Happy New Year Techies, here is the first blog of the new year, by a my good friend the multi-talented Jahbhang, a writer, scholar and hip-hop artist. We met in Amsterdam when I was the Producer of the High Times Cannabis Cup with my company 420tours. He was the guy that always knew what and where and who in that lovely city. Here is his scholarly take on the age old question, where do i get stoned in Amsterdam!? Read on techers, this is good stuff. At the bottom is a link to his myspace page where you can enjoy trax from his latest album.
COFFEE SHOP TALK by Jahbhang
My two years living in Amsterdam were filled with many glorious moments - cultural epiphanies, vivid personal introspections, and festive freedoms that I had never before experienced. They were also filled with moments of grave loneliness and grand feelings of “what am I doing here.” Amsterdam is a vortex. It offers the best of times; it offers the worst of times. This vortex encompasses and ensnares many ex-pats as well as many of the local “Amsterdamers”. The drive train of the vortex is the 250-some odd coffee shops that are smattered around the city. Many of these coffee shops are wonderful and magical places that can, upon entry, mystify even the staunchest of stiffs into a willingness to partake in the local fare. Everyone is welcome in the coffee shop and conversation abounds. Herein lies the essence of the vortex. The allure of the proverbial coffee shop conversation is too much for many to deny, and once submerged in its bowels of communion and levity it is hard to crawl out. The level and degree of personal engagement depends upon what type of coffee shop one visits. There are three general categories of coffee shops, 1) Local 2) Tourist and 3) Local-Tourist. Though all places accommodate varying degrees of levity and relaxation, it might serve one well to have a short overview of the differences in their customs of conversation.
. Although there are areas closer to the center where there is a much higher concentration of shops, every sub-neighborhood, regardless of proximity, has it’s local coffee shop that lies far away from the giddy and elated tourists that swarm the center. Walking into many local coffee shops is often a sobering experience. Your local coffee shops can be a bit dry and intimidating. Though lively moments do occur, i.e. watching a big soccer match, the overall vibes are cool and collected. Conversation here is coded, short, direct and explicit. Men dominate the local coffee shops and therefore so does their speech. Cool is a must and the conversation shows it. From girls to sports, to business, to politics, to illicit activity, the local coffee shop is “classic” in its own right. It often reflects the ethnic diversity, or lack thereof, in the area of town it is located. Though sometimes greeted by packs of stone-faced Moroccans, White Dutchmen, or Surinamese, the local coffee shop is generally quite friendly and can give one a true glimpse into the parol of underground Amsterdam..
Tourist coffee shops abound and are rarely frequented by locals. Many of them lie in close proximity to Amsterdam’s Central Station and/or the Red Light District. These coffee shops are full of fun and quite accessible. You might not experience much Dutch culture here, but you will meet people from all around the world. Hoards of young French make the relatively short journey to come and frequent many of these mainstream establishments. The French are just as astonished as the Americans to be in Amsterdam. The conversation tends to fall somewhere in between “where are you from” and “isn’t this cool”. Everyone seems to be going through cultural anomie, desperately trying to embrace something they’re just not quite accustomed to.
My personal favorites are the local/tourist coffee shops. Here one will find a vibrant mix of local Dutch and “you name it”. Also, you will find a more balanced sex ratio here, to say the least. I have had some of my greatest times and met some of the most interesting people in these types of coffee shops. Here conversation ranges from anything to everything. You will hear Dutch, English, French, German, Surinamese Patois, Arabic, Nigerian, and other indecipherable tongues from around the world. English, however, reigns supreme in this arena. Because these types of coffee shops attract people from everywhere, English then becomes the way to equalize an otherwise overwhelming multi-national experience. The pot is also not to be discounted in providing conversational cohesiveness for these multi-ethnic bastions of peace and intrigue. It was in these types of establishments that I tightened up my freestyle, met my first girlfriend in Amsterdam, learned about both Dutch history and Amsterdam’s ethnic make-up. I also learned to speak a little Dutch, and distinguish between different varieties of hash from around the world.
