The weather in Amsterdam yesterday reminded me of one important thing: Never leave the house without an umbrella. Even if the day is sunny and beautiful, the weather can change in a heartbeat.

Sometimes it's nice to think of using the umbrella as an act of defiance. The rain pounds down around you; the wind whips moisture into your shoes and soaks your jeans, but your head stays deliciously dry. Take that, rain!

Better to buy one at Hema than to wait until the super-expensive ones go on sale on the street in a time of great need. And enjoy the satisfaction of being prepared for anything.

I got to take a trip to the northern netherlands and experience a much smaller, dutch, college community. The city of Groningen is kind of like most college communities back in the states. It has a strip of bars on a specific street and all the college students come out at about midnight and stay out until early morning. You can't really go out anytime before then because, well, everything is pretty calm still and the party hasn't started. Apparently, Groningen houses what in the states would be considered, "frat boys," which is interesting, I guess.

The coolest activity that I was able to do there was walk through the Groninger Museum. The building itself is pretty amazing. They had contemporary exhibits as well as older paintings. They have really cultured a fine place for art admirers. I found that walking through the museum by myself allowed me to be contemplative and gave me some time away from my very close group of freinds that I travelled with.

One major difference I have noticed between the U.S. and the Netherlands is in the snacks supplied in gas stations. Of course, both countries have their share of junk: chips, candy and soda abound. But where the Dutch version thrives is in its delicious-looking deli-made sandwiches, its fresh juices, and its unsalted nuts. The U.S. version fails to meet such a healthy standard, instead supplied pre-processed, sugar or salt-laden versions of similar products.

Where the gas station used to be an opportunity to indulge one’s most unhealthy food fantasies, now it can even present an opportunity for health. What a treat.

FILM
Amsterdam Film Experience brings 55 visions from all corners of the world together for one weekend at the Ketelhuis. Artists with different backgrounds (visual, theatre, performance and music) have made short films to tell their stories. Screenings, improvisation and after parties will complete the weekend.
Ketelhuis Westergasfabriekterrein - Haarlemmerweg 8-10
Tickets Het Ketelhuis: +31 (0)20 6840090
October 6-8. 10 Euro day pass, 25 Euro weekend passepartout (20% discount for students)

Today sees the premiere of the documentary Kroonjuwelen, which tells the story of the graffiti scene in Amsterdam. It shows the crews that inspired the whole country. It shows the ups and downs of the scene. From punk to hip hop, from illegal work to spraying a metro with the city council's permission.
Paradiso - Weteringschans 6-8
Phone: +31 (0)20 6264521
9pm. 7,50 Euro

MUSIC
An eclectic mix of warm, cosy jazz and the drive and energy of modern-day dance music, that’s what you can expect at the Wicked Jazz Sound nights. Take a futuristic journey through jazz, hip hop, soul, funk, broken-beat, house, drum & bass and far beyond. Tonight’s live music is provided by Illicit, a Utrecht-based hip hop formation. Their soulful tunes and raw beats already shook many venues and festivals, including North Sea Jazz & Brussels Jazzmarathon.
Sugar Factory - Lijnbaansgracht 238
9pm-11pm. 8,50 Euro

EXHIBITION
Something fake opens tonight at Platform 21. Although you’ll get to see products, photos, flowers, food and people that look like other products, photos, flowers, food and people, there’s no guarantee that what you see is actually real. It is only a reality check, it's ‘Something fake.’ The exhibition’s opening night sees a discussion with high-end designers, trend watchers and media experts including socially-conscious designer Bea Correa, trend forecaster Annemarie Commandeur, and designer Björn Franke.
Platform 21 - Prinses Irenestraat 19
Until October 27, Thurs-Sun 12pm-6pm (opening night: 8pm). Free (opening night 8 Euro)

Who would have thought that a pinch of saurkraut could taste so good? Stuffed in a pita overloaded with falafel and all sorts of other savory bits: tomato, onion, hummus, that eggplant stuff (baba ganoush?), and of course the single dark olive that somehow magically did not come from a can - this is Bagel Nash, whose slogan might be 'falafel as big as your head' were it located in the heart of Chicago.

