Quick stop in Amsterdam

[NewYork, New York]

I rarely write trip reports. I don't feel my life or my trips are that interesting.
However, I was inspired by Weldon's recent reports. Here goes .......


Arrived in AMS last Saturday afternoon May 1, Kentucky Derby day.
(I love horse racing. Anyone know who won?)

We were already in Europe, having spent the past 10 days traveling in Greece and Turkey. Athens had been a bit of a let down. I had never visited Greece and had wanted to visit the Acropolis my entire life. Obviously it is in ruins, but based upon its reputation, I expected bigger and bolder. I have been to Rome several times and have always said there is so much to see in Rome one could spend your entire life there and never see and do everything. I expected Athens to be the same. Unfortunately, a big part of European (and Greek) history was written by the Romans. I was glad to experience it, but was a bit disappointed.

Turkey was wonderful and Istanbul was a bit overwhelming (as usual). The Turkish people are easily the best (and most persistent) salespeople on Earth. Very polite, but they do not take no for an answer. The Grand Bazaar is not to be missed. It is also gigantic, confusing and a labryinth. I had a map and places I want to visit. I am never able to find any address I sought in there!

Back to AMS

After checking in the hotel, it was time for me to smoke. I had taken the previous 10 days off from smoking, since I didn't want to star in a remake of "Midnight Express". I headed for my favorite shop, DeKuil. Still there. (I had read something before I left that it had closed). Felt a bit like going home, since DeKuil was one of my first coffeeshops. Weed was fine. However, similar to my last visit about 2 years ago, I think the weed in AMS isn't as good as the weed I get in the states. However, the hasj is wonderful, and the caramello at DeKuil was great as usual. Nice mellow hasj high that I always fondly remember.

In addition to DeKuil, I visited a few other shops, including Picasso, Dampkring and Barney's. Grey Area had the strongest weed, but the owner and a few of his buddies were acting a bit anti tourist. Although it was open (it was Saturday nite around 8 pm) they kept the door locked and wouldn't open it when customers knocked. They seemed to get a perverse pleasure in not letting people enter the shop?

Had some pea soup and a wonderful meal at Thai Bird in Zeedjik. I wanted to go to Nam Kee, but it was closed on Sunday. NO museums or any cultural stuff this visit (had enough in Greece and Turkey) but it was nice to walk around AMS (even though it was raining) and just be there.

Bought a kilo of Douwe Egbert coffee and of course lots of Dutch cookies and a few pastries. Visited a great bakery (incredible bread) on Harlaammer Straat (spelling?) Was almost impossible to choose, I wanted one of everything!

Stopped in at the Asoka to visit Tak. Even though I had emailed him, he must have forgotten I was going to stop to say hello. When he opened the door, he had just stepped from the shower. His daughter and son in law were visiting and they were getting started late that day. He was friendly and accommodating as usual. He has had an interesting life. I enjoy listening to his stories of when he worked for Charley Pride.

To sum the trip up, Greece was great, Turkey has a ridiculous number of things to see and AMS is alive and well. The coffeeshops were busy, although a few have closed or changed locations.

One other thing. AMS was especially crowded. I have never seen so many tour groups of almost 30-40 people walking around the RLD. It was almost impossible to move. I had been on New Years eve a few years back and it seemed more crowded the first weekend in May.

[smokedpeppers]

good read, thanks

[Bohannon]

Excellent report...I am in the starting to plan a big trip for next year. I might need some of your input as so far the plan is to fly to AMS and rent a car in Haarlem and head east...or south...or somewhere.

[moe.]

Thanks for the unexpected trip report.

[worldcitizen1723]

nice surprise.

thanks fo taking the time!

btw, I felt the same way last August - tourisism has exploded in Amsterdam
gone are the days of empty streets and quiet wandering

[Banks]

Good work there! Have wondered about Greece myself...

[bogart]

I was thinking of posting a report about my vacation in europe, but if nyny wouldn't condescend to post about Istanbul then I don't dare. I'll just say that the dogs in Vienna seem to be mostly long and close to the ground, what I would call wienet dogs, lol.

[chichi123]

nyny did you buy anything at the Istanbul market? Did you look at any antiques or carpets?

[Old Fart]

Great report NYNY.

[alpha]

Arrived in AMS last Saturday afternoon May 1, Kentucky Derby day.
(I love horse racing. Anyone know who won?)

American Pharaoh.

Nice report, thanks for sharing.

[NewYork, New York]

nyny did you buy anything at the Istanbul market? Did you look at any antiques or carpets?

No Chichi. The only thing that I really wanted to buy was a turkish lamp. They are very beautiful, but made of glass and I don't like to ship stuff. You better know your prices and quality if you shop at the Grand Bazaar.

My wife actually bought a carpet while we were on a tour of Ephesus. All of a sudden we were in the carpet showing room. I looked around and noticed the door was closed and we were the only tourists inside. After being shown dozens of beautiful carpets (the silk ones are amazing) she broke down and bought a small one.

[27guldens]

Nice read, Thank you NYNY

[Weldon]

My very bad! I thought DeKuil was closed. I only did a cursory look down that street and didn't see the sign out when I was there. Never bothered to actually walk down there and give it a good look see. Went there many a time in the past. Sorry I missed it last time. It IS in the same place, right?

The only tour group I saw was in front of Dampkring. I was sitting in the window with Bowie the cat, just ready to smoke a bowl when this group of 30 walked up with their guide so I kind of held off until they passed. I could just hear the guide talking about Oceans 13.

Nice report.

[Generous_J]

Good job, nice report.

I didnt know you were married.

My award for persistent (though shitty) salesmen goes to the inhabitants of the Marakech markets in Morroco.

I've always wanted to go to Greece and see the Acropolis too. I spent 5 weeks going through Italy in 2013. Most people do say Athens is not a nice city, my sister included.

Turkey is an interesting option too.

[smokedpeppers]

plaka is a historical section of athens at the bottom of the acropolis's cliff
on the back side, spent 1.5 weeks in the old part in 00, much enjoyed

Most people do say Athens is not a nice city

[Hobie]

sounds like an excellent adventure

[chichi123]

Man I would give my left tit to go to one of those markets.

[smokedpeppers]

miss you chich .

[chichi123]

aaawww SP. smooch Honeybunny!

[alpha]

aaawww SP. smooch Honeybunny!

Honeybunny? I would've thought he'd been your hand churned butterbunny!

[Banks]

Good lord

[Rudy]

[ANDRE3000]

[quote="27guldens"]Nice read, Thank you NYNY[/quote]


^^^^^^

[Jessica]

Good read.