poetry reading accompianed by music
on the street in front of the Red hoed on Keizersgracht
that had a stage, lights and amplification

picked up the dog and walked to
137 to sit outside and smoke the Blue cheese we just bought

returned the dog to the apartment
and tentatively walk over to Spirit, literally two blocks away
to see if a pinball machine might be available friday nite 11pm.

we walk in there are people up front
a dog and owner that i recognize
some men playing cards in the back
and
NO ONE
playing pinball.

So we get an end of the evening pinball hit..

and call it a night.

[des]

des - have not been to the veggie restaurant on Utrechestraat.
lol - do i really have to take a yoga class to get to eat!!

Nah ... I wouldn't eat there if you did! With my glass back they'd probably have to stretcher me out of the place after 5 minutes!

You, on the other hand sound like a bit of a fitness fanatic ... what with you biking it everywhere!


Peace, Des.

[worldcitizen1723]

hi guys- saturday and sundays report will show up a little later.

still writing saturdays (last full day) and today is sunday leaving at 5 in the afternoon. So gonna not spend time on the computer till later - you understand: >

later.......

[kiwi_in_Oz]

hi guys- saturday and sundays report will show up a little later.

still writing saturdays (last full day) and today is sunday leaving at 5 in the afternoon. So gonna not spend time on the computer till later - you understand: >

later.......

enjoy your last day. The time always goes too quickly thats for sure. look forward to the last installment and hope the trip back is a good one as well

[des]

Don't forget the pic of the dog (and any others you'd like to share) when you get home and download your photos!

Peace, Des.

[hebe]

I certainlly have enjoyed your reports.Reminded me of Dogbreath's tales.Keep up the good writing.Lite one for me.....

[worldcitizen1723]

day 15

the last full day

and yes it's raining
according to the weather report
rain all day

tomorrow the sun and the heat wave begins

so it is what it is
i will love Amsterdam in the rain

I am up a 9:30 could not stay in bed any longer
oh I do pray the days unfolds like the others with sun and clear skies in the afternoon

nah, ain't gonna play out that way-
it's walking in the rain, all day. but a nice light rain
with thankfully very little wind

we have little errands today
-a wine glass broke in the dish washer, so we will replace it.
always benefits to take a responsible action,
just in case we want to stay here again. : >

off to blokkers to get a replacement
found a set of 6 glasses, same shape for 4e
wanted to buy one. but couldn't. just bought the six pack and figured we could break 4
and she still would have two glasses. : >

after the foray into the saturday shopping parade -
what a mass of people snaking thru the klaverstraat
no stopping once you enter into that flow
was reminiscent of walking in China, shoulder to shoulder people

after that.
we need a break

off to; abaraxas
wow love their Hawaiian haze
met a gentleman- a wine salesman
born in Canada and living in Brazil
he wanted to share his life's soap opera story
his life was complex, but full of love and respect
he wanted to hear bits of our story
he said at least 4 times that we should:
write a book

(interesting as the night before, prior to drifting off to sleep, I had asked for a sign or direction
as to where my attention should be pointed)

a book? huh...

next step pucinni bonboni
gifts for others and for us

across the street is our next stop
wyngaard kaas http://www.wijngaardkaas.nl/en/proeflokaal/
we meant to do a cheese and wine tasting (but the colds and phlegm kept us away)
anyway
you do not have to actually sign up for a tasting
just walk into the shop
they have samples of all their cheeses FREELY available

all labeled as 6 month old - 1 year old - 2 year old of the same cheese--
amazing how time changes the flavor of the cheese
if you are into such things - it is quite the treat
we bought a variety of cheeses back as gifts and for us too!

back to the apartment with our goodies
grab the dog and then trek to Paradox
the locals declare that what we have is the Amsterdam flu
we are told that it's good for us - make us stronger
the mate grumbles how he understands how people in the past died of the flu

buy space cakes for the trip

meet a group of 4 newly retired folks from N Carolina and Washington
they had first come to Amsterdam on a Rick Steves tour
(which actually took them to Paradox where they were given a lecture
think I actually witnessed one of these many years ago)
this is their return trip. They smoked when they were young, joined the world
and stopped smoking due to work and responsibility. Now that they are retired and in their words: they are ready
to become reunited with the weed.
(there must be a large segment of the population that fits that scenario)
they are a bit uptight. After two tokes they are very stoned, can not hold their train of thought.

