Going to Amsterdam Solo?

[Nugs]

Has anyone gone to Amsterdam by themselves? I had a friend who went to Europe by himself this past December/January. He said he had a blast. Though, he is a bit different than me... I was just wondering what its like for everyone else.

Conversation makes the time fly by, but what do you do when your there by yourself? Just hang out and check out the coffeeshops? What do you do late night? Go to sleep? Smoke the leftovers from the day in your 'home base' coffeeshop? Have a few beers in the cafe near by? What?

Im interested in experiencing Amsterdam by myself. Just checking out the sites and everything.

Also, when people ask you who are you here with? Wouldn't you telling them your by yourself lead SOME people to think they could take advantage of that?

For me, just some friendly conversation on coffeeshops or cafes would be nice to make the day go by.

Just trying to get a feel for things...

[Tall Guy]

Absolutely do it, I don't know anywhere better for making new friends. I've been on my own a few times and loved it...you meet far more people that way. It really is supremely easy, most coffeeshops are small, so you can't help talking to people. Everyone's high and happy to be there, it's not like a rowdy bar or something. You'll be amazed at the variety of international nutcases you can meet in one day there...

There's something for everyone in Dam, so if you don't like where you are, walk 100m and you'll find somewhere better for sure. Don't worry about safety too much, just keep your wits about you and ignore street hustlers. I've been loads of times and never had a problem, but I am a big fella. And beware pickpockets too, but compared to most cities it's small, friendly, safe and welcoming. The biggest danger you face is becoming hopelessly addicted to the place...like us lot.

[Nugs]

Ive traveled to just about every major city in the United States. Ive been to Mexican border towns and I acutally visited "boy's town" in one of these crappy border towns. Don't ask me what that place is... the name speaks for itself

Ive grown up traveling, but always with someone...

I grew up near a big city. So, I understand the vibe of people. I know how to keep my wits about me. But, its not the same as going solo.

When someone approaches me I just ignore them and keep walking. I don't plan to go near the RLD during the night, but I guess im just wondering how safe things actually are.

Im just a small guy and semi young (im 22) and it would be my first time in Europe. But theres no better way to break my cherry.

Id love to go for 5 nights and stay at a nice hotel and get a feel for the city. But, I don't want to get bored since ill be solo, but I see that being not happening since its Amsterdam.

[Stygian23]

Heh. I went solo. Even roamed the RLD late at night tripped outta my head. Amsterdam is pretty safe. The people are friendly, and there is no need to be paranoid cause you are alone. Just enjoy it.

[courtjester]

Stygian is absolutely right. You're safer walking the RLD in Amsterdam at 12 midnight than walking around 5th Avenue in New York at 12 noon. The only real criminals you're likely to encounter are pickpockets and the hard drug dealers.

If someone looks really shady, and won't leave you alone, just bug out your eyes and half-scream, "NYET!" They all think Russians are complete whack jobs, and you won't be the one who's scared then.

[axeman9]

Travelling to Dam alone is possibly the best way (in my opinion). During the day i wander about the Coffeeshops and streets drinkin coffee (not beer when im solo, i like to be in control) and eating snacks. The only hassles are the dealers.... "coke?" "Ecstasy?".... "come on Surprise yourself!" just say no thanks!. Meeting people aint difficult, although i do like my own company sometimes and like to just sit and stare.

During the night i did exactly the same. The RLD shouldnt put you off late at night either. its safe enough.

Have a good trip

[Nugs]

Hmm you guys aren't making it sound too bad...

Ive been to NYC a few times (after Giulani cleaned it up). I never had any scary moments other than randomly grungy drunk people trying to just talk to me.

I love smoking pot, don't get me wrong... and I know Amsterdam has more of offer than that... but when I smoke I like doing things... like talking politics, religion, life, and so on.... playing video games... watching movies... playing some foosball... you know?

Id love to meet up with some ACDers, Channelites, and Virtual Dammers while im there. I have one or two friends that want to go, but im just thinking ahead incase they don't want to go. Summer is going to be expensive and due to time restraints im thinking December/January is going to be the date.

[FlyByNite]

Hmm you guys aren't making it sound too bad...

im thinking December/January is going to be the date.

It isn't bad at all, I've done several solo trips over the years.

When you get confirmed dates, let me know and I'll post you o the Whos In Town page.

[Redeye]

Ive not done it yet myself but I have to say I actually quite fancy it. When you go with friends I feel I stick in my group and you dont always meet new people that way. I reckon it woul dbe a good experience.

[cannibistourist]

by yourself is great man! no worries about other people being hungry tired or havin to take a piss! you'll always have someone to smoke with because there are always fellow forum mebers about! the best thing is if you feel like vegging out or going into a kamer theres no one to hassle you about it!

