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Live from AMSTERDAM - Road to the Cup!

by Nico Escondido

Thu, Jun 12, 2008 8:28 pm

more: grow articles, amsterdam, nico escondido, cannabis cup

Greetings amigos!

Nico here, hitting up the blog spot to give everyone an update on my journey to the other side. So here goes...

AMSTERDAM ROCKS!

As if you all didn't know that, but the truth about what's going on here is some raw behind-the-scenes action of the best breeders Amsterdam has to offer. The doors have been unlocked for your's truly so that I can get the scoop on the up and coming strains and gossip floating around the 'dam.

So far Delta-9 Genetics as well as Mr. Soma himself and the good fellas from THSeeds have been the most gracious of hosts. The D-9 boys are doing their thing with the straight up (and I mean way up) Sativas and Soma has his hand in a little bit of everything.

Part One of the series, scheduled to publish in the October issue of High Times, will reveal Soma's 2008 entries into both the Indica and Sativa categoreis of the Breeders' Cup as well as the latest and greatest Haze hybrids from the Delta-9 Labs. The following features will include other heavy hitters such as Barney's Farm, DNA and the Greenhouse - so stay turned on!

To make this more fun for everyone without me having to divulge all the goodies I'm diggin up I propose an interactive blog. So here's the deal - you hit me up with any questions you may have pertaining to my two week sojourn and I'll pick the best Q's and answer 'em right here on the High Times blog every couple of days.

Send yer Q's to nico@hightimes.com and I'll pick those questions that best match this trips mission: To FInd Out What's New In Old Amsterdam & What's In Store For Us At The '08 Cannibus Cup This Novemeber.

Be well & grow well,

Nico Escondido

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Neg

Nov 9 2008, 12:59 pm

I used to be a regular in Amsterdam tryin to find any excuse to go over.I have`nt been over for two and a half years due to incaceration! ! ! ! cant wait to go to my spiritual home again ha ha.
I found most of the coffee shops I visited friendly Barney`s,the greenhouse,an especially warm welcome in Popeye`s opposite what now Dampkring almost opposite Barney`s corner shop.
The Bush doctor,Cafe Ness,Grey area the list goes on.
Everyone`s opinion is different if you see a coffee shop try it if you like it tell others if not dont go again,
Thank you for your time,
Neil D

grow-burgh

Oct 17 2008, 8:10 pm

this is my first cup. i going for the full5days. i got flights,digs & know the city well but i can't get many good information on the cups timetable/plan/partys/gigs?
is the whole week/awards at powerzone(show/event) & herb entrys from given coffee shops locations?
whats the cup plans? whats the entrys?
how can i get a judges pass for $175?
the cup website is shocking, all info is piss' who knows a good detiled website!

their's too a fluffy cup! sweet as co-che's!

Wildcat

Sep 26 2008, 1:25 pm

Don't worry about the smoking bans! All the shops the locals smoke at have built smoking rooms. My personal favorite is Atlantis coffee shop. Its on a small side street and 75% of the shop is within the smoking room! Its even got arcade games, pool and foose ball tables within the smoking room. Their smoke is fantastic, try the bubble gum. Plus you can't go wrong with non stop roots reggae!

Daniel Stalpertstraat 78
1072 Amsterdam
The Netherlands

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Dani%EBl%20Stalpertstraat+78+Amsterdam+nl

kEVIN

Sep 21 2008, 12:40 am

Looking for best hotel near the bud action and which coffee shops should I look for?? thanks.

viper

Jul 4 2008, 10:03 am

Well I was there, where where you ?

Amsterdam June 27th - July 2nd 2008 'The Last Big Smoke'

The Smoking Laws kicked into effect 12:00pm/am midnight June 30th-1st of July.

The entire country is smoke free.

Coffee Shops will allow the smoking of pure marijuana joints or hash in pipes but tobacco in all forms is finished, blunts too.

Some shops have seperate rooms or screened off parts that are smoking rooms. Some do not. They were all waiting to hear of the first bust details so that they could decide if small shops without smoking rooms could allow smoking of 'pure' in front of counter staff.

As I left no news of any busts had occured.

Tuesday July 1st and coffee shops were empty, it was like a ghost town.

Smoking marijuana or hash on the street is illegal and if your busted doing it near a coffee shop they'll get busted too, and closed for ever.

