Over Rated City... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Canadian Dude** · 10-25-2003, 04:30 PM

Well I just can't get outta my head how over rated Amsterdam is, so over rated in fact I wish I had not made the second trip there.

I do not hate the city at all, the city it self is pretty amazing, but I would say a major reason people go there is to go to the Red Light District. I stayed there and I was sick of it with in hours...

The Drug scene...not quite what it was when I was here a few years back...That is probably me though....Stoned tourist with slured speech wondering around at 11am, or street dealers bugging you every time you step outside the hostel to go out for a smoke...Now this is my own fault I know, I am the one that booked a hostel right smack dab in the middle of the Red Light District. But I still feel like complaining about it.

The Sex scene...Gets very old, very quick, you can only check out so many sex shops, which you begin to realize are all the same with the DVD of a girl shagg'n a dog hanging in the window, or some massive dildo hanging there to catch your eye. The LIVE sex shows they have are bla, uninterested people on stage shagging with limp dicks and a straight face....

Any where you go, you are sholder to shoulder with some tour group of seniors, wether its looking at a red curtain of an un opened hooker window, or a painting at the Van Gogh...

What got me through the couple days I did spend there was the arcitecture, and a free festival I came across.

This has been bugging me for a while, and I had to get it off my chest...My first trip to Amsterdam was great, because it was the first time, but I think I could have spent my time better somewhere else the second time...

(

Sorry for the Rant, I had a bad day

)

TUI · 10-25-2003, 06:40 PM

didnt piss me off... in fact I couldnt agree more

However my bi-anual trips to dam will resume due to my love for a cup of coffee, a newspaper and a fat blunt without the stress of the thought of a cop finding me

If I wasnt such I stoner, I wouldnt bother and would probably head down to the south eastern part of Europe instead

I hope

2morrow your feeling better bro

**Canadian Dude** · 10-25-2003, 06:45 PM

Sitting in a shop reading a paper with a fat blunt is totally cool bro

...I am talking about those rookie pot smokers who could puff parsley and get the same effect

...those are the ones you see out in the street making ass's of themselves...WAY to many of those...

**Diorama** · 10-26-2003, 02:06 AM

whats wrong cd?

I wuv ya

dam never been. i have no comment

**worldwidemike** · 10-26-2003, 04:14 AM

Hey CD,

I know how you feel...sometimes you just get pissed off at a city or people (could be the tourists, locals, whatever). Venting's okay.

I've been to Amsterdam only once, and it was a last minute replacement trip. So, I wasn't expecting much, and was pleasantly surprised by the scenic canals, 17th-18th century buildings, etc. I don't do the drug or prostitute thing, so that wasn't an attraction (although I DID walk through, just to see -- tourist, I know!).

Hang in there, CD! Take a train trip somewhere and get out of the city...might recharge your batteries!

worldwidemike

**travelpunk** · 10-26-2003, 02:47 PM

I hear ya, loud and clear bro! You said the unspeakable...

Okay, this is like that scene from Jerry Mcguire. He just finished his mission statement, everyone has, he walks through the lobby, everyone claps, then two guys are shown saying "how long do you give him?" and the other guy says "about a week(the he would be fired for speaking his conscience)" as they continue to clap

Know what I'm talking about?

2 days in ADam was too long for me. I hear you on everything you mentioned. But I was stoked about visiting the Anne Frank house and the canals were very beautiful.
Other than that, it wasn't for me. I'd go back, but only for a day trip

.

**Canadian Dude** · 10-27-2003, 01:28 PM

Thnaks for the support folks, I feel better knowing that i am not the only one who feels this way!!!

I was haveing a bad day and I really needed to vent....

You guys all rawk!!!

**joanofarc** · 03-19-2004, 10:43 AM

it's so true, cd - and funny how nobody ever wants to say it... maybe don't want to spoil it for first timers...

i'm with tui - if i wasn't such a stoner - i'd probably never go back... but alas, i do love that coffee and joint combo! B)

**worldwidemike** · 03-23-2004, 06:53 AM

Joanie, baby, you love that anything and joint combo!

worldwidemike

**cliffo** · 03-25-2004, 10:09 AM

I can now add my 2 cents. I was in Amsterdam for three days and really enjoyed it there...and no guys i don't toke

I liked the vibe of the place for some reason, even if the smell of dope in parts was a bit on the strong side.

Maybe its a once-only visit kind of a city CD?

**AdamTheCultured** · 03-25-2004, 08:13 PM

I have been there twice....i must say a draft Heneiy a few blocks from the Heneikken brewery was the best liquid i have ever consumed....that combined with a finely rolled spliff of silver haze or white widow...combined with the architecture and canals is an overwhlemingly splendid experience......And i've been to the Van Gogh museum both times, and I cant wait to go back.....

However, NO, i couldnt spend more then 2-3 days there