I got back from Amsterdam a week ago for the second time. This time the street dealers were freaking out of control. I got approached at least 50 times in a 3 day period, with people saying "coca/herion charlie?" One guy came up and pulled out a big bag of something that looked like weed and was trying to sell us it, saying it was the bomb and all this crap. Now why in the hell would I buy weed from you when I can go get stuff that I know is awsome from a coffee shop? Do the Dutch police do any kind of undercover stings or anything like that to get rid of these people? I would never buy anything from them cause I know it would be a total rip off, but how do they rip you off? Are they selling fake stuff or will they just run off with your money or what? Thanks P.S. I had a great time there this time. Didnt rain much on us but damn was it cold.
hahaaaa.... i know it's gotten worse, it's because it's winter and business isn't so continuous... they actually have to hustle.... many of them are also running for hotels and illegal rooms (some nice, some not so nice) in the city... you are wise to be so cautious, and i pity those that are not.... almost dead for three days straight, or unable to sleep for just as long, with none of the other supposed fun effects... even E on the streets is sheisty, because it's probably just artificial sweetener stamped with a little alligator or some shit... there are HUNDREDS of cameras in amsterdam (check out my reply to; "working for r&b") and the cops are watching... the frightening thing is, this isn't a big enough problem for them to spend too much cash on, considering the big bosses and movers are you average Hans-looking dutch guy with wavy blonde hair and burberry scarf ;-) THOSE are the guys that they spend the cash to watch, because it could be ANY (and many!) of them.... hahaaa..... this is an old, established drug culture (thriving for the past 40 years or so, mostly due to tourism) that has had to seek out alternative measures, but still keeps business flourishing... as a runner (and semi-attractive female at that) i knew a couple of guys that would've paid me good cash to do jobs for them in germany or france... import or export... crazy, huh? and that's how common it is.... so the moral to this story, is that Amsterdam is our modern day Babel/Soddom and Gommorah but with some intensely divine twists.... and will ALWAYS be pulsing with indulgent, illegal, unhealthy, and addictive substances... buyer beware!! HAHAHAA! -Sweet Sangre-
I'm sorry, but I want to say it. The street dealers in A'dam absolutely piss me off to hell. They are a pest, annoying, irritating and as far as I'm concerned seriously let the city down. It's almost impossible to walk up Oz Voorburgwal without one of these fuck-wits whispering crack, coke, ecstasy, etc. at you. I just ignore them and keep walking, but once one was so persistent that he wouldn't leave me side for about a minute or two, so I swivelled on my heal in the opposite direction, he followed, I walked faster, so did he, then at the top of his voice he decided to shout as loud as he could directly in my ear. Needless to say I could have seriously put him on the floor with one professional solid punch but saw sense. The only good thing is that they do tend to mainly congregate in a few select areas only in the city which is a relief, but they do seem to be increasing in numbers over the years and dare I say it, A'dam is diligently deteriorating IMHO, such a shame. I'm sure what I have written here is going to annoy 1 or 2 people, mentioning no names, but it's what I see as an outsider. Finally, I adore the Dutch people is just those uneducated, persistent, drug dealers that test my patience, usually dark/mixed race complexion. There, I've said it and I'm sure somebody will have something to say about my controversial views.
Nemesis, tell us how you REALLY feel... Yeah, i have my doubts about the amsterdam police force. I seen 'em with a paddy wagon on one of those bridges and not thirty feet away at the next bridge those dealers are thick as fog, going about their business as usual. You also never seem to see a cop. Maybe thats a europe thing; enlighten me, but around here in the new world we tend to go heavy on the police presence. I guarantee you that if i walk to the window right now i will see a patrol car. Ok i realize that amsterdam streets are a little narrow for ford crown victorias to go tearing thru... but still. Besides have you seen those dutch cops? they are some big peeps. The women too. Once i saw an arrest go down in central station and the girl who did the cuffing could have whipped my ass while at the same time keeping a finger in a dike. Those highway cops on BMW motorcycles. Put a couple of those guys on two freakin bridges and i gaurantee those dealers will leave. Maybe thats the deal. You guys stay here and we wont harass you. Cuz if they clean up the RLD they will just move to the dam or leidse plein. Anybody ever hear the story that Led Zeppelin took their name from leidseplein?