But this is not Chicago, it is Amsterdam, and so the slogan is different. In fact, there is no slogan at all, because it is a modest family owned spot in A'dam's Oud Zuid just off the Olympiaplein stop (that's tram 24 or an awesome bicycle ride through Vondelpark coming from the center).

And to those who say, 'But that is far away?!', I neigh say you with the following falsifiable facts:

1. You should be using a bicycle anyway (unless it totally sucks outside like it does today).

2. You should cycle through the Vondel park anyway (unless it totally sucks outside like it does today) if only to pay witness to the Ent that lives there of whom I might tell more in the future).

3. The first main exit out of the park after the Ent takes you south; which leads you to the following potentially novel experiences:

A. The two mysterious stairways that lead to the dungeon underneath Emmapark. How do I know a dungeon is under there you ask? Where else are the adventurers going to congregate when they get to the heart of the villain's empire?

B. The bicycle path that goes, quite literally, through a school. If you had time to go to Kitsch Kitchen and buy a pack of fake moustaches (about the only thing in the store even remotely close to not being overpriced) you can wear one to entertain the kids milling about outside - "Kijk, het snor!!!" one of them will shout.

C. Past Dutch people playing soccer and on to a skate park. No half-pipe (that's on the Mueseumplein yo) but all sorts of dips and ramps and bar things for skaters to go nuts, and they do.

D. And across the street...falafels as big as your head! (or all sorts of tasty and overloaded broodjes on bagel or pita)...Bagel Nash! What is this? Only 4,50 euro for this insanity of a treat? My god!

E. If it's a nice day you can take your giant falafels and cycle the three extra minutes to the Beatrixpark. Rather more scenic, quiet, and quaint than the bustling Vondel, one can picnic on the lawn along the canal; watch dutch people boat by in a practiced rhythm, and wonder who lives in that house guarded by the police observation post anyway?

Oh, and if it's Saturday, don't bother. For Saturday is the sabbath for some folk, and on this sabbath Bagel Nash is closed.

A friend of mine told me about a place she's renting with 3 friends for 40 Euros a night each. They are getting a fully furnished apartment with private kitchen, but they also have private rooms at the main location with a toilet/shower from 20 Euros per night. Might be a nice alternative from a hostel or budget hotel. Amsterdam Cribs is smokers' friendly and located downtown near Dam Square.

It was my birthday a few weeks back and because turning 21 in Amsterdam is not like turning 21 in the states I opted for a more laid back evening. Right down the street from my residence is a little movie theater cleverly called, The Movies. They have a whole bunch of films playing there and are currently showcasing Woody Allen films. My friends and I decided to see the movie Brick.

It is an adorable theater inside. There is a bar right as you enter so you can get a drink and relax before the show. The Woody Allen series is in a much bigger theater and the smaller theaters are saved for the other movies they play. You definately do not need a jacket or sweater in these theaters, they are very very warm. There is no air conditioning issues in Amsterdam, that is what I have decided. The movie was 8 euros, which is a little expensive but if it is the only thing you decide to do for the night, then it is much cheaper than going out to the bars.

For a quiet lunch, a lively dinner, or a large, loud drinking party, Kapitein Zeppos has it all. Hard to find but well worth the discovery, this intimate-yet-huge restaurant is nestled close to the campus of the University of Amsterdam. The sandwiches are delicious, the staff friendly, and it’s even possible to seat large groups of people for special occasions.

Visit quickly before winter sweeps in and renders the beautiful outdoor seating area useless.

Mark your calendars; the 2006 ING Amsterdam Marathon is almost here. This Sunday, October 15, thousands of runners will take on a huge challenge. The route meanders through Amsterdam's city center, and is a great spectator sport as well as an athletic challenge for those participating.

Runners can choose to run the full marathon, a half marathon, or a 10 kilometer run. There's even a 2.5 kilometer youth run. Yours truly will be attempting the half marathon, for the first time.