[Nugs]

Well im going to go for it for sure next winter. Id love to meet some forum members but from the looks of it meeting up with a bunch of stoners at a certain time seems like a daunting task.

Has anyone ever been to the internet cafe The Mad Processor? What kind of vibe is that place rocking?

[BigRobb]

I might be heading over late September early October solo for a long weekend. I find solo trips give you all the freedom you need. Although a trip to the dam with a friends is always good...

[drummerboy323]

Im here alone right now. I thought it might be dicey but its like Disneyland with sex shops.

[SoenderbronX_DK]

Just get yer ass there I wouldn’t hesitate a second if I had the chance to go on a solo trip, even though I always would prefer bring my girl for obvious reasons

Everything the other guys have posted before is more than true; You would have absolutely no problem meeting more than your share of interesting people (nutballs of the funny nature, debaters, life lovers and all kinds of other people alike) if you are not completely void of any social skills, and that might in it self attracted company We spoke to at least eight different people going solo just on our last trip and all but one had a blast, and that guy was passing thru and had opted for our particular hostel (YH MeetingPoint on Warmoesstraat, right by the RLD) because it was cheap and he thought that he might be able to get some sleep, peace and quiet. Let’s just say that the guy didn’t know that much about Amsterdam in general and Warmoesstraat in particular and obviously found neither of the three in very large quantities…

I must say that I have absolutely no understanding as to how the RLD still has the somewhat bad reputation of being an unsafe and questionable environment. First of all, of all the mayor cities I have visited or had the pleasure of (a few times the lack thereof ) living in (among others New York, Copenhagen, London, Paris, Rome, Cairo, Berlin, Edinburgh and Miami) Amsterdam is by far the city I feel safest in and IMO in fact also one of the safest considering the Dutch general attitude of tolerance and mayor efforts to increase safety. In fact, the RLD is arguably the safest part of Amsterdam, save the odd police station and government building (that is if you’re not afraid of the system ). The RLD is, afaik, the only area of Amsterdam under constant, manned police video surveillance, it is patrolled by police 24/7 all year around, mounted, in vehicles and on foot. The girls in the RLD also employ private security forces, but a few locals we had the chance to talk to gave them a lot of shit for being mostly desperate, power hungry losers who probably couldn’t get a job elsewhere and tend to start more shit than they mend.

We had a run-in with a guy I strongly suspect was in fact one of said security personnel (noticed him hanging around the “narrow alley” area by the bulldogs without paying any interest to the girls, somewhat looking as if he had a job that did not involve pickpocketing and regularly spoke to others who carried earpieces and such). As we were walking by the bulldogs just by the “narrow alley” the joint we were puffin’ on gave me a seriously watering mouth (and not just cuz it was so yummy, hit pretty hard too ) and I happened to spit an excess amount of saliva into the canal on my left just as he zoomed all to close past us (could have hit my GF hard had she taken one step to the right). There is no way I was anywhere near to hitting him, among other things the GF were in between us, but this guy made a very dramatic halt (he must have thought so at least) and shouted “What the fuck?! Did you just spit at me you stupid American?!” (Dunno where he got that idea, born and raised in Denmark, and although my accent is from the states as my mother who lived there taught me early I didn’t speak a word prior to this). Although this dude was way out of line, and had it been back home we would have had serious words, I was all to happy and stoned to give a fuck so the gf and I defused the situation very quickly and got right back to strolling aimlessly around late at night in a fantastic place.

Now, even though being by yourself is a different thing, and I am not the best of examples (6”4’, 254 pounds and a self-confident attitude drives away most of the piss-ants who would otherwise bother you), my girlfriend walked thru the RLD on several occasions all by her self and never felt unsafe, and even though she can take care of herself and is also quite confident she is by no means a big and threatening woman. In fact, any time before 3 or so in the morning there isn’t even much need to look like you know where you’re going, that you have been there before and know how to get by there, which in my experience is by far the best way of avoiding any kind of shit almost everywhere… On the other hand, standing around with a map in your hand, looking confused, lost and a little under the influence with €s sticking out your pockets could and almost certainly will get you mugged at night time in almost any city with a population of more than a few thousand …

I hope you go and have a blast, it is extremely unlikely that you will not, that I think we can all agree on!

SBX_DK

[Bernum]

i went to Amsterdam and travelled Europe by myself also, and had an awesome time..., there was just one incident,
--see "Finding weed story/ies" in the Coffeeshops and Cannabis section,
that was a bit shady...but like SBX says, keep your brains in your head and you'll be fine.