As you will see, coffeeshops are found three to a street within the red light district, and plenty more abound once you start to go beyond it. Many of these places are grimy, dark and with terrible atmosphere, sometimes jammed with people of the variety you would not want to encounter (not the "Hey, where you from?" type) on your Amsterdam vacation, but rather locals and long term visitors who haven't seen the light of day in weeks.

Other coffeeshops, however, offer beautiful settings with very ornate, eleborate decorations. This must be testiment to the profit reaped in by the owners- it simply cannot be cheap to design a shop in such ways.

Two of the nicest if you only have a weekend are Abraxas and the Greenhouse. There are several Greenhouses, but I like best the larger one on Oudezijds Voorburgwal 191. It is a myriad of blue and green glass, warm colours and funky furniture. It looks like an underwater paradise.

Abraxas is open from 10am to 1am daily, and the largest one is the one I recommend, located at Jonge Roelensteeg 12-14 off of Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal (behind Dam Square). It is designed in a tropical style, with 2 floors and lots of lounging space. They also have board games like backgammon and chess!

These are two coffeeshops I would even take my mother. They are interesting for the non-smoker who wants to get a peek and understand coffeeshop life in Amsterdam, and of course coffee and juices are always on the menu if one does not want to partake in plethora of joints, hash brownies and cakes.

It has already made all the rounds as the "fun news" item of the day, but it bears repeating here on Trippist.

Over the weekend, photographer Spencer Tunick was in town, doing what he does best: photographing large quantities of naked people around town.

I was not up early enough as I don't believe that the hour of 5am exists, but there are a good amount of photos online. The most beautiful is the one of everyone lined up on the Guggenheim-esque Europark complex on Marnixstraat. This huge structure covered with bodies is something amazing and rare to see.

The local Amsterdam channel AT5 had a bunch of photos that you can check out. You can also usually find something on Flickr.

Bored on Sunday afternoon? Want to go somewhere cool, relaxed, and with good music? Somewhere where you can have a glass of red wine or a coffee and chill out on worn leather sofas, playing old-school Nintendo games? The Appletree Records is hosting the Appletree Cafe many Sundays at the Bitterzoet (but not every week!). You can check the schedule here. There is always a DJ playing lounge, jazz and other chill out music, and sometimes Village Bagels comes around with their tasty treats, including pies, quiches, bagels and sandwiches. And it is fun to see the hip hop club Bitterzoet in such a relaxed atmosphere. Even if you are just here visiting, this is a really pleasant way to spend the day feeling 'in' with a local scene. It has been a bit trendy from time to time, but that's normal here in Amsterdam. Bitterzoet is located at Spuistraat 2, and the cafe starts around 3pm till 8pm or so.

Anyone could sit around and recommend you go to the Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam. That's a pretty easy recommendation since it is the biggest market and argueably the nicest in Amsterdam. (oh I hear the nordermarkt fans already, silence please!)
But you need more info than that, otherwise you could get lost in the endless crap that you can also find at the market.

My big not-to-be-missed shop along the Albert Cuyp is what my friends and I call the Asian Store. Yes, of course, it has a real name, "De Peper Bol" but in my social circles, no one remembers that.

The Asian Store spilleth over with lovely things to look at and especially entertainment for your nose. Herbs and spices, candies of all kinds, packed into little plastic bags with a simple label. Browse through them, take a good look, and give each a smell to help make your choice. When I want to bring candy to relatives back home, I come here and grab bags of the many different types of licorice.

You can find the Asian Store aka De Peper Bol, at about the halfway point of the Albert Cuyp markt. A few blocks after the Heineken Brewery, down in the Pijp neighborhood. Not far from the guy who makes the stroopwaffels, which should probably be the other do-not-miss thing.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it:

Find this submarine in Amsterdam North and figure out what is going on there and how to get in. My informants tell me it is a former soviet submarine, some kind of squat, and a place where there are sometimes parties. None of this intelligence info can be confirmed.

Approach with caution, take a ferry from Central Station.

This weekend there are two biggy acts coming to town that I recommend if you can find a way to get in (and there is always A WAY in Amsterdam):

Modest Mouse. Need I say more? Melkweg, Saturday. Huzzah!

