Amsterdam, Netherlands
2014, 2016, 2018
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. It is known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, and legacies of the city’s 17 century Golden Age. Of you are a lover of the arts, you will enjoy the Van Gogh museum and the Rijksmuseum which has Rembrandt and Vermeer works. As soon as you arrive, you will notice that 75% of people use cycling as their main means of transportation. I’m sure everyone knows at marijuana is legal in Amsterdam (only the Coffee Shops); but the city is not like it is portrayed on the internet or television. Nobody is walking around smoking weed nor are there people walking around under the influence of drugs and alcohol. It is a very clean and tourist friendly city. I have traveled to Amsterdam at least 4 times and only saw one homeless person within the Centraal Station area. Although, I would not recommend taking your kids to the Right Light District. I usually get around the city on feet cause the city is so beautiful that you inspired to walk versus getting in a car.
November 2018
My past escapade to Amsterdam was a 5 day trip that I purchased through Groupon for $650 including flight and lodging. This was my third time visiting during the winter and this was the first occasion when I felt it absolutely necessary to wear gloves. Even the locals where complaining about the weather. Unfortunately, on this trip it became evident that Amsterdam is now a major touristy city (especially the Red Light District). This influx of people has increased the cost of living which infuriates the locals.
Photo above: The building on the left and right are lending away for the center building. This is common in Amsterdam due to the soft bottom foundation and that they are surrounded by three canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht), therefore, the buildings are usually not more than 4 stories to prevent the leaning. In some of the buildings you can feel the building swaying.
Photo above & video on right: Located on Korte Leidse, Dwarsstraat in the Centrum neighborhood.
Green House Coffee Shop - Haarlemmerstraat 6
Prix D' Ami Coffee Shop - Haringpakkerssteeg 3
Bulldog Coffee Shop - Leidseplein 17
Standing on the canal overpass on Prins Hendrinkkade looking at Amsterdam's Centraal Station.
'I amsterdam' sign is located at the Rijksmuseum stop on the Tram 2 line. The letters are so big and area is so crowded therefore, you will not be able to take a photo without extra people
Petit Gateau - Haarlemerstraat 80, Amsterdam
White Choclade - Airy cream cheese with a tart raspberry taste (Only Available on Saturday)
Peer Choclade - Pecan, Cinnamon, Sugar, and Chocolate taste
Gassan Diamonds - Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 173-175, Amsterdam
For more than 450 years Amsterdam has been the city of diamonds. Diamonds have been a hot commodity since the era when Anne Frank fled to Amsterdam to hide from the Nazis. During my tour of the factory, I was able to see the talented craftsmen turn rough diamonds into dazzling, exquisitely polished stones. Gassan Diamonds are exclusively famously known for their 121 facets for optimal reflection, while the majority of the diamonds in the United States have a brilliant cut that consist of only 59 facets. Gassan also has an exclusive in-house Rolex Boutique on-site. During the tour of the Gassan Diamond Factory, I felt that it would become completely desolate without a pair of their exclusive 121 facets earrings( This is what the shopping addict inside me was screaming lol ) And OMG Money Well Invested. YAESSS. The tour is a stop on the Hop on Hop off tour (cost $23).
Picture of a diamond being polished
Red Light District - De Walden Area
First Thing I saw once I entered the District
Majority of the buildings in the District that participate in the adult activities will have a red light shining near the enterance
Cannabis College - Oudezijds Achterburgwal, Red Light District:
Warning, Don't use refer to weed as marijuana, the older woman that works there finds the word to be HIGHLY offensive.The Cannabis College offers free advice on the safe use of recreational and medicinal cannabis, in addition to educating the public about the many industrial uses of the hemp plant. They offer tours of their Cannabis garden allowing them to illustrate their information with a completely organic example of indoor growing. While at the college, tourist would come in to get the college option on which Coffee Shop had the purest cannabis in Amsterdam. The people that work at the college are well informed on anything cannabis, one question can lead into a 10 minute conversation while they smoke their paper joints.