It is even possible to register up to the day of the race. So if you're up to it, move quickly! More information can be found here.

Although walking through the Red Light District is not a common weekend activity, after years living in this city I still have toured through it many times, often with tourist friends. The women-for-hire strike a pose and maintain eye contact in order to lure potential customers; men nervously scout their prospects and become bolder with increased alcohol consumption. As the night wears on, the level of testosterone increases to the point where some streets – and bars – feel almost unbearable to enter.

Every time I’m in this strange district, I find myself searching the faces of these women who, voluntarily or not, have opted to make their living selling their bodies. Are they empowered with their legal status, or they are exploited because despite the policy, many are still forced into this line of work?

Visit, and ponder. But don’t take photographs, or you will learn a harsh lesson in privacy.

Drum and Bass is something that I was not all too familiar with in the states but I have become quite fond of it during my stay here in Amsterdam. My friend tells me that Drum and Bass is biggest in London and much better there, but that Amsterdam's scene is pretty awesome as well.

I went to Cheeky Mondays yesterday night and had an amazing time. I am pretty sure it was a bunch of international people and a few Dutch people. The music was pretty awesome and the dance floor, lights and stage were a lot of fun. You have to be willing to try out some new dance moves, though, expecially if you are used to the regular, "bumpin' and grindin.'" It's much more bohemian and free spirited in the club and no one really cares if you can't actually dance but are simply moving to the music instead. I personally like dancing to regular pop music better, but this was definately a nice escape from any other night at a bar dancing. You can smoke weed inside the club and a good amount of people do. The beer is around 2 euros, but cover is 6 euros.

Monday nights in Amsterdam can be pretty lame, but if you go to Cheeky Mondays the scene is hopping and the party doesn't stop until the early am. Be wary, though, of walking home. Two of my friends and I walked back home together and at that time of night cat calls are, very unfortunately, to be expected.

In Amsterdam, just like in any major city, you need to know where to look if you want to have a scrumptious meal. Being well-educated or not can mean the difference between culinary heaven and hell. You’ve been warned; now choose wisely.

A great place to start your search for digestive bliss is the internet. Have a look at SpecialBite, a funky site with hip reviews for restaurants all over the Netherlands, of course including Amsterdam. They’ve got unique recommendations for breakfast, for smoke-free eating experiences, and even for restaurants that you can stay over in (well, close to, anyway).

Happy surfing and eet smakelijk, as the Dutch would say.

MUSIC
The Rapture (New York) - Pieces Of The People We Love.
Melkweg - Lijnbaansgracht 234a
Tickets: +31 (0)20 5318181
October 18. 15 Euro

THEATRE
Hustlin’ Shakespeare, a new play by Theaterworks Amsterdam, leaves your favorite Shakespeare characters looking for love in all the wrong places. Classical texts mixed with contemporary music and dance in non-traditional surroundings.
Nachttheater Sugar Factory - Lijnbaansgracht 238
Until October 15. 12,50 Euro

FILM
Rocketcinema Film Festival featuring djs and musicians with new soundtracks to classic movies.
October 18-22 @ different venues including Paradiso, Rialto and Sugar Factory
10-15 Euro

Culture shock comes in all shapes and sizes, but one aspect that I have remained conscious of in the Netherlands is the Dutch concept of personal space. As a general rule, in Minnesota people stay far away from each other. This can be attributed to the fact that everything is large and very spread out, so mindful distance keeping is possible. If a collision – or even a close call – does occur, it is usually met with a gasp and an “I’m so sorry!” or “Please excuse me!”

But in Dutch society, where millions of people are crammed together into buses, supermarkets and streets, such formalities do not exist. Honestly, it wouldn’t make sense, and wouldn’t be the least bit practical, given the frequency of bodily contact with strangers. Still, it’s a bit of a shock to smash together with an unfamiliar person, gasp an apology, and have them either ignore you completely or look mystified at your reaction.