At times I felt I was wasting my time caught up in the never-ending abyss of coffee shop conversation. My guilt at being blindly accepted was overridden by the anecdotal knowledge that I acquired by listening to people who had done things I might never do myself. This is the allure of a vortex that is affirming for all and enriching to most. However, I warn those who spend a few days in Amsterdam and become enamored with the idea of “living in a place like this forever”. The vortex is powerful and even the most erudite and intellectual of ex-pat vagabonds are not beyond its “tractor-beamish” forces. However enlightening the coffee shop experience can be, it comes with a price and is not for the faint of heart. Many once competent vibrant souls now sit in the coffee shops waiting for the next tidbit of worldly information to be downloaded to them. The thrill of the international experience can ironically make one sedentary. Maybe now you will know what to expect and where to go to have your customized coffee shop conversation and experience. Whether your flavor is Local, Tourist, or Local/Tourist, hopefully you now have a bit more insight into what to expect the next time you’re in Amsterdam. Just beware of the verbal vortex. No one is beyond its comforting grip.
http://www.myspace.com/jahbhang
http://www.airtech.com
COFFEE SHOP TALK by Jahbhang
My two years living in Amsterdam were filled with many glorious moments - cultural epiphanies, vivid personal introspections, and festive freedoms that I had never before experienced. They were also filled with moments of grave loneliness and grand feelings of “what am I doing here.” Amsterdam is a vortex. It offers the best of times; it offers the worst of times. This vortex encompasses and ensnares many ex-pats as well as many of the local “Amsterdamers”. The drive train of the vortex is the 250-some odd coffee shops that are smattered around the city. Many of these coffee shops are wonderful and magical places that can, upon entry, mystify even the staunchest of stiffs into a willingness to partake in the local fare. Everyone is welcome in the coffee shop and conversation abounds. Herein lies the essence of the vortex. The allure of the proverbial coffee shop conversation is too much for many to deny, and once submerged in its bowels of communion and levity it is hard to crawl out. The level and degree of personal engagement depends upon what type of coffee shop one visits. There are three general categories of coffee shops, 1) Local 2) Tourist and 3) Local-Tourist. Though all places accommodate varying degrees of levity and relaxation, it might serve one well to have a short overview of the differences in their customs of conversation.
. Although there are areas closer to the center where there is a much higher concentration of shops, every sub-neighborhood, regardless of proximity, has it’s local coffee shop that lies far away from the giddy and elated tourists that swarm the center. Walking into many local coffee shops is often a sobering experience. Your local coffee shops can be a bit dry and intimidating. Though lively moments do occur, i.e. watching a big soccer match, the overall vibes are cool and collected. Conversation here is coded, short, direct and explicit. Men dominate the local coffee shops and therefore so does their speech. Cool is a must and the conversation shows it. From girls to sports, to business, to politics, to illicit activity, the local coffee shop is “classic” in its own right. It often reflects the ethnic diversity, or lack thereof, in the area of town it is located. Though sometimes greeted by packs of stone-faced Moroccans, White Dutchmen, or Surinamese, the local coffee shop is generally quite friendly and can give one a true glimpse into the parol of underground Amsterdam..
Tourist coffee shops abound and are rarely frequented by locals. Many of them lie in close proximity to Amsterdam’s Central Station and/or the Red Light District. These coffee shops are full of fun and quite accessible. You might not experience much Dutch culture here, but you will meet people from all around the world. Hoards of young French make the relatively short journey to come and frequent many of these mainstream establishments. The French are just as astonished as the Americans to be in Amsterdam. The conversation tends to fall somewhere in between “where are you from” and “isn’t this cool”. Everyone seems to be going through cultural anomie, desperately trying to embrace something they’re just not quite accustomed to.
My personal favorites are the local/tourist coffee shops. Here one will find a vibrant mix of local Dutch and “you name it”. Also, you will find a more balanced sex ratio here, to say the least. I have had some of my greatest times and met some of the most interesting people in these types of coffee shops. Here conversation ranges from anything to everything. You will hear Dutch, English, French, German, Surinamese Patois, Arabic, Nigerian, and other indecipherable tongues from around the world. English, however, reigns supreme in this arena. Because these types of coffee shops attract people from everywhere, English then becomes the way to equalize an otherwise overwhelming multi-national experience. The pot is also not to be discounted in providing conversational cohesiveness for these multi-ethnic bastions of peace and intrigue. It was in these types of establishments that I tightened up my freestyle, met my first girlfriend in Amsterdam, learned about both Dutch history and Amsterdam’s ethnic make-up. I also learned to speak a little Dutch, and distinguish between different varieties of hash from around the world.