Patti Smith. Yes.. the great one. Another sold out challenge for ya.
Paradiso, Sunday.

Oh and wear as few bits of clothing as possible, it has got to be almost 90 degrees F out there ( just short of 30 C).

It had been some time since I went around the construction along the new neighborhood that will be called ODE. (Oosterdokseiland) You can't miss ODE, well, the construction anyway, as it is right smack next to Centraal Station if you walk out the main entrance and look left. Many tourists walk along the construction on their way into the Stedelijk CS building. (modern art)

So like I said, it had been some time since I'd really looked at the site, and to my surprise, some very big buildings have already been built! (pictured below, I think this one is the public library)

I've been browsing the ODE website (in english and dutch), and it is a fascinating project. Strangest of all is that it is right there at the center of the Amsterdam-Universe. Where once you only had water, POOF, a new neighborhood that will one day be a normal place to pass by, have a drink, visit a friend, or just snap a photo before getting on a train.

Being that Belgium just had their elections, I browsed over to "De Brakke Grond", the Flemish cultural center in Amsterdam. (Flemish being the northern Dutch speaking Belgians, for those who were never taught such things)

Talk about fun, they just opened an exhibition of smells! Yes.. art for your nose. It is called "Air Polluter" by the artist Peter De Cupere. The installation allows the visitor to decide how they pollute the air; dividing smell fields between good and bad smells.

It sounds strangely unique, so what better time to walk over to the Flemish Cultural Center and smell what it's all about. (short walk from Dam Square along the Rokin to NES 45)

For those that are considering studying in the Netherlands, either for a year, a semester, or the summer, you will eventually run into the great tuition debate.

You see, there are two categories of international students: those that are European Union citizens and those that are not. The difference between the two in terms of cost, is significant. A non EU student at the U of Amsterdam today pays as much as 9,000 euros per year. A walk in the park when you compare it to US university costs, but a great deal of money to anyone coming from Asia, Africa, and South America. When you compare that to the 1,500 euros per year that EU students pay, it raises big questions about how and why this policy came to be.

Some student groups and political parties here in the Netherlands are actually trying to make Universities change this policy, and generate some attention to this inequality.

Myself I can remember many friends from Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya, struggling to pay tuition every year. They wanted to work and make money to help pay for their studies, but tight working restrictions for non EU students made this impossible. Many of them actually did NOT get their degree, as they ran out of money even after completing their course work.

Obviously one strategy that many students adopt is to find a way to get EU citizenship. 27 nations means somehow somewhere, you might have a case for getting your EU citizenship. Then again if 9,000 a semester seems like peanuts to you, well.. you know where you can come study.

At the risk of getting labeled an old man, I want to tell you how much I like open garden day(s) in Amsterdam.

Once a year, for a nominal fee, many of the cities best gardens are opened to the public. Backyards, courtyards, alleyways, rooftops, and floating earth... all available to be experienced on these special days.

Years ago I was wondering back through the Pijp on the way home from the Albert Cuyp Market when I noticed the signs for Open Garden Day. I stuck my nose into someone's house and was immediately invited into the yard but a soft spoken British gentleman. I sat down in his garden and stared up at the canopy of beautiful trees high above my head. "Do you have a garden?" he asked. "I do" I told him, "a small one." -"It is important to just plant" he insisted, "wherever you live, whatever kind of apartment or house, just start putting plants around your home, it makes everything more beautiful."

Well this year you too can enjoy Open Garden Day(s), June 15, 16, and 17, between 10am and 5pm. Tickets can be bought via the VVV.

DANCE
During one whole month the Leidseplein will be changed into a huge dance floor! Flamenco, Lindy Hop, tango, salsa, Bal Moderne, hiphop, breakdance, workshops, classes and more. Check out the site for the whole program.
Leidseplein
Every Wed-Sun June 15-July 15

AMSTERDAM ROOTS FESTIVAL
This cross-over world festival includes music from all parts of the globe presenting big-name artists and innovating co-operations. The Amsterdam Roots Festival kicks of on Saturday with Ritmo do Brasil at Paradiso. Don't miss Roots Open Air in the Oosterpark this Sunday June 17. Free concerts from noon till 10pm!
Check out the whole program for times and locations.