Now, when I find myself back in Minnesota, I’m the one wrinkling my brow at someone’s exaggerated apology. Who cares? Let’s just move on. No extra communication necessary.

It’s Friday the 13th – the perfect night to melt your fears away with some comedy. Why not head to CREA, located at Turfdraagsterpad 17 (right next to the UvA buildings, in case you haven’t already been there a thousand times). You can enjoy Easylaughs, a improv comedy group that performs there every Friday evening at 20:30 and at 22:30.

Just remember to ride your bike carefully on the way home...

I reverted back to a childlike state and accompanied my friends to the NEMO, which is like a hands-on science and technology place for kids to come and learn. Everything is in Dutch and English. It's 4 floors and each floor has its own set of fun things to do and, of course, to learn.

The most fun that I had was watching their 3D video of what I believe where white blood cells fighting off a virus. The video was all in Dutch, so I am not quite sure if I actually caught everything that was going on. Regardless, it was fun to see a 3D film.

On the third floor they had a whole section dedicated to sex. Mind you, this place is best for ages 12 to 18. In the states this kind of exhibit would not have even crossed the minds of science museum owners. Yet, there it was in pink and red and all its glory for everyone to go and see. I walked through with kids that only came up to my waist and saw the same things they did. They had an interactive Human Body that you could touch and find errogenous zones on, a bunch of little dolls showing different sex positions, a lay out of toys and protection and endless info on orgasm and sexual response. My friends and I are still stunned that this particular exhibit was meant for kids much younger than us.

On the very top of NEMO there is a cafe and a way to access the outside of the building where you can see the city from above. This is the point and time when I realized that I was definately not in the states anymore. No cityscape is really accessible from high up because the buildings are not tall enough. It was still a pretty view, nonetheless. You can get the same view by not going into the Nemo and simply by walking up the outside ramp they provide, as well.

If you are going to be in Amsterdam between, say, now and October, 2007, and you have time enough to take the train to some of the spots outside the Netherland's most famous metropole, the 'Eten' exhibit at the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde in Leiden might be worth your time. For this year, and this year only, this ethnographic museum is putting on display an essential, but often overlooked, aspect of culture, namely what various peoples of our illustrious planet consider 'good to eat'.

Designed to resemble a warehouse, the main part of the exhibit displays all sorts of food and food preparation items collected over the past 200 years from all regions of the Earth - shark fins, roasted crickets, and jars upon jars of sea cucumbers, nuts, insects, and various fishy bits. In addition to this 'usual fare' there are a number of interactive displays: a computer terminal which accesses a database of all the last meals served to death row inmates in the United States since the reinstation of the death penalty there some 30 years ago; a table in the middle of the exhibit where one lucky couple a day may order lunch and have their dining experience projected onto the wall for all to see; and an outdoor tent where one can participate in various food preparation workshops including, but not limited to, the art of sushi.

Finally, and I have saved the best course for last, at the end of the exhibit be sure to browse the shop where one can buy all sorts of goodies ranging from cookbooks, exotic kitchen wares, olive oils, sauces, roasted crickets, chocolate covered ants, and, my favorite, suckers with your choice of scorpion, cricket, or worm suspended in fruit flavored goodness. Don't worry. They're sugar free!

If it’s time to add a cultural experience to your life, be sure to visit the Picasso exhibition at the Cobra Museum in Amstelveen. The exhibition is called “Picasso: Master of Line” and it runs from October 7, 2006 until February 4, 2007. It explores the topics of art and love and demonstrates Picasso’s inward musings surrounding his affair with Marie-Thérèse Walter, a 17-year-old.

Raise your eyebrows and hop on Tram #5. This exhibition is sure to enthrall.

While shopping for a blender last weekend at a big-name appliance store, here’s what I discovered on display between baby wear and hair dryers. My Midwestern shock wore off as I realized I was witnessing a perfect example of the relaxed Dutch attitude towards sexual matters.

Looking for a dryer? A waffle iron? A dildo? All under one roof, ladies and gentlemen.

