Koningsplain Webcam


This is a nostalgia websites that is part of a unique online autobiography. It may not be a source of up-to-date information. This is a guide to Amsterdam in the Netherlands as it was in its hay-days, before the commencement of the Mayan Calender in 2012.

Hotels Near:

• Amsterdam Station
• Red Light District
• Amsterdam Arena

HOTELS IN AMSTERDAM

Guides & Info

I Amsterdam Holland Travel Guide Online Guide To Amsterdam AViewOnCities - Amsterdam WikiTravel - Amsterdam Internet Guide To Amsterdam Amsterdam Channels Get Lost! The cool guide to A'dam Time Out Guide to Amsterdam Amsterdam Connect Guide Smokers Guide to Amsterdam Coffee Guide to Amsterdam Dutch White Pages Dutch Yellow Pages Public holidays in the Netherlands

Maps

Google Maps - Amsterdam Amsterdam Area Map by viamichelin.co.uk Interactive Map of Amsterdam Metro/Bus Rout Planner Departure = Van, Destination = Naar, Town = Plaats, Street = Straat, House Number = Huisnr, Date = Datum, Time = Tijd Map of Amsterdam Searchable Map Of A'dam Post Code Zone Map

Online Dictionaries

Google Translate AltaVista - Babel Fish Dictionary.com - Translator Langenberg - Translations

Miscellaneous Links

Overheid.nl (in English) Netherlands Post (News in English) Dutch News (News in English) Move To Netherlands DutchAmsterdam.nl Amsterdam.nl Panoramas Of Amsterdam Amsterdam.info | Amsterdam Webcam Amsterdam Connect | Guide Kalverstraat Online The Amsterdam Site Amsterdam Webcams Experience Amsterdam Pictures Of Amsterdam Pictures of The Netherlands Amsterdam Expat Meet In Amsterdam Expatica.com Elynex.nl All About Houseboats Wireless Internet in Amsterdam Dutch Security & Justice Statistics Royal Dutch Embassy, Washington DC Dutch Clubs Around The World The Holland Ring Dutch American - Wikipedia Music of the Netherlands - Wikipedia

Internet Radio

Netherlands Online Radio Stations WebRadio.nl Dutch Online Radio Radio Netherlands Worldwide - English Radio Free Amsterdam

Banking

ING Bank ABN - AMRO Post Bank ANWB Visa

Although we hope our visitors find links on our website useful, AdamGuide.com makes no representations whatsoever about any of the companies or the websites to which we may link and is not responsible for the content, any use of same, or consequences arising there from.

Hippy @ Yahoo! Visit the Group

Hip Amsterdam @ Yahoo! Visit the Group

A flower stand on a street in A'dam





On the Atlantic Ocean in 1969

The first Dutch city I visited was Rotterdam. It was just before my eighteenth birthday during the Vietnam War in 1969. Many young Americans such as I left the country for Mexico, Canada or Europe to avoid the draft. After leaving Chicago for Montreal, Canada I boarded a transatlantic Ocean liner and headed for Europe. Many may not know this today, but in those days young man had to register for the armed forces after their eighteenth birthday. Most of those that did used to end up going to the war. I lost a few friends in that senseless war. So I wasn't eager to join them. So there I was, on board a ship headed for Europe. I didn't want to leave my homeland but the situation drove me to it. Now looking back, I think it was the right choice or many reasons. If one wants to find oneself then one should pack a backpack and head for the Old World, and that's what changed my life for ever. So there I was, on this big ship for about two weeks where I saw nothing but an endless ocean. That's when I realized how small we are on the face of our planet and how much we are at the will of Mother Nature. At one point towards the end of that journey, our ship went into a rough storm on the North Sea. So I'll never forget those winds and big waves that kept throwing our ship in all directions. After docking in Rotterdam and setting my foot on Dutch soil for the first time, I felt as if I returned to a long lost home. I still feel that way whenever I cross the Dutch boarder, even though as far as I know it I'm not Dutch and I don't speak the language. But there was no problem in communicating there because most people spoke English as a second language. I don't know what it is I love about Holland so much. Perhaps I lived there in a past life or perhaps there may be some other reasons? I didn't stay long in Holland on that visit, but I promised myself to return there for a longer stay when I could. I've been through other storms on ships to Copenhagen and Montreal since then, but I'll never forget the one on the North Sea before docking in Rotterdam and discovering the Netherlands. Read more about my 1960s experiences here.

Flesh Player required













“You don't love Amsterdam... Amsterdam loves you.”
~ Jesus on Amsterdam (uncyclopedia.wikia.com)

Here's some information I'd like to share about Amsterdam in the Netherlands*. It's been once said that the Netherlands is where the richest poor people in the world live and the poorest rich people in the world. That's probably because the Netherlands is a Socialist country where residents enjoy many more social benefits and freedoms then people in other countries and all that has its price.