At times I felt I was wasting my time caught up in the never-ending abyss of coffee shop conversation. My guilt at being blindly accepted was overridden by the anecdotal knowledge that I acquired by listening to people who had done things I might never do myself. This is the allure of a vortex that is affirming for all and enriching to most. However, I warn those who spend a few days in Amsterdam and become enamored with the idea of “living in a place like this forever”. The vortex is powerful and even the most erudite and intellectual of ex-pat vagabonds are not beyond its “tractor-beamish” forces. However enlightening the coffee shop experience can be, it comes with a price and is not for the faint of heart. Many once competent vibrant souls now sit in the coffee shops waiting for the next tidbit of worldly information to be downloaded to them. The thrill of the international experience can ironically make one sedentary. Maybe now you will know what to expect and where to go to have your customized coffee shop conversation and experience. Whether your flavor is Local, Tourist, or Local/Tourist, hopefully you now have a bit more insight into what to expect the next time you’re in Amsterdam. Just beware of the verbal vortex. No one is beyond its comforting grip.
http://www.myspace.com/jahbhang
http://www.airtech.com
Wednesday, January 2, 2008, 08:01 AM
[ 0 trackbacks ] | ( 2.5 / 2 )
These are super cheap flights to Belize and Roatan Islands, last minute bookings for flexible folks in Miami and Houston, these prices save you alot.
http://www.airtech.com
1) Houston to Belize $199 either direction incl tax.
2) Houston to Roatan Islands, Honduras $189 either direction incl tax
3) Miami to Roatan Islands, Honduras $189 either direction incl tax
Tickets to and from Belize and Roatan Islands are reserved 24 hours or less before travel.
Prices are valid from 2/2 to 4/30 and prices subject to change without notice.
http://www.airtech.com
http://www.airtech.com
1) Houston to Belize $199 either direction incl tax.
2) Houston to Roatan Islands, Honduras $189 either direction incl tax
3) Miami to Roatan Islands, Honduras $189 either direction incl tax
Tickets to and from Belize and Roatan Islands are reserved 24 hours or less before travel.
Prices are valid from 2/2 to 4/30 and prices subject to change without notice.
http://www.airtech.com
Wednesday, December 26, 2007, 08:29 PM
[ 0 trackbacks ] | ( 4 / 2 )
Fire and Ice! Fly to Mexico, Aruba, DR, Sweden or Hawaii and a word from the desk of
the President....
Hey Techies,
Peace to you and the whole airtech family..the new superblog site is set to launch
in January and It will be a great place to explore all of the alternatives of the
travel world..Travel safe and thank you for choosing www.airtech.com in 2007
below is a round-up of our product line and featuring our newest flight Boston to
Mexico and Caribbean at the 1990's style price of $325 Roundtrip incl tax!
Call to book! 212-219-7000 x 2 or at www.airtech.com
Boston to Aruba, Punta Cana and Cancun $325 Roundtrip 7 nights 8 days, longer stays
possible for a small fee ($25)
Fly from Boston, New York, Baltimore, Orlando or Minneapolis to Europe, $219 One
way incl. tax (after xmas high season) Europe to the USA $185 plus 125 Euros (about
160 dollars) till 3/31
LAX to Paris $325 ends 12/31/07
Flights to and from Hawaii start at $179 each way incl tax. Due to fuel costs prices
will be changing from time to time...
Call to book! 212-219-7000 x 2 or at www.airtech.com
the President....
Hey Techies,
Peace to you and the whole airtech family..the new superblog site is set to launch
in January and It will be a great place to explore all of the alternatives of the
travel world..Travel safe and thank you for choosing www.airtech.com in 2007
below is a round-up of our product line and featuring our newest flight Boston to
Mexico and Caribbean at the 1990's style price of $325 Roundtrip incl tax!
Call to book! 212-219-7000 x 2 or at www.airtech.com
Boston to Aruba, Punta Cana and Cancun $325 Roundtrip 7 nights 8 days, longer stays
possible for a small fee ($25)
Fly from Boston, New York, Baltimore, Orlando or Minneapolis to Europe, $219 One
way incl. tax (after xmas high season) Europe to the USA $185 plus 125 Euros (about
160 dollars) till 3/31
LAX to Paris $325 ends 12/31/07
Flights to and from Hawaii start at $179 each way incl tax. Due to fuel costs prices
will be changing from time to time...
Call to book! 212-219-7000 x 2 or at www.airtech.com
Friday, December 21, 2007, 09:56 PM
[ 0 trackbacks ] | ( 0 / 0 )
Boston to Punta Cana Dominican Republic $325 RT incl
Hey Techers,
It is cold here in the Northeast, my mountain cabin is buried under two feet of snow! So my thoughts turn to warm and sunny places...
