A Newb in the 'Dam, any suggestions?

Hello all, my name is Peter and i am headed to the 'Dam in late July. First off, i am american, and i hate Bush. In fact, you might be surprised that, at least where i live, nearly 90% of young people share the same sentiments. Trust me, we all wish we were fortunate enough to live in Europe, but we aren't. We're stuck in a abso-fucking-lutely ass-backwards, imperialist, ignorant society, currently ran by Bush and his office, who have a cumulative IQ of 30. ANYWAY, my questions.

1. Where would be the best place to stay. A hostel, cheap hotel, with a local? And in what part of town?

2. I am planning to stop by Cafe Dampkring and The Greenhouse. Any other coffeehouses you would suggest? I don't want any busy, cosmopolitan, tourist bullshit. Somewhere nice i can relax, have a smoke, and meet some people.

3. Are there any local clubs, festivals, venues i should check out?I am a musicican and, therefore, really into music. I like Radiohead, Sigur Ros, etc.

4. Is the Red Light District fun and laid back, or depressing and hostile?

Thanks, and any replies would be appreciated.

Peter

P.S. Anyone want to meet up for a smoke in late July? lemme know.

 

Hi Peter,

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the current Dutch government is no better than Bush and his cronies. Also, Dutch society is every bit as ignorant as that in the US.

That said, Amsterdam is a great place to visit and you'll have an awesome time. I'm not American but I hate it how Americans come here and feel like they have to justify themselves and profess their hatred for Bush in order to gain some acceptance from the Dutch. Don't get me wrong, I hate the USA governemt also. It's just that the Dutch goverment is just as bad, yet the repuation of the Netherlands remains in tack. You don't see Dutch people on forums devoted to other countries, apologizing for their government and society.

The reality is that if the Dutch government had as much power as the US government, the end result would be much worse than what we have now. Many Dutch will hold you to task over Bush and USA international affairs, when their own government is equally as deplorable. You probably won't see much of this as a tourist, but it's good to keep in mind. The netherlands is no utopia, spend more than a few weeks there and you'll also come to realize this.

i would recommend visiting Amsterdam as soon as possible, because all that made it such a great city is fading fast in the current climate. It ain't all grass and hookers over there (despite what you might have been led to believe).

In answer to your questions, read though some of the threads currently on the board and many will be answered.

I now invite the flamers to attack me...

 

I now invite the flamers to attack me... lol u so kwazy

 

1. Where would be the best place to stay. A hostel, cheap hotel, with a local? And in what part of town?


-stay anywhere but the red light.



2. I am planning to stop by Cafe Dampkring and The Greenhouse. Any other coffeehouses you would suggest? I don't want any busy, cosmopolitan, tourist bullshit. Somewhere nice i can relax, have a smoke, and meet some people.

-i like to get my smoke and smoke on the go. i suggest you rent a bike. i find that in most coffeeshops you can meet someone and chat with them. hunter's point and rasta baby sell beer too. check out NEMESIS's signature for a map of coffeeshops. you can find one of his posts easily on this board.

3. Are there any local clubs, festivals, venues i should check out?I am a musicican and, therefore, really into music. I like Radiohead, Sigur Ros, etc.


-no clue but check the earlier posts about paradiso, melkweg

4. Is the Red Light District fun and laid back, or depressing and hostile?

-not laid back. it can get creepy if you all alone. that being said the rld is a small section of amsterdam and you can find coffeeshops everywhere you go. you'll see that after a look or two it doesnt have much more to offer and the rest of amsterdam is simply too beautiful to pass up.

have fun

 

Hehe.. kinda funny how you describe the RLD as 'creepy' mafuman.. I've been there many times alone since it's a shortcut to the places I often go.. ok true, it was during daytime or early evening but I never felt unsafe. The most annoying and violently-vibed people imho opinion are the british stag-party dudes.. they flok around in groups, are usually drunk, loud and obnoxious.. those are the people who make me feel uncomfy sometimes but they don't stick to the RLD so you can meet'm anywhere (there are actually bars that have a 'no stag party' sign outside!).

Anywho.. if you are new to Amsterdam and want to visit the RLD I'd recommend passing there during daytime first, see how you like it, get to know the place a little and then make the choice if you want to be there at night. There are still plenty of girls to see during daytime (although not always the most prettiest )..

About the anti-Bush stuff.. I'd say "welcome, we hate our government as well!".. I have the feeling that it's more and more "the people against authority", no matter who you talk to. So yeah, don't even start apologizing for your government 'cause if I have to return the favor and have to start talking about the Dutch one, I wont stop anytime soon

That being said.. I think the Dutch are pretty ok people, the weather at the moment is pretty ok as well.. and you'll have a blast!

 

I found there is only a few € more in preference to a hotel than hostel.
Can't give any feedback about hostels, never done them, but to give you
an idea I pay €35, breaky included, full bar/top restaurant downstairs,
smack bang in the centre, fine if you can put up with a bit of relentless
tourist traffic noise, church bells and beer lorries delivering kegs of Heineken
first thing in the morning, but this is smack bang centre.

