pepeh
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:11:14
this may seem a broad question but my first trip to amsterdam is is nearing. i'm trying to cover the important things i'll need to know and figure out the rest upon arrival (that's what one does in a new country right?) i would just like to know from you experienced travelers...what's the one thing i should definietly know before i get there. thanks!
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pepeh
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
Hi there.
You are really posing a broad question. In fact, it has numorous answers, I give just a few headlines:
DON'T EVER take drugs on the street if you're into that, but go to a liscenced coffeeshop.
"DO" the Anne Frank house, it is not a big thing, but it is very impressive and touching....
DO realize there is more to the Netherlands than just Amsterdam...
Regards
Marcel |
marcel4646
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
Most important is that you get a map as Amsterdam is made in concentric circles (canals) so finding your way is very different from the typical square US city street plan. As for transportation, you can walk most of the things and otherwise use public transportation as the city is cosmopolitic in feel but almost provincial in size. O, and visit the Amsterdam Tourist Office for information on the Amsterdam Card. It gets you free access into all kinds of museums and discounts in restaurants and canal rides, bycicle rental (must-do!) etc. For the rest, have fun and be careful not to drink or ´smoke´ too much or you can end up in one of the canals. |
indegloria
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
End up in the canals!? Not again... haha ha haaaa.... |
markrandom
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
MUST KNOW.... how to let go and enjoy yourself :-) Have a nice trip. |
bruniquel
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
DO ... be polite
DONT...act like a tourist who has money to burn as knows everything. |
geoffboxer
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
Good advice Geoff.
I'll second that! |
geoffboxer
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
I know everything - ha ha ha ha haaaa... |
piglet
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
Do be aware that the usual coffeeshop fare here is normally much stronger than you may be used to, so don't think you can smoke as much or more than normal like most tourists do!
Don't take up the services of the girls on the street in the red light district when the legal ones in the windows are government checked! |
markrandom
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
he girls in the windows are not government checked.
Prostitution is a legal activity, it's not yet a government sponsored activity.
The way it works is the rooms are owned by landlords, who usually take care of cleaning and supplying towels/condoms etc, and the security services (the rooms have a panic button, I've seen once the kind of thugs who form the security service.. believe me you don't want to mess with them :-) The landlords usually also organize medical care and such. Because all landlords know each other they have common rules, such as no trick without a condom.
The ladies rent the room for a fixed price agreed in advance. The first tricks of the day pay the rent. In that sense the landlords are very different from pimps, who take either a percentage or the whole of a night's take.
The girls hawking themselves on the street are normally drug addicts who either can't afford the room or have become blacklisted for breaking the rules.
Going with them is a good way of catching something horrible. |
pepeh
joined:
Oct 2005
amsterdam
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posted on:
2005-10-31 16:24:17
thanks guys, i know the question was general. is hoofdoorp a place that may be worthy of a day trip? i wouldn't mind getting out of the ctiy for an afternoon if there was something really neat to see or do. thanks |
