Amsterdam: Anne Frank and the Speakeasy

4/18/2023

Well today was a long day, tomorrow will be too. But for sure, I ain't walking up these 4 flights of this damn hotel but once a day so my ass is staying out when I leave the first time around!

Had breakfast at Dignita Hoftuin which is off the chain! Ate at Nieuw Amsterdam for lunch- they offered specialty coffees: Spanish, Italian, Irish and French - here I go:

"Oh it's like a French Press?"

No - they all are alcoholic to their custom. Finished off with dinner at de Planche and drinks at Door 74. I recommend all of them on your trip. De Plantage, although in an establishment that holds about 100 patrons, I was the only black face even for staff- it's next to the zoo and Microbia - and I pulled a long ass piece of blonde hair from the underside of my food and not even a discount given, just an oops - that doesn't fly in the States. AMS is just getting on the cocktail scene so you will notice there are none on most menus - maybe a Moscow Mule and Espresso Martini. Door 74 is one of two, I think, speakeasies and it holds true. Unmarked door, quiet close interior, vibin' music and a bartender ready to create an off the menu cocktail.

Anne Frank/Jewish Quarter Tour

I took the Anne Frank tour I found on Expedia through 360 Amsterdam tours- much of a wasted tour , to be honest. Guide was nice but super soft spoken and walked way too fast - I have long legs and it was speedy and didn't talk about anything else as we walked by. Went to a few spots that I could have done on my own just looking at the list and wiki'ing them. PS. Anne Frank's 'House' and museum , from the front is super boring. Don't even bother going by it unless you get museum tickets which can sell out 3-6 weeks in advanced. I never went in, no tickets.

But while we walked near Dam square, I saw some places I wanted to return to and did - first was the Magna Mall, beautiful architecture and all the advertisement on the walls and building showed how many stores and a food court - I walked in, saw the store Mango and a Henri Willig shop....and nothing else but the souvenir stand!!! Took 2 elevators up to nothing. This mall is more deserted than the Rhode Island Mall back home (hey, did they convert it into something yet or is KB Toys and Footlocker still holding on?). Anyways, I moved back to Dam square and went to H&M - they always find a way to buy out the largest and oldest buildings in the city lol. I don't generally shop at H&M but when the fashion is different in another country and clothes are inexpensive, I'm there. Actually left with 2 pair of jeans and a pair of shorts - and I'm offended that high waisted shorts that actually cover my butt cheeks are called MOM SHORTS! And with these underaged kids walking around with jiggle down under showing....hold on, lemme not get on my soapbox.

I shopped. There was an Asian store over there too- literally called Asian Spirit. But you walk in, and it's all fairies, Egyptian, magic, goblins, witches and trolls. Cool - I can't buy anything because, I'd be the one to catch polio putting some unknown symbol around my neck or adorning my house. Nah Nah.

Botanical Garden

My last adventure was the Botanical Garden - yeah I got about 17,000 steps in today. Mostly an outdoor arrangement of native plants that love this chilly weather over long periods of time - camilas and bulbs like tulips. It was ok. Because it is outside, they position them as such, but they do

not replace them when they die and sometimes there is nothing to take it's place - not bad, but it's not the set up like you see in DC. There is a butterfly enclosure (since being in Ecuador at the Mindo Farm, I don't think anyone can beat that). For $13, I can't complain.

Things to Know

Carry a VISA and cash, many places are cashless and some do not take AMEX (but AMEX users already know that).

Pack an umbrella wherever you go - I learned this after doing a layover in Zurich on a holiday - so it's raining and no stores were opened, so a wet sop I was. Also, carry TP (toilet paper) - not every place is well stocked although AMS has been good so far.

Macaroons are just as expensive here as anywhere else $3-5 a piece. And bakeries have

sugar overload treats, such as a pastry filled with chocolate, topped with more and then adorned with a whole piece of candy, such as a twix bar.

Also, a famous saying here is "DON'T ASK FOR COFFEE AT A COFFEESHOP". Helpful tip, go to a cafe if you aren't looking for drugs.

Amsterdam is very liberal - so gays are proud and free (no shade), prostitutes are admired (again, no shade) and cannabis is in bubblegum and lollipops in your local convenience store (peaked an interest?)