Coffeeshops? Well, check my sig below for some ideas. Agreeing with you
steering clear of the tourist traps, some are worth a brief sneak peek at
despite, I just wouldn't score there. Off the beaten track, some are quaint,
chilled and relaxing, some banging, trancey and electric. The ''GEMS'' are
the ones that fall at your feet while wandering aimlessly, they just happen.! LOL

Ignoring all the street dealers who will guarantee to try and flog you stuff,
sauntering around the RLD is ok, but If anything it's a scenic and historic part
of town worth seeing first thing in the morning before it rouses and last thing at
night when it's tourist orientated abundant. Yes, the Brits are there in groups
and you can't miss them, they annoy me too.

Have a good one, go with the flow and enjoy,
come back here and tell everyoneyour story....?

 

Where did you find a 35 euro hotel. Most I've seen are 80 to 90 euro. What's this hotel's name. See you queen's day 2006.

 

To be truthfully honest I'm still in two minds to go to
Queensday or go my usual time in Feb. It's all up in the
air at the moment as 2 mates of mine want to do Prague
instead of A'dam in 2006. Whatever I'm still going, one or
the other.
Yogi, I've not booked my hotel yet and for fear of a sudden
rush based on my advice I'll tell you the name after I've
booked it, incase I need a room around Queensday, etc.
Hope you understand my friend

 

admit it. you are a tease!

 

Lol

 

Check Out Central Cafe & Rasta Baby--- Central For Grass(white Widow) & Rasta For Hash (moroc)

 

1. Where would be the best place to stay. A hostel, cheap hotel, with a local? And in what part of town?

don't know, sorry.

2. I am planning to stop by Cafe Dampkring and The Greenhouse. Any other coffeehouses you would suggest? I don't want any busy, cosmopolitan, tourist bullshit. Somewhere nice i can relax, have a smoke, and meet some people.

no tourist bullshit and yet you go to dampkring? sounds kind of weird... well anyway, dampkring is a great coffeeshop, but very crowded... greenhouse is the same story... although I wouldn't worry about it too much, commercialism and coffeeshops don't match, so pretty much any coffeeshop is pretty laid back...

3. Are there any local clubs, festivals, venues i should check out?I am a musicican and, therefore, really into music. I like Radiohead, Sigur Ros, etc.

well... I'm very sorry to say I've never really found anything like radiohead or sigur ros in amsterdam, but cafe the cave near leidseplein has good bands playing, as well as the waterhole, also near leidseplein... oh and if you like jazz you should visit cafe alto, where there are live bands every night (guess where that is )

 

i bought a flight only ticket on my last trip to a/dam...Amsterdam Tourist Office give me an address of a hostal at the right money too (£25 a night) close to dam square

http://www.amsterdam.info/tips/touristoffice/

 

as for coffee shops, i would recommend checking out the "rokerij." & "abraxas"

i just got back from 12 days in a'dam. rented a little apt with a shared kitchen & bathroom just above a mushroom shop. really cheap and comfortable. got set up through "bob's youth hostel".

get food from Albert Hein (sp?), a little supermarket chain you'll find everywhere. vundle park is nice and if you wanna go to a movie go to the tuschinski theatre. definately a must.

 

I've not booked my hotel yet and for fear of a sudden
rush based on my advice lol what would you rather have a million dollars or nemisis's head full of nickels? jk

 

Hm.. Albert Heijn is one of the more expensive supermarkets, although if you stick the to cheap brands only it's ok. The Vondel park is great indeed, although it has a somewhat touristy/white elite vibe to it sometimes, bit yuppyish. The Tuschinski is really beautiful but I don't really like seeing movies there because I like to sit right in the middle of the screen and because of the round shape of the theater you don't always get good places. But the building itself is definately worthwile to see.

 

She's not a girl who misses much
Do do do do do do- oh yea!
She's well acquainted with the touch of the velvet hand
Like a lizard on a window pane

The man in the crowd with the multicoloured mirrors
On his hobnail boots
Lying with his eyes while his hands are busy
Working overtime
A soap impression of his wife which he ate
And donated to the National Trust

I need a fix 'cause I'm going down
Down to the bits that I left uptown
I need a fix cause I'm going down
Mother Superior jump the gun
Mother Superior jump the gun
Mother Superior jump the gun
Mother Superior jump the gun

Happiness is a warm gun
Happiness is a warm gun, momma
When I hold you in my arms
And I feel my finger on your trigger
I know nobody can do me no harm
Because happiness is a warm gun, momma
Happiness is a warm gun
-Yes it is.
Happiness is a warm, yes it is...
Gun!
Well don't ya know that happiness is a warm gun, momma?

 

Knowledge is power, no seriously,
what hotel and how much do you pay for yours, Cadcruzer,
out of curiosity.?

 

BTW, SpliffVortex
I've found, hitherto, 16 posts from you containing your above message
with the same content. Go to the ''RT'' forum to post stuff like that.

 

i stayed hotel manofa was euro 50,a night had a free breakfast too,wasnt too bad. have to say i was there in feb. an they kept the thermostat below 50 i think, other than that not bad for the money. it's right on damrak an was easy to get to from central station so was easy choice.