A-dam vacation tips requested

I had a friend stay at the Rookies on his first trip. He had nothing but good things to say. If I remember correctly, it is above the Rookies Giftshop... and not the coffeeshop. He especially enjoyed it because they are definitely smoke friendly. The hotel I stayed at housed MANY Cannabis Cup judge's and employees... most of which received a note on their door by the second day, reminding guests about their NO SMOKING policy :wtf: Although, you could smoke with the door open on the first floor?? :wtf: Yeah, luckily we had some friends on the first floor :jointsmile:
- I guess that's what you get when you go to Amsterdam and stay in the American :(
Although, the hotel is really very nice, spacious, and comfortable in comparison to other hotel rooms in the city. I also can't complain about my digs since I had my trip paid for in full... judge's pass, plane tix, etc. I now FULLY understand the phrase "Once in a lifetime."

As for the Rookies coffeeshop...... :thumbsup::thumbsup:

It is one of the remaining numbers of coffeeshops that retains a license to serve alcohol in the same building as Cannabis. I don't drink, but for many it is extremely attractive. The Rookies was actually the very first shop I visited. I got off at Schipol, dropped my stuff at my hotel, and went to The Rookies for a "most amazing fresh squeezed orange juice I've ever had in my life," and around 2 grams of Pure Power Plant :jointsmile: They have pool tables and bar seats. Not a ton of actual seats and tables in comparison to others, but it is more of a social bar than a relaxing joint. It is a really good first stop, in my opinion, because it is very welcoming and thorough. Nice menus and staff... and, like most other shops, has a seriously elaborate sound system. I also seem to recall that you don't need to pay for the restroom... but I can't be certain. It also attracts celebrity smokers like Dan Akroyd and Willie Nelson (although shops claiming favor by celebs is common... The Grey Area has a laundry list of famous customers)

Oh, I just remembered about the Sensi Museum coffeeshop too. That was pretty interesting. At least during the cup, there was a long haired, bearded dude constantly rolling joints and loading vaporizers with Jack Flash upstairs. There were a bunch of mats/pillows to sit on indian style... and it forced everyone to become friends with their neighbor. It was really awesome.

Also, continue doing research before you go. I had almost no idea what to expect... and admittedly walked right by "celebrities," without batting an eyelash. Both during the judge's expo in a big warehouse. I noticed this guy holding like 4 foot long buds with a cheesy hat and sunglasses on getting pictures taken of him, and some skinny dude next to him. I honestly asked them to move for a second so I could get up the steps to go judge. Yeah, it was Arjan and Franco from the Greenhouse. I learned this after I got home and watched the DVD that the Greenhouse gave away during the cup. IDIOT!!
Second one, about 10 minutes later... I was at the front of the line to receive my ballot for voting and the guy handing them out was busy rolling a joint and ignoring me completely. I stood there, frustrated, and close to saying "Yo, can I get my ballot now?" He finished rolling up his huge cone... looked at me... and said, "Here you go, enjoy!" He handed me the joint and a ballot. He wasn't doing that for everyone, but I'm sure he was assuming that I would spark it up and pass it along in the voting area. Long story short, I get home and buy the Cup edition of High Times... and find out that "that guy" who gave me a joint was Senior Editor Bobby Black... and he was actually staying in the same hotel as me :wtf:

Damn, didn't realize I would write so much... I guess I can sum it up with this:
"You will never forget the times you have in Amsterdam." :hippy:

I'm going to amsterdam tomorrow. I'll be going to grey area, buying a gram of recon and vortex and enjoying life. Can't wait :D

Wow Metal1.....I'm scribbling furiously. :giggity: But you've convinced me on the Rookies. Their website says the rooms are right upstairs from the coffeeshop. Not matter, it sounds like the place to stay for a first time. Probably not going till March now, though:( Me, I don't mind the cold when I'm :stoned: but I'm from Texas and my friends all pussed out when they saw the "freeze your balls off" bit.....lol.......

I really appreciate any and all suggestions

stay:rasta:

They sound like a bunch of capital P..... ussies :hippy:

Seriously... I went for the cup, and what was it, like mid-late November? Shit was awesome. Didn't have much more on than a winter hat, hoodie, jeans, maybe a rain jacket sometimes. Think about it... you are going to walk miles and miles and miles to go from place to place(which I recommend, because the best way to experience a new city is on foot :jointsmile:) not because they are far apart... but there are sooo many things to do and see. You are also going to be spending a lot of time indoors at the coffeeshops if you do the cup. Drinking HOT coffee... oh my god... I want to smack your friends right now. Haha. Also, they start their Christmas festivities around November I believe. I saw amazing parades and dudes dressed as black elves climbing building walls. hahaha
- Research the Dutch Christmas holiday. I think Santa is Sinter Klaus? Anyway, him and the elves don't come in through chimneys, they scale the building walls and go in through windows. It's fucking wild to watch them.