We continue to smoke and they are incredulous that we are coherent and intelligent while high

gotta get out and walk
so much to soak in
i tell my feet to pay attention and draw up that wonderful energy into my body

remember

you are here

we roam the nines
walked past a place i had not noticed before
i-talia
http://www.i-talia.net/
could not resist buying a slice of their thick crusted pizza.
OMG - if you are in the area, stop in and buy something to eat
it is pick up and eat on the street food or make a picnic
oh wow DELICIOUS!

take the dog back home
do some basic pre packing organizing

go out and just walk more
(it is too wet for the bikes)

the clouds are so amazing
different than NY clouds
they have more depth,
it's like there are 20 dimensions as opposed to just a mere three

they are like the paintings of the old masters
almost over the top in the ornate billowing shades of light and dark
A Masterpiece above our heads

eventually made our way toward the street that la Perla is on
Tweede Tuindwarsstraat
it is saturday. everything is crowded
but this street tends to get busier as the night goes on.
We spy empty tables at Patio Restaurant,
it is 7:30pm and they are gracious enough to seat us
within 15 minutes the place is packed with local residents

after being seated and looking over the menu, i realize that i
don't really want what they are offering for vegetarians.
when the wait person comes back, I explain my dilemma
and what i would really like to eat
she says no problem and comes back with gently steamed
vegetables in a delicate sauce and rice.

after sustenance
went to Spirit for a last round of
pin ball
again this place is a really quiet local shop
one guy playing a machine.
the others are all available
people quietly sitting around talking, playing cards...

the mate was in fine form and took the title away from me
he will be returning to NY as the grand puba
he is very happy
he deserves it. really.
i have been terribly erratic in my play.

we leave and go
next door for
gelatti

then reluctantly
back to the apartment
for a couple more joints to fortify us before the actual packing

walked up the stairs and we both saw a large gray mouse
dash across the living room floor
nay
too big it was a rat!
we know the difference.
lucky we are relaxed and are just relieved that he seemed to find a way out

pack and sleep
nothing left to do
we have smoked everything we have acquired
turn off the lights
close the eyes
one last goodnight

[Rudy]

Sweet. A real gem of a trip.
Thanks for sharing.

[worldcitizen1723]

thanks hebe and rudy : >

des - if i can i will share some photos - but it may take a while, now- back to work in full swing with a great amount of jet lag. yikes.


day 16
the long goodbye

got to sleep by 2
up at 8

thick clouds
drizzle
sprinkles as the dutch call them

last of the clean up on the apartment
the little stuff
final check under and around furniture
mostly to find errant dog toys
and those forbidden stolen socks
that the dog so enjoys hiding
check out is supposed to be at 11, she gave us till noon, with possibly longer depending on the shape of the place,once she sees it.
there is a check list and strict 'rules of the house' including charging 50e for every 10 minutes you are late in checking out. Since this is a two bedroom and smoker friendly, one gets the feeling that they have had their share of unruly and uncontrollable guests.

hold cow - knew this was gonna happen,
BUT - ----
when it happens,
it is hard to believe.
it is
warm
really
warm!!

geez
tee shirt and tank top weather at 10am!!!!!

OMG
i have NEVER in the 18+ trips I have made to Amsterdam, experienced a day like today
(okay maybe one other time, but still)

it is just beautiful
i understand the next couple days will get even warmer
then a big storm and back to the 60"s

lucky folks who are here now or coming soon!!!

had to return the bikes
more
bitter sweetness
but first a quick spin up to Greenhouse to grab 4 grams of the Hawaiian snow for the morning

then over to Bike City
our bikes are covered in mud
the lady looks at me and asks where we have been??
actually, I am not quite sure, how they became soo dirty.

next around the corner to
paradox
one last juice and plenty of hugs
this place has been a comfortable home spot for many years.
smoked the snow from GH
for some reason they have the best fresh OJ of all of the coffeeshops

back to the apartment to meet the landlady at noon,
she is happy with the state of the apartment and that we are all packed and ready to leave, she calls the cleaning lady and tells her not to come until 3 and allows us to have the apartment until we leave at 2. Great the suitcases have a place to remain.

she also liked the glasses that we bought
we tell her about the mouse - she says it sounded more like a rat
(we knew it was a rat, but did not want her to be put o the defensive)
she thought it was probably due to the renovation next door


she leaves and we grab the dog and go over to 137. really love sitting outside on that corner of Brouwersgracht. it's great for soaking up the sun
Now I have a visreal understanding of why the Dutch take to the sun and sit in it whenever it appears -- after all that rainy damp weather - the sun feels healing. Like an old friend with a kind word and a smile. The sun puts it's arms around you and even dries the lungs

a whole new appreciation of the sun

sitting outside at 137

an Italian couple in their early 30's on bikes lost.
looking confused and harassed.
she tentatively comes over to me and asks if I know where the Greenhouse is.
I nod and they both break into big smiles and lots of chatter
they finally found someone who actually knew where it was!