Keith Moon [The Who's drummer] inspired Robert Plant to name the band when Keith said to Robert. "Hey Plant I hear your starting a new band; it will probobly go over like a Led Zeppelin"...
"The street dealers in A'dam absolutely piss me off to hell. They are a pest, annoying, irritating and as far as I'm concerned seriously let the city down. It's almost impossible to walk up Oz Voorburgwal without one of these fuck-wits whispering crack, coke, ecstasy, etc. at you. I just ignore them and keep walking, but once one was so persistent that he wouldn't leave me side for about a minute or two, so I swivelled on my heal in the opposite direction, he followed, I walked faster, so did he, then at the top of his voice he decided to shout as loud as he could directly in my ear. Needless to say I could have seriously put him on the floor with one professional solid punch but saw sense. " I read a similar post to that somewhere...but it was from a visitor to Amsterdam in 1786. Some things never change. Its a lot nicer/safer now of course.
they're a pest, but you just walk by and say no thanks - no big deal. with what is legal there it shouldn't suprise that activities that are not legal don't get more attention from the POLITE' I found it somewhat annoying, but then again you can somewhat avoid the problem areas at night without too much trouble if you stay away from the red light district and the alleys
hahahaa.... here's the trick, kids... don't want to be bothered, pay attention to local dress code and make something of an attempt to blend in... i.e. scarves with jean jackets, puma sneakers, spiky hair etc.... I've been here long enough to tell, but these guys doing it for years can sniff out an american (or brit or aussie for that matter) a mile away.... and you are always a potential target because they assume that you are a tourist. if one is REALLY bothering you, threaten to go to the next business and call police.... and though you probably won't have to, it'lll scare him off you damn quick.... they aren't scared of cops, so much as the attention getting arrested draws, because people learn his face and he can't do business in the city for at least a week (until most of the tourists move on ;-) hahaa... like i siad, if you look dutch (or at least like a wanna-be Amsterdammer) they won't bug you-for the most part ;-) Good Luck!
Apart from the street dealers don't forget the beggars, they are just as annoying and prolific around the RLD. Some innocent some not, but still get in the way, although not as bad as Morocco when I went, where they follow you all day and keep tugging your shirt and won't let go.
Lol, i always heard it was because Jimmy was a slow runner when he was a kid and his gym teacher called him the led zeppelin.
hehehee@ maufman... and hey, brotha- i've read some of your posts and you seem like a cool individual to chop it up with... you should hit me up when you are in the area (don't know how much longer I'll be here, but i'm down to come back for damn sure)... good luck kids.... if you don't like the wooden clogs they also have big, fluffy yellow ones ;-)
Weed? In Amsterdam? I don't think you're going to find any. hehehe This past week, everytime I walked through the RLD I was hit up for cocaine every five seconds. But I think I also stuck out in a crowd as an American. I'd have some guys saying hello, so my natural response was to say it back. Then they would ask me if I wanted any. I'm just curious how they could understand English so well, but had a hard time understanding the word NO. One in particular started following me up and I kept saying no. "want cocaine?" "no." "it's good stuff." no cocaine. "come on. you don't like it, I give money back." NO! "here. lemme sell you some." At this point I looked at him and shouted FUCK OFF!!! But I don't think that was a creepy as the guy with the HUGE cold sore on his lower lip and smelling of urine trying to follow me back to my hotel and wanting to accompany me up to my room. followed me up the street a bit while trying to sell himself to me. Actually, I'm not completely sure if he wanted to sell drugs or his body, but neither was looking appealing to me at that time. I think the street dealers were my least favorite part of my stay in Amsterdam. If I was in the mood for any action in the RLD, they would have turned me off to the idea.
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i know of a couple good spots actually... hahahaa... just visited one about fifteen minutes ago ;-) hit me up; 0648617994
