Being a product of the same time and space. I think Tony would have no issue endulging in the local fragrance(s).... smoke rings fill the air.

Yeah, but Dutch food is horrible. Everything good in their cuisine comes from the Colonies.

I beg to differ. Dutch food is incredible: apparently you haven't had their fries, or poffertjes, or the multitude of potato dishes, or awesome Dutch cheese (Gouda is just one among many). And smoke rings do NOT fill the air in the majority of the Netherlands, only in the uncool touristy places in Amsterdam. That's not true Holland, only a fantasy that tourists go after. True Holland is Naarden, and Hoorn, and Schevinen. It's awesome nightclubs and gorgeous people and enigmatic weather (beautiful but insanely windy, or insanely cold and grey). It's edgy, colourful fashion, fabulous shopping, and delicious beer. It's cool old castles and gardens, and horses along the countryside. You miss all of that when you focus on touristic nonsense.

I like stroopwaffles and that gingerbread stuff they eat at Christmas time.

I like the Indonesian food you can get in the Netherlands too.

Hell, if they'd pay for me and my husband to go along, I'd offer him up for a native guide. He'd like to see his family again.

As for interesting things, I guess I can say that we mostly hung around normal people stuff, avoiding the wooden shoes and delft religiously. My husband says that there are little villages though that are run by the reformed church, kind of like the Amish, only really dutch, for a change.

quote:

Originally posted by bonzer2u:
Being a product of the same time and space. I think Tony would have no issue endulging in the local fragrance(s).... smoke rings fill the air.

That's such bollocks. Most dutch people occasionally smoke weed, but it's not such a draw as it is here or in the UK. I remember flying to the Netherlands with a bunch of british schoolboys making noise and generally acting spastic over the weed they were going to smoke, but honestly, I think people should grow up.

On the way back I listened to some American bikers going on and on about the red-light district. Again, grow up.

you have to admit your country has certain attractions that would be interesting to citizens of other countries. Yes people go to Amsterdam to smoke weed and visit the red light district, but is that so bad. You should be happy that you have such attractions. Its a testament to the open-minded culture you have, those attractions show just how progressive the Dutch people are.

Altho I found Amsterdam to be beautiful and full of history, and the people friendly and multilingual, I found nothing glamorous about the red light district, where some vindictive/moronic travel agent booked us to stay. We were tiptoing through crack vials at the Odekirk, and on our way to the Van Gogh museum (an awesome place) we were aggressively solicited by every kind of prostitute imaginable. Our hotel overlooked a hash-bar where stoned hash-heads pissed in the street under our window (thank God for a second floor room...) That part of the city is the biggest anti-drug antidote I can imagine.

I don't know if this will make it through, but my last attempted message is being held for review before it will or won't be posted. Interesting that messages offering Tony drugs, and cocktail recipes to ensure willing sex partners make it through but mine did not.

I would love to see Tony in Amsterdam!

quote:

Originally posted by flewaway:
We were tiptoing through crack vials at the Odekirk, and on our way to the Van Gogh museum (an awesome place) we were aggressively solicited by every kind of prostitute imaginable. Our hotel overlooked a hash-bar where stoned hash-heads pissed in the street under our window (thank God for a second floor room...) That part of the city is the biggest anti-drug antidote I can imagine.

That's such a cliché... And an urban myth if there ever was one. I live in Amsterdam Centrum and have done so for decades. I never had to 'tiptoe through crack vials' nor have I ever been 'solicited by prostitutes'. Sure, like any major city there are areas where you ideally would not want to go. But these are mainly located in the suburban housing projects -which are utterly uninteresting to anyone who doesn’t have to live there, let alone tourists - and not in the city itself.

There’s much effort put in keeping the city centre the interesting, beautiful, safe and welcoming place it is. Although the ‘red light district’ has it’s distinct couleur locale, it must be said this is probably one of the safer areas today. Not only is it closely monitored by police and security-cameras, the shop- theatre- and bar-owners are famous for keeping street crime out of their district. They don’t tolerate any muggers, dealers and junkies hanging around; that’s bad for business!

Quite notably it’s usually large groups of foreigners - who mistakenly think that ‘anything goes’ in Amsterdam - who are behaving loud, obnoxious and lewd after a couple of beers too many. These groups tend to display the same behavior in any city they visit, so the drug connotation is beyond me. Marijuana tends to relax people, alcohol is more likely to spark raucous behavior. Also, marijuana isn’t known to be a diuretic, beer most certainly is….

We are generally pretty tolerant, so we will not be quick to spoil your party, but it’s safe to say we don’t like loud, obnoxious and lewd people on our doorstep any more than you do. We also like to keep our city clean, and there’s a very hefty fine on littering and urinating in public (€65,- and up). Please keep those things in mind next time you visit and we will be glad to show you the best time you ever had.