Amsterdam is a city that was built on the river Amstel. Many dams were built on that river to hold back the flood waters; hence the name Amsterdam. There are also those that say it's a Japanese mispronunciation of "Amsteldam" that the Portuguese went with because they needed the trade with Japan. Whatever... Today, Amsterdam is inhabited by about 1,350,000 tourists, all kinds of bohemian type pilgrims and aliens from Area 51 that can't legally smoke the sacred plant in America . The city has also been called the Venice of the North and has become something like a holy land or Disneyland for hippies, artists and bohemians from all sides of the planet. Maybe it's the canals, the houseboats, red lights or the rickety shack crooked canal houses that make one feel high in Amsterdam. Perhaps it's the peculiar sweet scent in the air and the high concentration of healing minerals that act on us like a narcotic substance? Or perhaps it's the Heineken beer that gives it that high spirit? I don't know what it is? Or perhaps it's the coffeeshops, Smart Shops, Head Shops, bicycles, night clubs, gay scene, bathhouses, parades, house music, gigolos, prostitutes, Red Light District, museums, bars, rainbow flags, Amsterdam hotels, live shows, shops, parks etc. But no! There must be something more to it then that...

I imagine the spirit of Amsterdam as a fair young goddess or god, clad in an intricate fabric knitted of all those city attractions, and decorated with a brilliant diamond necklace that symbolize the many precious things that the city has to offer and its diamond industry. I believe I've also found an earlier image of that spirit portrayed in one of Rembrandt's best known works. But that's another story. The coffeeshops and other attractions I mentioned earlier are a very important part of that Amsterdam culture. Without those the city would loose a lot of its charm. But there are some folks that feel ashamed of what the city has come to represent, who would like to close some of those city attractions down. Well, all I can say is that I am ashamed for them, and proud to say that I do love Amsterdam as it is and for what it is not.

Amsterdam is the Capitol of the Netherlands, but the seat of the government is in The Hague (Den Haag). The Hague is also a hometown of two legendary 1960s Dutch Rock Bands:
- Golden Earring - recorded the top USA hit single "Radar Love".
- Shocking Blue (1967-74) - recorded "Venus", #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit single in February 1970.

There are more canales in Amsterdam then in Venice and more bridges then in Paris and bicycles are the primary form of transport throughout the Netherlands. Generally speaking, Amsterdam is like another world parallel to ours. I think it is what the rest of the Western could be like if people would become less restrictive and more pragmatic. But that doesn't mean that it's a paradise. If you're looking for a paradise or something better then try going to for example Prague in the Czech Republic because Amsterdam has many problems; though much progress has been made. However, problems will not be discussed here, but one should be warned that roses have thorns and that not everything is as rosy as it seems anywhere in the world. So my advice is not to expect too much, to be prepared for anything and to take it easy.

Generally speaking, the Dutch are very intelligent people that have a great understanding of human nature; its weaknesses and need for happiness. But there are at least three types of opinion groups on Amsterdam. The first group are the liberals and non-conformists that would like to see more places like it. The second are less tolerant folks, the conformists that would like to limit some freedoms in Amsterdam. There may also be some among those that may even hope to see the city fall and serve as an example for others not to follow. Finally, the third and the least noticed are those that take what we call "freedoms" to be as normal as nude sunbathing on many European beaches, for example. I happen to belong to that last group. And as an American expat residing in Europe, I have also observed the expansion of American culture and politics and the negative influence some of it has had on the indigenous European cultures in the past. Therefore, I'm happy that we can still enjoy what's left of the liberal European culture that's given us so much inspiration and its Bohemianism.

To simplify Europe a bit for those Americans who have never been to the Old Continent, and that's probably about 95% or more, I'll begin by explaining the difference between Eastern and Western Europe in a nutshell. So, imagine that Western Europe is a bit like the Northern United States, and Eastern Europe is like the Sun Belt States in the South accept for the climate, with Russia for its oil rich and uncontrolled Lone Star Republic of Texas. Monaco is a gambling Disneyland like Las Vegas or Atlantic City. And Amsterdam is a lot like San Francisco or New Orleans in some other ways. Amsterdam could also be compared to Manhattan and New Jersey and other places. And on the map of the world, imagine the Netherlands to be like the over-populated and below sea-level Bangladesh of Europe but with high standard of living. Well, there you have it in a nutshell. That's the magic caldron called Europe that many Americans came from.