CONCERT
Wicked Jazz Sounds 5th year anniversary party! 30 Artists on three floors at Paradiso "taking you on a futuristic journey through jazz, hip hop, soul, funk, broken-beat, house, drum & bass and beyond…
Paradiso - Weteringschans 6-8
June 16 from midnight
15 Euro

News came in this morning that the oldest Tiger at the Amsterdam zoo died. 19 years old, which apparently is an exceptionally old age for a tiger.

Reading this news reminds me of how lovely the zoo here in Amsterdam is. While the stereotype of this city is that of an adults-only city, Artis embodies the great amount of activities for all ages here in Amsterdam.

Despite not having any children, I still roll by Artis every few months to admire the zebras, my favorite zoo residents. I float by on boat after closing, on the canal adjacent to the Zebras, and I watch them do Zebra things.

So in honor of the late Tiger: Mira, I recommend spending time at the Artis Zoo, and enjoying all the life it has to offer.

Cineac, on Reguliersbreestraat 31-35, was once one of the most important theatres in Amsterdam.You might have noticed it on your way to the Tuschinski, rundown and shutdown.

Well now, a group of idealists headed by the one and only DJ Tiesto have decided to revitalize the place. They are turning it into a club for Thursdays (called Rush3000), Friday with live DJ sets and Saturday specials. Serving up excellent cocktails and chinese food till late into the night, plus some excellent bar snacks, it is something of an Amsterdam experiment that must be time tested to show its real club might against the more established locales.

Cuisine, Club & Cocktails at CINEAC may prove to be a winner for Amsterdam nightlife, but if you're going, be prepared to spend! Their attempt at old style glam comes with a hefty price tag.

Wicked Jazz Sounds, the party that unites jazz, funk, old-school hip hop, drum-n-bass and more into a "futuristic journey", is 5 years old this Saturday. No less than 30 artists will take over all three floors of established venue Paradiso (Weteringschans 6-8), one of the most popular locations in Amsterdam. Usually, you might find Wicked Jazz Sounds at Sugar Factory on Sunday nights, but Paradiso will be a better spot for this big event!

Costing 15 euro plus membership, the party doesn't start till midnight, as earlier in the night are selections from the Amsterdam Roots Festival. A tip: sometimes if you go to a concert in the early evening at Paradiso, you can 'hang around' until the later party starts, without paying twice. Hope to see you there!

Before all the rain, Amsterdam had some lovely sunny days which I took advantage of to bring you a little video snippet from the Albert Cuyp Market.

If you are into bags (and who's not?) you should definitely visit the Tassenmuseum Hendrikje (Museum of Bags and Purses) on the beautiful Herengracht. They were previously located in Amstelveen but opened in Amsterdam last week.
The museum has over 3500 bags and accessories that display the history of western ladies handbags from the late Middle Ages to present. It's the only museum in the world that houses such an extensive and specialized collection and it hopes to be a source of inspiration to designers, artists, students and anyone with an eye for beautiful things.

It's housed in an historic building (1664) along the Herengracht and has its own museum café, historic garden and two rooms with 17th and 18th century ceiling murals and mantelpieces. The shop sells an assortment of purses and bags by Dutch and foreign designers which should also be available online from this month.

Yet another friend of mine has disappeared to the North, joining the festivities at a theater festival I have heard alot about: Oerol.

As their website puts it:

From 15 to 24 June, the island of Terschelling will, for the 26th time, receive hoards of theatre-makers, musicians, dancers, Tellers of Tall Tales, visual artists, and everything in between.

Of course it is a primarily Dutch language festival, but I've heard lots of non-Dutch speaking friends talk about their experience there and it doesn't seem to be a problem. Perhaps theater is a universal language.. eh?

Also I should note that the festival has lots of activities for kids as well, so you're encouraged to bring them along.

To get there, well, it is an exciting journey. Train from Amsterdam to Leeuwarden and then another train to Harlingen and then an exciting boat ride to the island - Terschelling! Of course there are other ways... click here to read transport options.