If you get out of the center of town and all its amusements, one thing you'll notice is the passion Amsterdammers have for gardening. This year, the street I live on won the award for best garden street in our neighborhood. Now I'm not talking about the garden in the yard, though Im sure those are nice. But what you can often find are entire streets where people build gardens in front of their homes.. often growing right up the side of the building. Sometimes that whole feeling of being in a city melts away and all you smell is that green smell and you see the rag-tag collection of vines, flowers, and shrubs people have managed to plant in front of their apartments.
As a British gentleman told me, while randomly explaining how he started his garden in the Pijp,

"You must simply put out a few containers in front of your house and start growing things. Before you know it, you've got something beautiful and the whole neighborhood will join in."

If your Dutch learning isn’t going as smoothly as you’d hoped (you know, everyone speaks English) and you’re feeling isolated from local news events or other happenings (who the heck is Verdonk, anyway?), it’s nice to know where to get some of that information in English, if that is your native tongue.

Expatica to the rescue: they provide some Dutch news in English. Although the translations aren’t always fabulous, you can get the gist of what is happening in NL, even when surrounded by an international community.

Occasionally in this city you will run into one of these blue walkers. Usually being pushed around by someone with hair of similar color. I'm not sure how it came to be that the elderly all started pushing these around, but in my imagination I picture a retirement party, a cake, some balloons, and a government representative stopping by to deliver your very own walker-on-wheels. Make sure you lock it up!

DANCE
3 nights, 30 clubs, 300 dj's/artists: Amsterdam Dance Event. Check out the website for a program of the world's biggest club festival.
October 19-21 @ almost every club in the city
Cost varies per venue.

EXHIBITION
My Streets My City lets 20 graffiti and street artists give their view on the city they live in. You're able to find the work of the participating French, Dutch and Belgian artists in the streets of those same cities.
Chiellerie - Raamgracht 58
Until November 2. Free of charge.

Don’t forget – This Sunday hosts the I AM NOT A TOURIST expo. It’s from 11 am to 5 pm at the Beurs Van Berlage in Amsterdam. You can learn improv comedy, try your hand at speed dating, cooking, or wine-tasting, and find tons of excuses to spend money you don’t have.

The full program can be found here.

I'm going to be 150% honest with you. I feel, generally, about 1,000 times more comfortable in a park than in a cafe or pub. That is not to say I dislike the generic set of pub activities -smoking, drinking, nibbling, and any number of language games- rather it is to say I prefer all those (and other) activities in the (relatively) wide open air. I know I am not alone here. In the summer time it is refreshingly common to see two youth trudging through the park with a case of beer hung heavy between them; making their way to a group of kindred who have already gotten started.

Of course, and regretably, we are now in the final third of October, and those beer and bikini days are long behind, at least for another eight months. In a sense an Amsterdam institution is going out of season. Yet, let us not indulge too long in lamentation. The parks are still open, and although our bodies are more warmly clothed we can still enjoy some bud or some brew as the trees throw autumn's first pitch. Autumn is Amsterdam, in my opinion, at its most romantic; at its most serene.

So where to go to absorb the autumn air? Really just about any park will do, and no matter where you are or where you will be there is bound to be one close. My favorites, however, (and as usual) require a bit of work and preferably a bike:

1. If it is morning (say 8 or 9 am) and some rays are coming through the cloud cover, or, better yet, the clouds are all away, the Vondelpark becomes a fantastical domain of color and mist. steeples of churches become the spires of the temples for elves; the trees become ancient things sleeping under vibrant moss; and joggers become...well they're still just joggers, but look at them run along the smoking water unaware of the magic underneath...

2. Ride south along the River Amstel long enough and you're bound to encounter, among other things, the Amstelpark. To be honest this place is still very much a mystery to me. It is a maze-les maze of places and peeps. With all the nooks, brooks, old things, and crannies (I really wanted to say 'crooks' here) scattered throughout I seldom manage to find the same place twice. If you are the type to venture into a smartshop for some of those little fungal strategies, then I recommend this as the place to go with them -if not for the countless curiosities then at least for the roosters they let roam around amongst them. In warmer months the ice-cream stand by the windmill at the southern-ish end is a welcome reprieve.

