Amsterdam – A Weed and Hooker Fueled Spring Romp

 by Josh

After our recent visit, Amsterdam snuck to the top of the favorite cities list, edging out Prague mainly because the temperature didn’t have a negative sign in front of it when we visited.  But also because it is a supremely badass city.

 

Our official reason for visiting was to catch the Decemberists on one of their only stops in continental Europe, but Amsterdam proved to be an equal attraction to the concert.  Now, this comment will seem like it was cooked up after a coffee house smoke session, but the city just has a great vibe.  Killer food and bevy.  People are friendly and fun.  And there is a great sense of community.  Outdoor cafes adorn most every corner and people stop for a coffee or a beer at all hours.  It feels like the city belongs to everyone and they all know it.  I’m eager for the follow up visit.

Okay, this will be a picture post boys and girls with a little context around the photos.  So without further ado…

 Bikes.  Right outside the train station is a multi-tiered bike parking lot.  This picture doesn’t begin to capture the scope.  We’re talking thousands.

Here is the aforementioned central station.

This will give you a good sense of the architecture.  Tightly packed and rarely perpendicular to the ground.

 

Signs proclaimed A’Dam the Venice of the North.  I don’t think it needs the comparison though.  The city stands up by itself quite well.   So this is a pretty typical canal view.  People live in these house boats along many of the canals.

Really liked that boat on the right.  Note the bird.

Great house near the Rijksmuseum.

Couple of the neighbors.

Delicious gouda!

More bike madness.  All the locals ride nearly identical bikes so I have no idea how they find their own in these stacks.

Okay, that should give you a general flavor of the city.  Now for some of the fun little details...

Man Amongst Lizards.

We’re having a beer outside in the Leidseplein, which is in the middle of the city, and this dude starts walking his dairy cow into the bars.  The cow could moo on command so the man in black here would sneak the cow into a bar, cue the mooing, and scare the shit of unsuspecting drinkers.

The Red Light District.  A bit blurry I know, but it is hard to photograph properly unless you want a coked out Ukrainian whore chasing you down the street.  We're standing on the far north end, and though you can't really make them out, the canal was filled with hundreds of swans.  Nice juxtaposition if you are into that kinda thing.  Most of the action is down by the distant green light.  Bonus points if someone works out some sort of Gatsby symbolism in the comment section.

In De Wildeman served up some of the best beer I’ve had in Europe.  Even had some Flying Dog on tap.

This is the Wyand Fockink distillery, in continuous operation at the same location for 340 years.  Check out the bowing shelves.  The bartender was hilarious and kept pouring free ones for us.  They pour the Fockink shots up to the brim so it is customary to bend over and slurp it up.  See the next photo for an action shot.

Look at that concentration.  Lose your focus for one second and bam!  You are pants shitting drunk in the gutter.

Paradiso: mid 19^th century church turned music venue.  Site of the Decemberists show.

And one blurry photo of The Decemberists.  We met Jenny Conlee and Chris Funk out walking around the day of the show.  Talked to them for a bit – seemed like nice down to earth peoples.  On our way to the Van Gogh museum the next morning, saw Colin Meloy from across the street and I yelled “Nice show!” at him.  He seemed surprised to be recognized but definitely appreciative of the kudos.  Good stuff.

Oh, you may be able to make out a girl in the upper right corner of the balcony.  This chick was rocking harder than is normally advisable.  I was waiting for a stage dive but the intensity of her rocking probably would have just rocketed her to the rafters.  God speed superfan.

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All right, there’s the A’Dam for you.  All you potential visitors are going to have to work this fine city into your agenda.  Top marks in all regards.