When I first moved to Amsterdam, only a few years ago, I noticed this church down in the Pijp. I recognized the tall windows, the grand entrance, and of course an angel atop the building. But like so many things in Amsterdam, things are not always what they seem... this church was no longer a church.. it was a café.

Some months later, the doors closed and they didn't open up for a long time. When they did, that café was transformed into a very hip yet simple restaurant and café. And they named it: Bazar.

Bazar's menu features many recognizable Turkish delights, cooked by some very talented chefs. They are especially good with breakfast: Algerian pancakes, Turkish yogurt, and a buffet of delicious cheeses and sweets.

Best of all the prices are not as crazy as most brandy-new-and-trendy restaurants. So not only can you try something new, you can also afford it. Best of all, you're still in an old church, which I like to think - makes everything a little more special.

ps- These guys also run a hotel named Bazar in Rotterdam. Ill check it out and report back.

Bazar is located at number 182, Albert Cuypstraat. Right in the heart of the Albert Cuyp market.

MUSIC
Izaline Calister
Izaline and her band combine jazz with the traditional music of her native island Curaçao (Dutch Caribbean).
Bimhuis - Piet Heinkade 3
June 22 at 9PM
14 Euro

Amsterdam Roots Festival
Festival with music from all parts of the globe. Don't miss: Dobet Gnahoré from Ivory Coast/France and Manu Dibango & The Soul Makossa Gang from Cameroon.
Melkweg - Lijnbaansgracht 234a
June 23 from 9PM
30 Euro

George Michael
Amsterdam ArenA - ArenA Boulevard 1
June 26 at 730PM
From 49 Euros

SEE
Remember last week's posting on Trippist about photographer Spencer Tunick? Well on June 23 he will be unveiling his art works at the same place they were created. The opening ceremony will be performed by Tunick himself on the Leliegracht and the artwork he made with 2000 participants in the Europarking building will be on display in the water of the Singelgracht. More info on DreamAmsterdam.
June 23 at 5PM - until August 31
Leliegracht and Singelgracht
Free

Now normally a tourist will never hear a peep about block parties in Amsterdam. They don't appear in any guide book, and there's no way to receive an invitation. So unless you stumble upon them, it is easy to miss the magic.

But it is summer, and any good street or neighborhood is bound to close off their street to traffic and throw a BBQ or a party of some form. And if you walk into one of these, it isn't difficult to smile, shake some hands, introduce yourself as a stranger passing through, and enjoy some food, drink, and conversation. Probably some live music and magic tricks as well.

Last week it was my neighborhood that threw a big one in the rain. Complete with moonwalk for the kids, funk band for whomover would listen, and most importantly - pancakes for all.

As I made my way through the crowd, no one seemed to recognize me. But like I said, all it took was a few smiles, a hand shake, and suddenly I had all the pancakes I could desire.

It's Europe’s biggest free outdoor pop festival and it takes place this Sunday June 24 in The Hague. Big names such as Beef, Air Traffic, Nneka, Maria Mena, Israel Vibration and Kim Wilde will perform this year. Concerts start at 1PM from 3 different stages, check out Parkpop's website for the full program. The festival market with more than 100 stands is also worth checking out.

The easiest way to the Zuiderpark in The Hague is by public transport. From Amsterdam trains run every half hour to Den Haag Centraal Station and Den Haag Hollands Spoor. From both train stations there are non stop Parkpop trams and buses from 11AM till 10PM going back and forth to the Zuiderpark. You will need to buy a special 3 Euro return ticket before getting on the tram or bus.

Did you come here on holiday? Are you coming as an exchange student? Do you just want a new way of life, and think Amsterdam will be the solution to your problems back home? (Or at least an escape?)

It is not easy finding a place to call home in this small city - even short term. Some prefer to avoid the high cost of hotels for brief visits, instead seeking a nice quiet apartment with all the facilities. Rent can be high and rooms lacking not only in quantity but quality. You need to know the insider sources to be able to find a good deal.

Amsterdam does use Craig's List. Often rental companies present too good to be true prices, only to discover that they are weekly, not monthly, but nevertheless this untapped resource is slowly gaining popularity around here, and more people use it because it is free to advertise.