give them simple directions and send them on their way

then a group of japanese tourists stop and say they are looking for Anne Frank's house
(they are headed in the wrong direction, even though at least 4 of them have maps in their hands)
guess we must look like we belong : >

sitting outside at 137
staring at the roof of the building on the other side of the canal
the roof is that earthen brown
BUT
when the sun hits it
it transforms into a shiny, silvery, scaly....
whoa
it's a fish skin!
really it looks EXACTLY like the side of a fish
I am certain that this is intentional!

really, if you are at 137 on a sunny day,
(or just in the area) look at the roof diagonally across the
canal of 137 and watch the roof turn into a fish skin when the sun hits it

oh and the vibration at Barney's uptown seems to come and go
maybe it's a pump in the cellar or some, but it's not consistent

for those that are concerned - all forms of mushrooms appear easily available
this time around.

walk the dog thru the Jordaan to exhaust him

off to the airport
two joints apiece left
and our space cakes

Schipol is a great airport.
after check in
go
back outside to smoke the last of our herb
where else in the world is this possible?


going thru pockets one last time
mate finds a ball of forgotten hash
we split it and eat it
and say farewell until next time to this place we love.

there is a contemplative calm in the airport.
everything is moving in slow motion

go over to the Dutch kitchen
eat some of the little pancakes
and the mate goes over to the casino
in 10 minutes he makes 40e
we gobble down our space cakes
and off we go
to our gate, fully loded

it is empty
huh?
oh- look

the plane is delayed two hours

shit.

we smoked everything. we hastily gobbled down our space cakes
ate the hash
and we have all this time to kill

how come there's no vape bar at the airport?????

nothing else to do

so we explore the airport.
this is such a great place
so many REAL restaurants with REAL food not just fast food outlets

how many airports have meditation rooms? or museums?
and all the variations on rest areas and lounges.
this place is definitely designed with the comfort of people as the central priority
like dutch design in general

many people seem to have
a compulsion to rub the dogs head
here at the airport.
some sort of luck totem, i suppose

polish couple no words but an exchange of smiles, with head rubbing for the dog
2 cute swiss girls, actually ask permission to pet him -
most people just start touching him - even when I am holding him.
kind of wierd when ya think about it
german couple, no smiles to me, just mumbling to the dog, and a pat on the head

finally

on the plane -----------
.
reflecting on the time in Amsterdam
it was still not enough time.
did not get to haarlem (certainly expected to)
did not get any grand bike treks out of the city
did not get to the beach

i think i would be happy with 4 weeks, but perhaps 12 weeks a year would be perfect : >
note to self: must win the lottery or find a large bag of money

the flight was easy had a tail wind and made it with 6 hours flying time

it was sunset in NY as we landed
from the plane the colors looked like 60s psychedelic day glo paintings
the ground was purple, the water was pink and the sky fuschia
i could of swore i was tripping

life is so curious. the dutch stewardesses were telling us how much they just loved NYC,
it was their favorite destination. Everything is relative. they would rather be here, we
would rather be there. go figure.


we are back
and left to dreaming Amsterdam dreams

[Jessica]

Thanks for taking the time to report on your trip - interesting, and easy to read. Glad you had a good time.

[des]

Great reports WC1723 ... I loved every one! Thanks for making the effort!

Peace, Des.

[Red Pleb]

Nice pace .Thanks . ' Fish Skin' photo, by any chance ?

[chichi123]

I always ask before touching a dog. Thanks for sharing your trip with us and taking the time to post. Can't wait for you to go again.

[Old Fart]

Just when I thought Channels was doomed along comes this fantastic trip report. I don’t know wtf we’re gonna do now that your home.

[worldcitizen1723]

Just when I thought Channels was doomed along comes this fantastic trip report. I don’t know wtf we’re gonna do now that your home.

you can take up a collection and send me back. I promise to report every day!! : >

[boneymaroni]

I join the rest of Channels in congratulating you on a most memorable trip report..good job!

[Couch]

Thanks for the great reports (esp. the pinball info!). Really loved reading your daily updates. I am Amster-dreaming for sure!

[padichar]

World Citizen,

When you get in the motion your style goes from simple reporting to downright poetic...Great report in al aspects. I love the way you described that roof being transformed from plain brown tiles to fish scales, made me want to see this for myself. Funny how a little freedom changes our take on the world.

Your vacation tale is the exact reason I joined channel, the trip reports gave it IMO that something special that prompted me to join. Even without freedom to toke AMS is really a very special city in Europe. Don't we just love the Venice of the North?

Fortunately, I do not have to wait long before the Amsterdam swoon hits me in full

Thank you so much.

[winnie]

thanks for taking the time WC... what a great read.... going to try to find the foot massage place :)