3. Amsterdamse Bos, tucked between Schiphol and Amsterdam's southwest extremities, is about the closest thing to 'real nature' you'll find in this metropole, and while I do not know if it is a fact related, somehow watching dogs sniff each other and fish things out of canals is more interesting here than elsewhere. Uncrowded, quiet, and exploding with all the silver and fire one comes to treasure in the autumn months (at least if they are all sappy like me) this is a place to go to get away from the over-crowded everywhere else.

Today, I walked to work in the dark. Sure, it was early – around 8:00 – but not that early. It’s that strange time of year where the sun is playing hard-to-get and the clocks haven’t yet accommodated for the shortening days. I never seem to get used to living this far north, especially in the colder months.

The walk was kind of eerie, in fact. Construction workers were out doing their thing, bakeries wafted the tantalizing smell of fresh bread, birds chirped – but no sun. Leaves are falling like mad, as well, and it’s clear that winter is almost upon Amsterdam.

Snap some pictures of the trees before they’re entirely naked, and get ready to say goodbye to Daylight Saving Time and set back your clocks this weekend.

If you’re poor, or just looking for a great deal, check Last Minute Ticket Shop before buying overpriced tickets to film, cabaret, opera, or whatever tickles your fancy. Other than their handy website, they are located in the Leidseplein (Leidseplein 26, open from 12 – 7:30 pm).

Their website is updated every day at 12 pm, so it’s a good place to start (instead of waiting in the rain and/or in a long line) to see what’s currently available. The website provides all necessary information about your chosen “to do,” and even provides a handy LNP label (language no problem), a greatly appreciated addition in the land of elusive Dutch.

I once travelled from my homestate of New Jersey to California, and I noticed the crazy mix of old cars you could find there. Of course you always see images of Havana and how all the cars are really old there.

Here in Amsterdam, when I think of all the wacky cars one can see on the street, this one should be the city's mascot. The 1969 Citroën DS. Apparently it appealed to the people of this city back then, and for many die-hards, it still does!

When I faced the realization that the nice accommodation provided by the university would not be around much longer, and I would have to find a place on my own, dread set in. I spent months looking at dodgy apartments, stinky rooms, and dangerous quarters. But eventually – five months later, to be exact – I did find a nice room.

Students for Students was the organization that got me there. For a small membership fee, you can arrange to view any of their online listings of cheap places to live. The website provides you with info such as the area that the room/apartment/house is located in, its size, and other helpful information. Their offices are located at Ceintuurbaan 316. Students for Students is a great place to start in the desperate quest for a place to live in Amsterdam.

The dangerous part about playing Frisbee Golf around Museum Square, are the hazards. Especially when a hazard is part of the museum.

I just returned from a week in a very green country. Ireland. I flew through RyanAir and it was a bit of an ordeal to train to Eindhoven and then get a bus to the airport and then a bus to dublin after we flew in, but it was well worth it.

One of the main things that I discovered there was that people are different. I know, that sounds very obvious. The Dutch, compared to the Irish, are like night and day. The Irish are loud, they drink a lot more and I feel like maybe a bit closer to American culture. The Dutch are a little bit more tough, they still certainly know how to have fun, no doubt about that, but the Irish do it louder and drink much more.

I had forgotten about religion since I have been in Amsterdam and could not believe how Catholic the Irish really were. Everyone is raised Catholic there. I have not met one religious person here in Amsterdam. My teachers are all very vocal about how religion is kind of a joke here.

If you are planning on visiting Ireland, I recommend going to Galway and the Aran Islands. Galway is a greener city than Dublin and has a great student life.

The Aran Islands are breathtaking. They have cliffs and old ruins of castles. It is really an experience to go. Try and go after September, though. Otherwise, the tourists really take over.