The Dutch have also incorporated many elements from their former colonies in Bali, Indonesia, Africa, India, the Far East or the Caribbean making it a truly cosmopolitan place already in the Middle Ages. And do you remember the Middle Ages? Remember the Dutch Masters that painted naked women, the books that were published in Amsterdam that couldn't be published anywhere else for ex. Copernicus' book (1632), the world's first true central bank or the Dutch cows that revolutionized the milk industry, which I think Amsterdam's main shopping street Kalverstraat takes it's name from? Well, that's the free and innovative spirit the Dutch have represented and exported to the world.

Though Holland** has changed much since I first visited it in 1969, Amsterdam has managed to keep a lot of the charm that used to be found in Haight-Ashbury, Chicago's Old Town or New York's Greenwich Village in the 1960s but on a different scale. But don't be surprised not to find many hippies or peace signs in A'dam. Things are changing, and I'm not sure if they're changing for the better. But that is a global trend in our times. But I still haven't given up hope that we could make this a better world.

I have always believed that there where is a lot of freedom there is spiritual, intellectual and material growth. An example of that have been the Netherlands and City of Amsterdam, its Mother. Though not without problems, Amsterdam has been probably the most congenial urban environment I've found*** . Therefore, I'm proud to say that I love Amsterdam, that it is my "Paris", that what Paris was to Balzac, Gertrude Stein, Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway and many others. Perhaps it's just a beautiful dream... But wasn't the world built on dreams? And weren't some of the greatest dreamers of our time people such as Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Wernher von Braun, Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon or the many men and women that received a Nobel Peace Prize or an Academy Award (Oscar)? Just to name a few...

Footnotes:
* The name means "low-lands" because much of the Netherlands is far below sea level.
** The name comes form the words "holt" and "land" i.e. forest-land.
*** So far, I have been only to England, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Rep., France and Canada.

Here's more information and advise for a pleasant stay in Amsterdam.

Most of the Netherlands is not like Amsterdam. Almost everyone in Amsterdam speaks English. Amsterdam is the hometown of Heineken Beer, Amstel Beer and it's the world's leading diamond cutting, production and trade center. That's why since 1586 it has also been called "The City Of Diamonds". And it has also been well known for its coffee shops (spelled "coffeeshop" in Holland) where cannabis has been sold and smoked since the 16th Century. But if you're not into that and would like just a coffee then you could also have one there or you could visit a regular café instead. Please remember that smoking weed in regular cafés, coffee houses, restaurants and in other public places is not allowed, and that there is a difference between coffeeshops, cafés or coffee houses. Those and many other things that would be too numerous to mention here are what makes Amsterdam the most interesting international city in Europe. But for me, what makes Amsterdam such a wonderful place are the friendly, easy-going and open-hearted people. Though that has changed a bit for the worse since the earlier days of the 1960-70s when it used to Europe's hippie Mecca.

I should explain that I'm not recommending taking drugs or coming in contact with prostitutes or anyone else. My aim is to information those who may decide to indulge in such activity of some of the hazards or dangers involved. The reader should also be aware that there may be many other things to look out for that I may have failed to mention in this short article. So, utmost care should be taken when one decides to indulge in the many liberties Amsterdam or any other such place in the world may have to offer. And please remember that because of international pressures mainly from the USA and its allies in the UN, cannabis is formally illegal around the world, and users are allowed to posses only a couple grams of the herb in the Netherlands. But in spite of that, cannabis is tolerated and taxed in the coffeeshops and smart shops. The coffeeshops, smart shops and other such businesses pay about 52% tax on their earnings (You thought your taxes are too high?). One can walk into any coffeeshop and order a coffee, a joint or both in Amsterdam. Though I do recommend purchasing some loose stuff and rolling your own because some of the prerolled joints may be packed with other substances or may have little if any weed in them. When the first popular coffeeshops opened in Rotterdam in the 1960s they sold potent Moroccan hash. So, users used to mix the hash with tobacco and roll them into joints. So if one has kicked nicotine addiction then one could easily get back on it in the process. Fortunately, the mixing of tobacco with weed in coffeeshops was banned in 2008. So, a coffeeshop is a great place to visit for coffee, tea or some herb. And hey, what would a visit to Amsterdam be without a visit to a coffeeshop? The coffeeshops are one of the most recognizable embodiment of Freedom that Amsterdam has always symbolized. I believe hat is something all Amsterdamers should be proud of. Otherwise the city would not attract as many tourists as it has, would not be so dynamic, and it would probably become as boring as many other place of the world.

The price of a coffee or a joint is often similar, about 2.50 Euros. But one doesn't have to buy weed every time one visits a coffeeshop. After ordering you could stay as long as you like, sip on your coffee or tea, smoke a joint without worrying of being fined or arrested, read a paper, a book, listen to music or just gaze at the sealing if that turns you on. But coffeeshops won't tolerate behavior that may be annoying to others. It is also not uncommon in Amsterdam as well as in other foreign countries to share seats at tables with other guests when establishments are crowded. And yes, there are things one should remember not to do in Amsterdam... Some of them are taking pictures of women in the windows of the Red Light District, urinating on the streets and other public places or smoking weed in public places such as restaurants, coffee houses or on streets. There are fines for littering, spitting and smoking too. There is also a garbage Police that has investigators scrupulously going through people's litter in search of wrongly segregated litter and evidence of peoples identities on ATM card payment receipts, for example. So, I have an original idea for a TV series entitled "The Dutch Garbage Police". I'm sure it could be made into a good comedy show .

