A Stupid-Sounding Question...

I know most of you would think this is a stupid thing to ask, but what is so good about Amsterdam? I am sure it's something about marijuana because all the stoners in my grade 12 Travel and Tourism class say that's where they would go if they could travel. I'm just wondering what's happening there that everyone is loving?

 

I recommend going and judging yourself. LOL
It's the only way.!

 

I love Amsterdam and i dont smoke anything, so it doesnt necessarily have to be about marijuana and all.

 

Yes, but why would it be such a flocking-ground for the marijuana culture?

 

unfortunately it has become a pot smokers mecca. this is due to nothing more than the fact that in amsterdam you can purchase pot from registered 'coffeeshops'. although, the current Dutch government is discussing legislation to make it illegal for any non Dutch citizen to enter coffeeshops.

a whole culture of pseudo tolerence has developed around this mythical place. in reality it's all about money, but few who travel there stay straight long enough to see through the haze.

there are a whole lot of other, more worthy reasons to visit amsterdam.

 

Why do you say ''unfortunately it's become a pot smokers mecca'',
in discrimination, Jason.? Why is it ''unfortunate'' in your eyes.?
Out of curiosity.

 

I say unfortunate because it's cheapened the whole country in my view. While my own personal view is that all drugs should be legailzed, I lament the way that Amsterdam had become synomymous with dope.

When people find out that I am half dutch, they almost always make some comment about the pot. Personally I couldn't care less about pot. I think it's a highly over rated drug. I think it's a pity that a country that has many unique and beautiful aspects has been reduced to 'that place with all the drugs'. I mean, yeah you can buy drugs in amsterdam, but they are available everywhere else also. Everything else about the place is glossed over or seen through a stoned haze. People visit primarily for the drugs, everything else is secondary. Sure, they might take a few hours out to visit the van gogh museum or the anne frank house, but they're there for the pot first and foremost.

Overall I just find it a little shallow and disrespectful.

I don't mean any disrespect to you personally, but most dutch people (the ones that i know anyway), can't stand the truckloads of american and british tourists who fly in for a bucks night or to get stoned and laugh at the hookers.

 

Safe to say, I think most Brits and USA people know what most
foriegners think of them when they travel and holiday away.
I didn't want to get in any sort of argument, just curious of your
unfolding personal views you hold regarding Amsterdam.

 

Because its lame that millions of people find a country with so much history and beautiful things only interesting because pot is semi-legal. Half of the people you meet on the streets of Amsterdam are stoned, and usually not an inhabitant of the city. And just like drunk people, stoned people are simply annoying.

 

Guess that makes me annoying then. lol

 

my friend, all the stoners in your travel class want to go to amsterdam? it's becuase you can buy weed there and they have alot of different varieties. stoners like to smoke weed. It would be like a person who really loves beer going to an october beerfest in germany.

Also, i found myself answering alot of questions from people on the street asking for directions to the jewish museum, because as it turns out, i was staying in the old jewish quarter of amsterdam. so i would also like to suggest that other people, ie. not stoners, might have different reasons to visit amsterdam. maybe rembrandt, maybe delft blue, maybe vincent van gogh or perhaps tulips.

but if you are asking why the stoners in your travel and tourism class want to go to amsterdam, the answer is: to smoke many different varieties of marijuana and marijuana products in a pleasant setting in a manner much like that of buying a beer.

 

wouldnt it make more sense to visit Delft if you want to see Delfts Blauw?

 

Probably haha

 

My name is Legion: for we are many.
(St Mark. Bible)

 

And me, lol.

It's not the pot. It's the culture that allows pot. Geeeezzzzzz you guys.

SP

 

To be honest, it was the allure of the pot that brought me there in the first place.
But, as I find myself taking more trips there (business and pleasure)I have learned to appreciate the history and culture of the Nederlands:

I've read a few history books of the country and Amsterdam.
I've taken lessons in the language so I can order a meal and ask for directions.
I walk (not bike) everywhere so I can take in the beauty of the architecture and canals.
I go to at least to two musea per trip.
And the Dutch are one of the only European peoples to play competitive baseball- OK has nothing to do with it, but I've seen baseball fields when I've flown into Schipol!
I'm not going to apologise for what brought me there in the first place- I was one of those drunks/stoners- but I feel like I've found a wonderful place to go and vacate.

 

Well said.

 

I even opened one of those fields, together with a few other girls haha. I hate baseball though, and softball. And i dont mind people getting stoned, i mind it when thats really all theyre interested in.

 

Exactly, well said.

 

one track minded people are no fun