Due to a wild night out I headed to work at a belated hour today (the joys of being a student – the paycheck may be nonexistent, but the schedule is so flexible!). Therefore, I had the privilege of experiencing Dam Square traffic in its full fury, rather than the more muted 8:00 am version.

And thus begins a (potential) series of traffic pet peeves. Let’s start with people who lead their children into pedestrian crossings that clearly have a red light. Or even push them ahead, so as to protect themselves from the fury of the bikes. Really amazing, to use one’s kids in this way. Like getting to the Kalverstraat one minute earlier is more important than the safety of their offspring.

But they’re right: I won’t startle a cute little girl with my bell or an aggressive move into the intersection. I’ll sit and simmer, instead.

Amsterdam Weekly has a nice extra this week: A “spreek-je-uit-poster.” According to the poster itself, if allows you to “create your own statement by crossing out letters or words! Hang the post in your window, take a photo of it and then send it to geluk@gelijk.org.”

Sounds like a nice idea. Of course, you need to know a few words in Dutch, namely ik, mijn, buurman, ben, is, geen, ongelukkige, and nederlander. If you can handle that – or any dictionary can – then get ready to be imaginative and get creative with your Dutch. My first thought was “Ik ben geen nederlander.” Or you can visit this site for some ideas. Pick up a copy of Amsterdam Weekly first, though. The issue will be around until next Tuesday.

FILM

Fifth edition of the Jewish Film Festival Amsterdam with dozens of feature films and documentaries, all focussing on Jewish culture. This year's theme is Women and Film. The opening film, winner of Panorama audience prize at Berlinale 2006, is a documentary called Paper Dolls by Israeli director Tomer Heymann. The real life Paper Dolls (Filipino drag queens) will be present at the premiere.
Movie theater De Uitkijk - Prinsengracht 452
Phone: + 31 20 6237460
Nov 1-8. 7,50 Euro

HALLOWEEN PARTIES
Payday Halloween Party on a boat. Bring a mask and dress in black! Cheap drinks.
Lizboa Boat- Veemkade 251
Oct 28 @ 9pm
Free if you rsvp: hellpaydayparty@hotmail.com

OntFront Bal Masqué with hip hop and prizes for the best costume or mask of the night. They sell masks at the door (2,50 Euro)
Bitterzoet - Spuistraat 2
Oct 31 from 10pm-3am
Free entrance + vodkashot between 10-11pm, after that 5 Euro

Every now and again I get a craving for a bigger meal and sense I am on a tight budget I can't really afford to go someplace too nice for dinner. I normally cook at home. That was until I was introduced to Dulac. After 5 pm students can get dinner for half-price. That is 50% off of whatever regular entree you get! I got a pasta dish for 4 euros. The portion was big, I was stuffed and quite content with the discovery of such cheap food. This only applies for dinner, though, and you have to bring your student ID with you. If you don't have it... well, I don't really know what they will do to you... probably give you half off anyway if you give them a convincing argument and an unhappy face.

I recently headed to Arc with a friend for after-work cocktails. All cocktails – pages and pages of them – are only five euros apiece from 17:00-19:00, and impressive at that. The atmosphere is very hip and full of good-looking guys (well, it is a gay bar). We even spotted a Dutch media celebrity, although I can’t recall her name.

Arc is located at Reguliersdwarsstraat 44, just off the flower market.

It’s Halloween – ooooh, scary. Why not spend the day at the Amsterdam Dungeon?

It couldn’t be that scary, though – they do offer school visits. Or maybe that’s just the lawsuit-fearing American in me speaking. But they say that “the Dungeons are not recommended for those of a nervous disposition or very young children.” Anyway, they describe the dungeons “as indoor theme parks of historical horror.”

I’m actually not quite sure what I’m endorsing. The website sponsors dungeons all over Europe (also in York, Hamburg, London, and Edinburgh) and I can’t seem to figure out where the Amsterdam place is located. Oh wait, there it is, at Rokin 78. Although you can order (and pay for) tickets or write to press@theamsterdamdungeon.nl for more information.

Creepy. I guess that’s Halloween for you.