We are happy to re-start our mexico/caribbean program with our first flight out of Boston on December 29th for 7 nights to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, this is a great jumping off point to see the whole island and the alternative traveler can find great bargains in hidden seaside towns and mountain villages all over the DR. The price is $325 incl tax and this is NOT on the website, so call me if you want to go at 212-219-7000 x2. There are plenty of seats but final bookings wont occur until a day or so prior to travel, longer stays are possible with a fee of $25 payable in resort. There are will also be flights to Aruba and Cancun all winter and spring, we should get these on to the site soon. If you can beat these prices start your own damn airline!!
Peacehttp://www.airtech.com 212-219-7000 x2 or mike@airtech.com
Peacehttp://www.airtech.com
Hey Techers,
It is cold here in the Northeast, my mountain cabin is buried under two feet of snow! So my thoughts turn to warm and sunny places...
We are happy to re-start our mexico/caribbean program with our first flight out of Boston on December 29th for 7 nights to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, this is a great jumping off point to see the whole island and the alternative traveler can find great bargains in hidden seaside towns and mountain villages all over the DR. The price is $325 incl tax and this is NOT on the website, so call me if you want to go at 212-219-7000 x2. There are plenty of seats but final bookings wont occur until a day or so prior to travel, longer stays are possible with a fee of $25 payable in resort. There are will also be flights to Aruba and Cancun all winter and spring, we should get these on to the site soon. If you can beat these prices start your own damn airline!!
Peacehttp://www.airtech.com 212-219-7000 x2 or mike@airtech.com
Peacehttp://www.airtech.com
Thursday, December 20, 2007, 09:23 AM
[ 0 trackbacks ] | ( 0 / 0 )
Lots of open seats to and from Hawaii!
Hey Techsters,
Here is a list of dates when there are open seats. Take a look if there is a date you want purchase at 212-219-7000 x1 or
http://www.airtech.com these wont last! call or stop by
http://www.airtech.com today! Prices start at $179 incl tax each way, prices go up after 12/14 and then go down again after 1/10/08 to $149 each way incl tax..212-219-7000 x1 call now!
LOS ANGELES:
To Maui: 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/11, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/16, 12/18, 12/24, 12/26,12/27, 12/28, 12/29, 12/30, 12/31, 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4
To HNL: 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12,12/13, 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/28, 12/29, 12/30, 12/31, 1/1, 1/6
From Maui: 12/7, 12/9, 12/10, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/24, 12/25, 12/26, 12/27,12/28, 12/29, 12/30, 1/7
From HNL: 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/11, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/23, 12/24, 12/25, 12/26
http://www.airtech.com
212-219-7000 x1
SAN FRANCISCO:
To Maui: 12/7, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12, 12/14, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/24, 12/25, 12/29, 12/31,
To HNL: 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12, 12/14, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19, 12/28, 12/30, 12/31, 1/1, 1/8
From Maui: 12/7, 12/9, 12/11, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/23, 12/24,
12/25, 12/26, 12/28, 12/29, 12/31 From HNL: 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15, 121/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/24, 12/25, 12/26, 12/29, 12/30
http://www.airtech.com
Hey Techsters,
Here is a list of dates when there are open seats. Take a look if there is a date you want purchase at 212-219-7000 x1 or
http://www.airtech.com these wont last! call or stop by
http://www.airtech.com today! Prices start at $179 incl tax each way, prices go up after 12/14 and then go down again after 1/10/08 to $149 each way incl tax..212-219-7000 x1 call now!
LOS ANGELES:
To Maui: 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/11, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/16, 12/18, 12/24, 12/26,12/27, 12/28, 12/29, 12/30, 12/31, 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4
To HNL: 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12,12/13, 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/28, 12/29, 12/30, 12/31, 1/1, 1/6
From Maui: 12/7, 12/9, 12/10, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/24, 12/25, 12/26, 12/27,12/28, 12/29, 12/30, 1/7
From HNL: 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/11, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/23, 12/24, 12/25, 12/26
http://www.airtech.com
212-219-7000 x1
SAN FRANCISCO:
To Maui: 12/7, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12, 12/14, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/24, 12/25, 12/29, 12/31,
To HNL: 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12, 12/14, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19, 12/28, 12/30, 12/31, 1/1, 1/8
From Maui: 12/7, 12/9, 12/11, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/23, 12/24,
12/25, 12/26, 12/28, 12/29, 12/31 From HNL: 12/7, 12/8, 12/9, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12, 12/13, 12/14, 12/15, 121/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/24, 12/25, 12/26, 12/29, 12/30
http://www.airtech.com
Saturday, December 8, 2007, 03:57 PM
[ 0 trackbacks ] | ( 0 / 0 )
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