My wife and I will be spending the Christmas Season in Amsterdam this year for the first time. My wife is also having one of those important birthdays then and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on something unique that we might do to make the day memorable. (Note: we're not Red Light District types) She loves cooking, art, crafts so maybe a workshop at someplace like the Poptasi or some other Bakery? She's a great gardener. Loves flowers. She's also costume designer and likes fabrics/antique clothes/lace. We haven't smoked pot in a long time but even some danger dining that involves cannabis and baked goods might be an option. Any ideas?
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
Hi Greg. I see no one has responded so I'll give it a try. It sounds like you already have some good ideas, like workshops. I'd guess that the famous flower markets won't be functioning in the winter (though who knows, with global demand), but have you looked into visiting a market? Is there a textile or lace museum in or near Amsterdam you could visit? As far as pot, I've heard that the government is finally cracking down on foreigners buying it. Maybe someone else on this board who has more information than me will chime in, but the last I heard was the govt. was cracking down and Amsterdam was fighting the new law because it may impact tourism. Space cakes (i.e. hash brownies) aren't dangerous. I like(d) to go to Barney's Cafe on Haarlemmerstraat to buy space cake. If you eat a small muffin, you're high for a couple hours and you'll probably get hungry and thirsty.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9103 posts
"...As far as pot, I've heard that the government is finally cracking down on foreigners buying it. Maybe someone else on this board who has more information than me will chime in, but the last I heard was the govt. was cracking down and Amsterdam was fighting the new law because it may impact tourism...." This topic was discussed a few weeks ago on the board. The "weed pass" plan to prevent tourists from patronizing coffeeshops has been scrapped. For Amsterdam at least it will be business as usual.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
5 posts
OK. Thanks for the response on the cannabis issue, but has anyone ever taken a workshop say on baking or chocolate-making or anything else uniquely Dutch? Is there a good site for those work/workshop possibilities?
Thanks
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9103 posts
By doing a Google search I came up with this: http://www.thekitchen.nl/ and this: http://amsterdam.angloinfo.com/af/466/amsterdam-cookery-classes-and-wine-courses.html
Posted by
PA
2752 posts
One caveat about cannabis. You say you've not done pot in a long time. Ditto us. The stuff is seriously way stronger than what we had last had at home many years ago.
Even eating it (as we can't handle smoke) we found this to be much more of an experience than we had wanted, and after a while, not pleasant.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
5 posts
Thanks Folks. Yes Larry. Understood about stronger stuff.
Appreciate Sarah your input on that. Patience and small doses. Might also just do chocolate as well. Thanks Michael on the culinary research. Found a few possibilities. Best to all.