Honestly, I'm just sitting here shaking my head. I MIGHT be going around the cup this year... not to judge but to relax. I'll find out in a week or so, but I can't believe that anyone would pass up a trip like that because of some cold weather. Besides, that shit isn't even "cold." Although, I have lived in some places that have some seriously bitter winters, so I have an advantage.
Talk them into it... and if they still say no... fuck 'em. Maybe I'll see you there. We'll take a picture outside of each coffeeshop to send to your friends..... WEARING SHORTS!!!! hahahaha suckerrrrrrs :stoned:

JUST READ NEW INFO:
WTF is this about a smoking ban in the Netherlands? The Rookies says that they have a 70 person smoking room, and if a shop doesn't have a similar one, people have to smoke outside? Which in most places isn't tolerated by police? What is going on?

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Originally Posted by TheMetal1

JUST READ NEW INFO:
WTF is this about a smoking ban in the Netherlands? The Rookies says that they have a 70 person smoking room, and if a shop doesn't have a similar one, people have to smoke outside? Which in most places isn't tolerated by police? What is going on?

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I saw that too, but didn't know it was new.........another reason TheRookies is a good choice, and I'm sure, bound to be a tough reservation for a hotel room.

I lived in Belgium, I know it doesn't get that cold.......I also lived in North Dakota for 10 years, and snear at anything above freezing. These guys are native texans and think that a snow flake will kill them if hit by it directly......lol

I don't really care whether or not the Cup is going on while I'm in A-dam, I'm pretty sure I can get just as stoned during the Cup as any other time of the year. Or sitting in my living room, for that matter.......:pimp:

I just might end up going by myself.....lol......I think I'm talking myself into it.......owwww.....twist my arm.....besides....gotta use those frequent flyer miles while I can.

stay:stoned:

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Originally Posted by SpAce420

I saw that too, but didn't know it was new.........another reason TheRookies is a good choice, and I'm sure, bound to be a tough reservation for a hotel room.

I lived in Belgium, I know it doesn't get that cold.......I also lived in North Dakota for 10 years, and snear at anything above freezing. These guys are native texans and think that a snow flake will kill them if hit by it directly......lol

I don't really care whether or not the Cup is going on while I'm in A-dam, I'm pretty sure I can get just as stoned during the Cup as any other time of the year. Or sitting in my living room, for that matter.......:pimp:

I just might end up going by myself.....lol......I think I'm talking myself into it.......owwww.....twist my arm.....besides....gotta use those frequent flyer miles while I can.

stay:stoned:

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The coldest I experienced while in Holland was around - 20.
The smoking ban only applies to tobacco , this does not mean you can toke up wherever you want. Ask if you aren't sure but remember not to think "it's Amsterdam we can toke anywhere" , it isn't true.
The cup is fun but Amsterdam always has something to do any time of the year.

I found a few more articles regarding the recent ban. It's a good concept. Just seems funny how some found it preposterous that coffeeshops wanted to be exempt. Complaining about smoke exposure in a coffeeshop would be the equivalent of a bartender not wanting to deal with drunks.... :wtf: I'm sure they all are well aware of the risks. I think it's great that they are focusing on tobacco though. Might be because I quit smoking cigarettes. Should be considered a hard drug in my opinion :thumbsup: I actually did smoke cigarettes at the time of my visit... but out of respect I waited to light up until I left the shops. Especially straight tobacco...ugh... you stand out like a sore thumb in a room full of pure sensi :jointsmile:

And yes... I will second, or 3rd now that I just re-read one of my previous posts :stoned:... do NOT think you can just smoke bud EVERYWHERE AND ANYWHERE. Not everyone in Amsterdam is pro-Cannabis... or just plain don't really want to be wafting smoke away from their face at a restaurant. Seriously... respect the SHIT out of that city. ASK ASK ASK ASK ASK... and then ask again before you flick the lighter.
Oh, and as for the cup... that's great that you aren't caught up in the kinda hype surrounding it. I say "kinda" because it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm 100% positive that I would have enjoyed it AT LEAST the same, had the cup not been going on.
Either way... FIND THAT FUCKING WAFFLE CART!!!! AHHHHHHH :stoned:

I went a year and a half ago to see "Jam In The Dam".

Its a three day music fest at the legendary Melkweg. It was awesome. My only complaint about the music fest was that it seemed like everyone was AMERICAN. It was fun anyway and DSO and YMSB really played their hearts out.

I would suggest taking a trip for a day outside of the city. Visit a town like alkmaar and ride a bike around. Sit in a pub and eat a cheese plate. Yummy.
This town in particular was smoke friendly and seemed like a taste of something closer to authentic Holland life... but i don't know to much about that...

I sampled more Hash in A Dam than Herb. I have had access to kind Herbs for many years, but have always found Hashish harder to come by. I loved all the varieties.
Also it may be nice for you to visit a "smart Shop"...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpAce420

I've been to A-dam once, but I was active duty military and couldn't enjoy the pleasures. Me 'n some friends are planning a trip (thinking October). Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks:smokin:

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where and who the hell is adam..

j/k

Damn I wish i was going.. one of these years. a boy can dream..

Metal1 - it looks like I'm gonna have to go by myself around the middle of November. :jointsmile: I'll pack my shorts and my camera:joint1: now I gotta start saving my pennies:stoned: