My 20th Anniversary Cannabis Cup Story #1

Neal, Sol and I spent five days in the Netherlands during the 20th Cannabis Cup hosted by HIGH TIMES. This is some of our story...

Neal and I flew together and arrived in Amsterdam pretty early in the morning on Sunday. By the time we caught the train into the city and located our hotel by foot, it was already 11am but still too early to check in. Our patron held our bags while we looked for a way to kill three hours then get some rest and clean up. Those three hours turned into nearly six as we wound our way along the canals and alleys, everything looking familiar but never panning out. My nerves were pretty frayed and we were worried about hooking up with Sol who flew in on a different flight. I looked at Neal and said: 'That Marlboro sign looks familiar ...' and there we were.

We asked for our key but 'our friend' had it and had let himself into our room, which was the size of a matchbox. We upgraded our room and I'm not real sure how we spent that first night. I do know that the first strain of cannabis I bought has remained a favorite: Jack Herer. Good medicine that let me sleep until nearly dawn. I always wake up before the sun these days but rarely sleep as soundly as I did that first night.

The next day we registered at the Powerzone and got our official judges' passes. I wasn't too upset that we'd missed the opening ceremonies the day before but we were running behind schedule and grateful to see that the HIGH TIMES crew was too. But this is all that was happening, what we were doing. What's even more important is what I was feeling.

From the very moment we walked out of Central Station and meandered through the city center, I felt safe. Even lost and wandering, I was comfortable and relaxed. It seemed like everyone was in a rush like they were late and a bicyclist called me a dolt for walking in the traffic lane. It just looked like one big sidewalk to me and I soon learned to dodge bikes and motorcycles that obviously have the right-of-way at any given moment. I never got hit or screamed at and I didn't fall in a canal. I'd call that a success.

This whole adventure was huge for me. After seven years of self-imposed house arrest disguised as agoraphobia, I was out and about in a part of the world I didn't know and loving every minute. Somehow, at some point, the spell was broken. Since then, I've been able to reclaim a part of my life that had been taken from me by the violence I've witnessed. Once more, I can find interest and joy in doing the things I used to love – evidenced by one apple and two pumpkin pies I baked last week; and by two trips to the grocery store; and by an itch for it to stop raining so I can go on walks to the beach and the marina.

Even in Amsterdam I sensed the change in me. When I spotted Fantuzzi strolling past me, I approached him and introduced myself. I told him that I'd been in contact with Luc Sala who invited me to his place for good music and fun times... but that I'd been too shy to make the phone call. We talked about the movement and its roots in 1971, what a great year that was and all that had happened during that time. I learned more about Fantuzzi and grew very fond of him rather quickly. We also share an affinity for Honey Hemp Liqueur, which was my favorite new product for 2007.

Another bold move on my part was when I walked up to Jack Herer and introduced myself. He wondered what I wanted from him and I told him my only purpose was to keep a promise I made to a friend that, should I see him at the Cannabis Cup, I wouldn't be too shy to say hi. He must have thought I was cracked but he gave me a big kiss on the cheek and thanked me and I thanked him for his hard work and sacrifices to free the weed. I'll never forget that moment.

My favorite place to sit at the expo was on the bench in front of the stage right next to the big speaker. That is where I met Hector from Southern Cali and found common ground with someone I'd never trust on the outside world. But there is a unity among pot worshippers and the connection is undeniable. This truly is a sacred herb if it can erase differences and bring people together in peace and love. Hector told me his story and I told him mine. Details don't matter because we were both coming from the same place in spirit. When I think I have hurdles to jump I'll always remember Hector and how he chose life over Meth.

It was about that time that I was sparking up some Jack Herer topped with Triple X hash in my 5 Euro pipe when my peripheral vision caught a video-journalist filming me up close and personal. I gave his a sly wink and a smile and finished my toke for his clip. He clasped my hand and asked me, in an Irish (?) accent: 'Do you mind?' and I replied: 'Of course not.' We held hands and swayed to the music for a bit before giving up the moment. It was magical.

Tuesday morning we discovered that Sol had lost his Judge's pass and thanks to the computer age, it was replaceable. We collected our gift bags from Barney's and introduced ourselves to G13 Haze, which eventually won as the top weed in the competition. Then we crawled to Greenhouse Coffeeshop and met with Arjan's Super Silver Haze, my overall favorite. I was especially impressed when Arjan himself came to our table and talked with us about the whole experience. He asked us if anyone was putting pressure on us for our votes and we assured him it wasn't so. But I did mention that I thought Barney's gift bags for the judges were a bit over the top.

After the expo closed, we made our way to the Melkweg where we enjoyed more music from The Homegrown Band and our first live exposure to moe.. I ran into my myspace friend, Megan, and her husband Tommy. The odds of us running into each other were pretty good but I only saw her once after that at the expo. We tended to run out of steam pretty early in the night and missed most of the parties and concerts. I know what to expect next time and will take a few extra days to build up my lungs and straighten out my jetlag.

Wednesday was the most fun, overall, with a grow seminar by Jorge Cervantes and a short appearance by Redman. While we were waiting for the “cannabus" to take us out to the Powerzone, we saw Arjan on his motorcycle talking with some judges. Again, he made the effort to come over and talk with us and showered us with more samples of his entries to help us make up our torn minds. While Barney's G13 Haze was very powerful medicine for me, I didn't think it was for everyone. Arjan's Super Silver Haze became my staple for the remainder of my time in Amsterdam and got my vote in the end.

Thursday was also great and I really enjoyed Bobby Black's interview with Olga from Soma Seeds, the spiritual coffeeshop. I wish I'd met her but maybe next time. Later that night I traveled by myself, in the dark, back to the Powerzone for more music and the awards show. By this time my energy level was so low and I was so over-medicated that I left an hour too soon and missed seeing Tommy Chong again. Oh, well.

Friday morning we packed and dashed for the slow bus to Paris which we missed giving us plenty of time to make it to a few more coffeeshops. We caught the fast train that evening and left Amsterdam behind in the dark.

While my chronology is messed up I've enjoyed sharing my adventure online and look forward to many, many adventures in the future. Now that I've tasted true freedom, I find it hard to swallow the oppression I've lived with and adapted to over time. The Dutch practice a form of tolerance that doesn't pass judgment and allows folks to follow their own paths. There are so many creative and interesting people in Holland and there seems to be room at the table for just about everyone.

-Judy from Bellinghamsterdam