Certain parts of the world are associated with present or historical use of one or more psychoactive drugs. Over the 12+ years I spent writing The Drug Users Bible I sought them out, eventually visiting 33 countries, and taking thousands of drug related photographs.
I have recently started to organize these properly, and following suggestions on this platform I will be posting a selection of them here. This post presents some of those I took on my visits to Amsterdam.
Please note that, when visiting any territory, should you choose to use any psychoactive substance it is vital that you conduct your own research with respect to legality and law enforcement. Don’t get banged up abroad. For the attention of law enforcement: none of this post constitutes a confession that I broke the law in any place or at any time.
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Whilst writing the book I visited Amsterdam several times per year. I took so many photographs during this period that it was a real challenge to choose just a few that are in some way representative in terms of my own interest (which is drugs). This was so difficult that I may in fact post a second batch at some point in the future.
Let’s get on with it….
As found outside the Hash Museum (Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148).
On the way out of the Hash Museum a complimentary toke on a vape is on offer, or at least it used to be.
Street signage can be an art form. This particular photograph was banned by Facebook when I first posted it there.
At first glance I assumed this was telling me that drinking alcohol was forbidden, but that it was okay to smoke weed.
The Smoke Boat offers canal tours specifically for tokers.
Whilst The Bulldog doesn’t have the best reputation, it is certainly one of the most colourful. I have in fact uploaded dozens of photos of coffeeshop exteriors to a Flickr album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/157786281@N07/albums/72157698919040634/
Small postage stamp views of some of them.
This is a not an untypical menu from that era. If you wish to see a selection of menus, I have uploaded some to another Flickr album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/157786281@N07/albums/72157709482407397/
Oh yes, and there’s magic truffles. Be careful not to overdo them in the busy city centre (see the book for my disaster-class).
Never be surprised to be surprised about what might lie round the corner. Yes, I’m embarrassed to say that I snorted this chocolate too. Again, see the book itself regarding the outcome.
If people-watching with a pint is your thing, you are not going to be disappointed.
Yes, it’s a beautiful city, even with the relatively recent signage additions.
I have been known to use these, which are dotted across the city centre.
This is a sensory deprivation tank, which I used in search of a drug-free hallucination or psychedelic-like experience (some people do this and claim success).
I spent many hours gazing into smart shop windows, which offered a substantial array of goodies, particularly botanical goodies. Some were very long established and looked the part, none more so than this one, round the corner from Dam Square (Kloveniersburgwal 39).
I know you want to see an example of what is on offer in these establishments. I can count about 20-odd psychoactives on display on these shelves, all of which were legally for sale when I took the photograph. Also visible are a variety of other interesting items, including testing kits and a trip killer.
However, you will also see plenty of tourist shops offering everything from cannabis lollipops to space cakes. Ignore them: everything here is fake, with no THC.
You want seeds? There is no shortage of seed banks.
Imagine moving Salvador Dali art completely filling the walls with Pink Floyd as the audio accompaniment: it’s almost a trip without a drug. Now imagine this with some truffle. [Fabrique des Lumières, Pazzanistraat 37]
Finally, many people recommend a walk to Vondelpark to escape the madness (perhaps whilst on a truffle trip), but a free boat ride across the water to NDSM can also provide a pleasant sojourn.
LAST & ABSOLUTELY NOT LEAST: STAY SAFE
Whatever the circumstances of your own travel do not suspend judgement, safety or the use of a harm reduction process. Please refer to The Drug Users Bible for further information. You can download a free copy of the PDF version from any of the cloud networks links provided on the following page: https://bbgate.com/resources/the-drug-users-bible.3477/
I have recently started to organize these properly, and following suggestions on this platform I will be posting a selection of them here. This post presents some of those I took on my visits to Amsterdam.
Please note that, when visiting any territory, should you choose to use any psychoactive substance it is vital that you conduct your own research with respect to legality and law enforcement. Don’t get banged up abroad. For the attention of law enforcement: none of this post constitutes a confession that I broke the law in any place or at any time.
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Whilst writing the book I visited Amsterdam several times per year. I took so many photographs during this period that it was a real challenge to choose just a few that are in some way representative in terms of my own interest (which is drugs). This was so difficult that I may in fact post a second batch at some point in the future.
Let’s get on with it….
As found outside the Hash Museum (Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148).
On the way out of the Hash Museum a complimentary toke on a vape is on offer, or at least it used to be.
Street signage can be an art form. This particular photograph was banned by Facebook when I first posted it there.
At first glance I assumed this was telling me that drinking alcohol was forbidden, but that it was okay to smoke weed.
The Smoke Boat offers canal tours specifically for tokers.
Whilst The Bulldog doesn’t have the best reputation, it is certainly one of the most colourful. I have in fact uploaded dozens of photos of coffeeshop exteriors to a Flickr album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/157786281@N07/albums/72157698919040634/
Small postage stamp views of some of them.
This is a not an untypical menu from that era. If you wish to see a selection of menus, I have uploaded some to another Flickr album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/157786281@N07/albums/72157709482407397/
Oh yes, and there’s magic truffles. Be careful not to overdo them in the busy city centre (see the book for my disaster-class).
Never be surprised to be surprised about what might lie round the corner. Yes, I’m embarrassed to say that I snorted this chocolate too. Again, see the book itself regarding the outcome.
If people-watching with a pint is your thing, you are not going to be disappointed.
Yes, it’s a beautiful city, even with the relatively recent signage additions.
I have been known to use these, which are dotted across the city centre.
This is a sensory deprivation tank, which I used in search of a drug-free hallucination or psychedelic-like experience (some people do this and claim success).
I spent many hours gazing into smart shop windows, which offered a substantial array of goodies, particularly botanical goodies. Some were very long established and looked the part, none more so than this one, round the corner from Dam Square (Kloveniersburgwal 39).
I know you want to see an example of what is on offer in these establishments. I can count about 20-odd psychoactives on display on these shelves, all of which were legally for sale when I took the photograph. Also visible are a variety of other interesting items, including testing kits and a trip killer.
However, you will also see plenty of tourist shops offering everything from cannabis lollipops to space cakes. Ignore them: everything here is fake, with no THC.
You want seeds? There is no shortage of seed banks.
Imagine moving Salvador Dali art completely filling the walls with Pink Floyd as the audio accompaniment: it’s almost a trip without a drug. Now imagine this with some truffle. [Fabrique des Lumières, Pazzanistraat 37]
Finally, many people recommend a walk to Vondelpark to escape the madness (perhaps whilst on a truffle trip), but a free boat ride across the water to NDSM can also provide a pleasant sojourn.
LAST & ABSOLUTELY NOT LEAST: STAY SAFE
Whatever the circumstances of your own travel do not suspend judgement, safety or the use of a harm reduction process. Please refer to The Drug Users Bible for further information. You can download a free copy of the PDF version from any of the cloud networks links provided on the following page: https://bbgate.com/resources/the-drug-users-bible.3477/