Prostitution is legal in The Netherlands, and that’s a good thing for many reasons. The prostitutes are tightly monitored for health and they have to comply with strict rules and regulations. Street prostitution is not allowed. They operate indoors; either behind the famous windows in the red light district, or behind closed doors in dedicated private clubs. Therefore it’s pretty inconceivable that anyone would be ‘hassled’ or ‘solicited’ by prostitutes in the streets; you’d have to go to them and make it clear you’re interested.

Marijuana is semi-legal (condoned) in The Netherlands. The idea behind this is to take soft-drugs away from a criminal environment and to have some control on the quality. Although it’s still illegal to possess larger quantities, you may have a small amount for personal use. Some specific and dedicated coffee-shops - who also have to comply with very strict rules - are allowed to sell small quantities of hashish and marijuana, which can be smoked on the premises or taken home. It is very unwise - and illegal - to buy or sell this anywhere else. In ‘normal’ bars, clubs and cafés you’re generally not supposed to smoke a joint. In many places it’s even forbidden. Contrary to the (foreign) urban myth, the Dutch do not wear wooden shoes, nor do they all smoke marijuana and get stoned out of their heads 24/7. The majority does not take any drugs, the ones that do generally use it to unwind on a weekend, not unlike having a beer on a Saturday night. All hard drugs are illegal.

The mere existence of a ‘red light district’ may capture the imagination of many, but keep in mind it’s only a very small part of the city; merely a few blocks. So it’s hardly representative for Amsterdam as a whole. It can be an interesting place to visit, whether you actually intend to visit a prostitute or not. The majority of people who go there just do some window-shopping. If you can dig the laid-back atmosphere and unique couleur locale there’s no reason why you shouldn’t pay a visit to this district. If you’re morally opposed or easily upset; just don’t go there, and most definitely don’t stay there! There are plenty hotels in every price range in Amsterdam, and the vast majority is NOT located in the red light district. In fact you never have to go there if you don’t purposely elect to do so. The same goes for the dedicated marijuana/hashish coffee-shops; If you like the idea to get high legally, feel welcome to knock yourself out. And just don’t go there if you don’t like the idea, it’s as simple as that… Chances are you’ll never even notice these coffee-shops if you’re not looking for it.

Obviously it’s a good idea to bring your common sense along, but it’s wise to be somewhat alert in any city anywhere in the world. Pick-pockets and scam-artists will be likely to operate wherever tourists go, but unless you insist to walk about in silly shorts, loud Hawaiian-shirts and a baseball-cap that says “moronic tourist looking to get robbed” whilst carrying a fat wallet loosely in your back pocket and a huge camera on your belly, you will be as safe as anywhere.

The Netherlands and Amsterdam have much to offer; fine restaurants, a wonderful history, beautiful buildings and scenery, great museums and art galleries, all kinds of quality shops, fashion, jewelry, cozy pubs and a vibrant night life. No wonder so many pop-artists and movie-stars like to come here on a regular basis! But don’t take my word for it, come and see for yourself what it’s like. I bet you’ll have a wonderful time, esp. if you are the tiniest bit open minded and you have some basic interest in culture, history and art.

I’d absolutely love it if Tony were to come to Amsterdam, and I’d be honored to show him around! Just send me a PM or an email in advance!

Sven: glad to hear things have changed since my visit in 1989, but all the things I mentioned did happen as I said, no exaggerations. We weren't walking around with Hawaian shirts, fat wallets and big cameras as you described, and we were solicited by prostitutes anyway. Maybe we just looked adventuresome....
I think you overlooked the good stuff I said about Amsterdam and the people living there.
I will add to my initial post that Amsterdam was the first international travel I ever did, and since then I have learned a lot about researching my destination, being hands on in terms of planning, etc. The art scene in Amsterdam is phenomenal, and one day I will return.

quote:

Originally posted by sheilanagig:

quote:

Originally posted by bonzer2u:
Being a product of the same time and space. I think Tony would have no issue endulging in the local fragrance(s).... smoke rings fill the air.

That's such bollocks. Most dutch people occasionally smoke weed, but it's not such a draw as it is here or in the UK. I remember flying to the Netherlands with a bunch of british schoolboys making noise and generally acting spastic over the weed they were going to smoke, but honestly, I think people should grow up.

On the way back I listened to some American bikers going on and on about the red-light district. Again, grow up.

How about you learn to not rag on people because they are looking forward to a different part of the location than you are ? I think you're the one who needs to grow up . You're very minimal thinking sucks and I would hate to have you as a guide in amsterdam because I would most likely miss out on some of the most interesting scenerey .