There is a large selection of weed and hash in coffeeshops. So if you visit one, ask to see the menu before ordering. You should also remember that unlike the stuff you're used to back home the stuff they sell in A'dam is of high quality and can really kick-ass. Some is listed as "hydro" meaning that it was grown hydroponically and other as "bio" meaning it was grown in soil or organically. And also don't forget to ask about the percentage of Sattiva and Indica in the weed because that makes difference in the high you'll get. Whatever you do, do not buy anything on the streets because you will probably get ripped off at the least. In spite of such easy access to cannabis products, "studies have shown that the average use of it in Holland is lower compared to most surrounding countries." (from: "Prohibition open to be challenged" by J.S. Van Der Stad, Summer 2008)

Amsterdam is also more tolerant of gays and lesbians then many other cities in the world. There are many gay and lesbian bars in A'dam. But the community is smaller and not as well organized or wide spread as in some American cities such as Chicago, San Francisco or New York. I've been told that the popular cruising areas are Vondelpark by the rose garden after dusk and the wooded Nieuwe Meer area in the southwest of the city. Amsterdam also has very liberal prostitution laws. However, caution is strongly advised in terms of personal safety particularly on Paardenstraat where there are many male hustlers. There are also new boutiques being opened in buildings owned by one of the city's leading developers in the Red Light district where one could buy a gift for the Wife after visiting a prostitute next door , which I think is very thoughtful.

We Are Proud!

You should also remember that space cakes, cookies or bonbons containing weed or hash sold in some places kick in after a few hours. So don't hesitate to ask the staff how many you should eat. And do not eat more then recommended because they are very powerful and the high you get on those is almost like on LSD. Some unknowing tourists sometimes overdose and later are found lying around wasted on pavements giving Amsterdam a bad name. Also, remember that no one under 18 is allowed to enter coffeeshops, and IDs are checked. The cannabis products sold in gift shops and grocery stores have little THC content and are a lot safer to use because they won't make one high.

Here are a few last words of advise for a pleasant stay in this short article about Amsterdam. First of all, avoid walking along bicycle lanes. When you hear a bike bell, quickly get out of the way. I have another idea for a Dutch horror movie. It could be called "The Killer Bike(s)" . Whatever! Anyway... In A'dam as well in other metropolitan areas of the world you should avoid staying out late. So it is also advised not to stay out after 1:00 AM in the center of Amsterdam. One should also lookout for pickpockets on side streets around Nieuwendijk, the Southern end of Zeedijjk, the streets off the Damrak, all other popular tourist spots and the public transport routs to and from the airport and most of all at the Central Station. Finally, a 2007 Reader's Digest test has shown that the Dutch are not exactly the most honest people in the world (read more about it here, here or here). So, as in other world locations, tourists should watch their bags and belongings at all times.

People in the Netherlands tend to speak their mind and thus may be taken to be rude by some. Sometimes one may also feel pushed around in shops or find people jumping in front of them in queues at grocery stands. So if that happens, don't let it get you down. Besides those discouraging points that the Dutch need to work on some more, Holland is a safe place to visit. The Dutch are very kind, friendly people and conservative people. Generally speaking, they are modest and one won't find many Dutch folks smoking weed in public because they prefer to do that in the comfort of their home. If one is fortunate to befriend one of those folks, then one is very lucky because the Dutch don't make friends easily. But once they become friends then they often become lifetime friends. If one's to function well in Amsterdam it is sometimes wise to belong to some subculture group. I think the largest ones are the Techno Music, hemp, Yoga and gay related ones. But there are many others depending on your interests.

Cannabis College

The above article was written for a carefree tourist that would be spending time more intensively then the rest. It's for a tourist with a higher profile that may attract pickpockets and other types that tend to prey on careless tourists. So please use your common sense when traveling anywhere around the world and your trip should turn out to be a memorable one.

I guess that's all the basics stuff I could think of that a tourist should know for a pleasant stay in Amsterdam. So, what are you waiting for? Hop over to Amsterdam and Rock & Roll all night and party ev-er-ee-day!

Hippies used to gather, play music, sing, practice free love
and also crash for the night in their sleeping bags 
around this phallic shaped Monument Of The Unknown Soldier. 
It was also the place where the Provo freedom action group
used to hold its PROVOcative rallies in the 1960s.