If caught smoking tobacco in a joint in a coffee shop by an Inspector, the shop gets busted 300E per customer first offence. Subsequent offences carry a 600, 1200, 2400, 4800 .............. for each and every person smoking tobacco in the shop.

Coffee Shop Culture as I've known it since 1990 is over, gone, finished, and part of history.

Cherish your memorys.

A full detailed write up with pictures will shortly appear on www.viperslair.co.uk

2008 CUP ATTENDEE

Jul 3 2008, 1:36 am

Dear Nico.
Im cruzin out the 2008 High Times Cup for the first time this year, im looking for people who are traveling out as well cuz my travel partner just bailed out on me due to financial constraints, im not opposed to rolling out solo but I would definantly be obliged to meet a few peeps to hook up with when im out there or before.
Keep up the good work bro! see you there
Joel, Escondido California. Jslaven@hotmail.com

rookie

Jun 22 2008, 3:55 pm

we are buying passes next week once we get paid! we can't wait. word is you can't go wrong at Barney's or Betty Boop. also, heard that Rookery and Green House represent.

WORD TO THE WISE: buy your passes now for 175$. 250 Euro at the door translates to 350$ when you do the currency conversion!

rose

Jun 22 2008, 12:16 pm

I spent 4 1/2 months in amsterdam last summer. The best shop for friendlyness i found is the Speak easy few doors down from the grass hoper. White widow is the #1 seller there, but the employess are the most friendly i found so i hung out there everyday for a smoke then explore the city. I went to a few shops that weren't so friendly like barnies small shop. Very rude workers there. Can't remember the names of the others i went to i didn't like. One made you go through a metal detector and did not encourage hanger arounders. Never went back there.

SmokinhazeCUP06

Jun 22 2008, 1:31 am

All the coffee shops are American friendly!!..Was there for 7days!!!...I Say if the Coffee shop is not in the top 25 list dont go to it! Those are the shops that sell that buggy dirt weed and shit that isnt cured properly.i kno becuase i bought some good lookin mids it was like 4.5g/15euros now thats Cheap!!!!! barneys,greenhouse,amnesia,ness, gray area...those are my favorite shops out there...If you want a head trauma dazed high which i love....u gotta try super silver haze from NESS....Greenhouse has a strain of it...but it sucks...not as goos as from NESS...CUP 08 I AMMMM FUCKIN THERE!!!!!!!!! and this time i will bring 4 boxes of 50 phillies!!!! instead of 1 like last time and it was done on the 2nd day!

dsluz

Jun 19 2008, 4:42 pm

I'm thinking about a trip to Amsterdam for the cup this year. Can you let me know what coffee houses are the most friendly to Americans? Are there any bonehead things that I shouldn't do?

Sharon A

Jun 16 2008, 10:16 pm

What's your pick...bowl, joint, vaporizor, bong, other?

Jason A

Jun 16 2008, 10:13 pm

When you are enjoying all the different buds the Cup has to offer for a few hours, how can you tell the difference between them all?

altmino

Jun 16 2008, 10:07 pm

How many days is good for a vacation to Amsterdam if vacation time is somewhat limited? Is the Cup the best time to visit or is there a better time of year to go? Love the blog, keep it up! Wish I was there...

altmino

Jun 16 2008, 10:05 pm

how many days should I set aside for a good trip to Amsterdam is vacation time is somewhat limited? Is the Cup the best time to visit or a different time of year better? Love the blog, keep it up!

cupper

Jun 15 2008, 9:58 pm

how do i get tickets to the cannabis cup? are flights included?

Richard

Jun 14 2008, 12:23 am

How will the smoking ban affect the Expo and the Melkweg ?

FreeinSD

Jun 13 2008, 7:12 pm

This is getting me hyped up for my own Amsterdam trip, I'm leaving in a few days :). I do have a question, however, since you are there. I've heard rampant rumors that the many of the Dutch coffee shops sell product that has not been cured, or worse, scraped multiple times and they will often try to pass off the same strain of bud as different varieties at different prices. I guess what I'm asking is if there are any truths to these rumors, and if you have any recommendations of good coffee shops to avoid any mishaps such as those that could otherwise ruin my good trip. Also how are the prices over there?

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