Fun
...is the simplest way to describe Amsterdam in one word. The city will make it impossible for anyone to go and not have an enjoyable time, well, unless you're a lonely backpacker. From a glance of the people walking around, it was obvious what these people came to Amsterdam for: Pot. Tourists in Amsterdam can be catagorized into two distinct groups. Guys and couples. Guys come for pot, brownies, alcohol, and girls. Couples, well, they still got magical brownies and alcohol.
The city is spectacular. I personally think it levels, if not surpasses, Rome or Paris in terms of enjoyable tourism destination. With the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank's house, its got the historical attraction. Add to that gabajillion "coffee shops" that sells pot by ounces, which provides a variety of selection from brownies, cookies, tea, to coffee, all for an identical purpose. If that's not enough, tourists will enter the Red Light District after midnight, conveniently located next to the funky and mellow coffeeshop zone.
Well Amsterdam was interesting just because it was "The Amsterdam" that high school Americans so often talk about. As immature as it is, I admit on having a stereotypical image of Amsterdam, mainly based on news and movies ("Eurotrip"). I mean I'll be offended if someone assumes that all Japanese are hentais. But the Dutch, those in Amsterdam particulary, not only meet the
stereotype but they easily outstrip it. If I told locals what I expected to see before coming, they'd probably tell me, "you thought we only smoke that much?". Literally, just walking down the main strip made me wonder if it's what it feels like to be high (because I have never been). The word 'sketchy' doesn't qualify as a description of these coffeeshops because, well, no one is trying to hide it. The funkier the appearance and more straight-forward the shop name, the more customers (or smokers) will flow in.
Good Morning
I like to think that I have always been a morning person. I'd sleep looking forward to the morning coffee (and toothbrushing). But this trip has allowed me to step up the "morning-person" ladder. I'm considering whether to write "waking up early" as a hobby on my job resume...that'll catch interviewers attention for sure. "Why?", they ask of course. "Because I enjoy observing the city wake up. It's like being an audience to a movie (but for free). The sunrise is the
opening scene and sunset is the closing. Simple. Each city has their main characters. In some cities they may be working businessmen, who must commute everyday to fight competing companies, or in other cities farmers who cooperate with their family to keep their farming business running." Half the time there will be an awkward silent in the interviewing room, but that's alright. Having 'interesting' hobby is a positive factor..or at least that's what someone told me.
Munchies
Intoxination is often partnered by munchies. With so many bars and coffeeshops, the "munchie" industry may be as big as "combini" in Japan. Except the quality of food that hits the top of the "munchies" list tanks when compared to the combini quality. Experienced smokers and drinkers can judge for themselves, the "ultimate munchies"..in Amsterdam
Amsterdam in conclusion
If you want to have fun, come to Amsterdam. Come with your friends. Come for excitement. Come while you're young. Come to forget about everything bad in life (literally).
At the same time, it is somewhat of a waste, that people only come for the pot. There are stunning sights here and there, but they don't get the attention they deserve. They are overshadowed by funky cafes and red light windows, and too often where they don't make the guide book. For example, unless a stoner is greatly interested in Anne Frank's life during the Holocaust, he probably wouldn't find himself going there (unless he's stoned at the time and gets there accidently). Even products displayed at souvenir shops all have to do with pot or sex, as if they know exactly what's on tourists' mind. I would of liked to see something of Anne Frank or Van Gogh for a change.
But I did find some cool things
No comments:
Post a Comment