Another source is Kamer Net. Kamernet is in Dutch, but this gives you a better chance of finding rooms that you know aren't a scam. Also, they have a cap price of 1200 euro per month, and often better prices well-suited to students. First thing you must do is a free registration, then when you find rooms you like the look of, you hit 'React' (or 'Reageren'). The only catch is that you must pay; Kamernet.nl charges € 9,95 per 10 reactions € 12,95 per 20 reactions € 15,95 per 30 reactions that you send to landlords. Although most of us students do not want to pay for this service, I do know many people that have successfully found accomodation on this site.

Finally, you can use ELynx. The beauty of Elynx is that it is a Dutch site (.nl), but is for the English speaking community. Postings and 'reagerens' are free, and many new offers go up daily.

No not the band, the bar!
Cafe Soundgarden is the spot for an alternative scene that doesn't make you feel like you've walked into a teenage wasteland. Soundgarden has live music a couple of nights a week, plus experimental DJs, grunge, punk, and many other types of music along this vein. This place is probably one of my favorite places in Amsterdam and indeed where you should go if you don't want a cheesy tourist crowd. The crowd, speaking of, is eclectic and amusing and very much the Dutch at their finest. I often meet Berliners here too so that may give you an additional clue on what to expect.

Anything goes, so smoking here is Ok and drinks are cheaper than most places around. A Younge Ginever (typical Dutch gin - delicious --if you're on a budget!) is around 2 euros, normally 4 in posher locales.

Also , Soundgarden keeps you entertained with a variety of games: pool, darts, pinball, chess and backgammon. Overlooking the Singelgracht canal, the rear terrace gives the spot its name 'garden'. Wait for the weather to clear, then get out there!
Open every day of the week till one am, but to three on weekends, Sound Garden is found at Marnixstraat 164-166.

Not every city can claim to have great, or even decent, graffiti. One of my biggest pet peeves in fact is when some idiots scribble their names as some indecipherable symbol, constantly competing to cover the most wall space. They ‘uglify’, if I may, the otherwise precious streets. Plus, noone outside of their small clique of friends can even understand what they have written- what kind of respect, what kind of street cred. will that get you??

One thing Amsterdam has to offer its locals and visitors is quality graffiti. Amongst all that scribbled garbage are some real gems. The Vankrijk (a long-established squat along the Spui) for example, and the building directly opposite, are both covered in colourful and pleasing to view artwork.

I recommend while in Amsterdam to keep your eyes open for some of the more revealing graffiti. You can learn much about a place by simply noticing what the youth cover their hometown with, and often it may be political in nature or simple a statement about the daily life of the citizens.

Hmm, so you've come to Amsterdam and you know, rain or shine, that you have to take a canal cruise. And trust me this is not just for older people- everybody who is here on holiday has to do this. Which one do you choose? Everyone asks me this- which is the best?

Here is a tip: while the Holland Cruise from Centraal may be the fanciest, the others along Damrak are also more than fine. So, how to choose? Keep on walking. If your canal cruise is the first activity you embark on (after the Grasshopper, most likely) then the cheapest by about 2 euros is the final one down the Damrak, farthest from Centraal and towards Dam Square. In fact there is very little difference between them that I personally have experienced, and I have taken 3 so far.

Afterwards, what to do with those 2 euros you've saved? Oh, so many possibilities! Pickled herring sandwich, kebab, or falafel?

I think it is good to give you fair notice for notable upcoming events. So mark this one down: July 6th and 7th, Jazz at Nemo.

It is the 5th annual "Jazz op het Dak" party organized by the public tv-radio group VPRO. Followed by an afterparty at the Bimhuis, where the sound is always PERFECT.

Tickets will run you 17.50€, or alternatively you can do a two day ticket that will save you some beans. Acts include Eric Vloeimans’ Gatecrash en Vijay Iyer Quartet, which I admit I've never heard of but maybe you have and well.. it is jazz overlooking Amsterdam organized by an organization with great taste... so that should be enough.

Fun begins at 20h15 on the 6th of July.. on top of Nemo of course.

Greetings from Brussels. You know.. the capital of Europe as well as Belgium, just a 3 hour train ride from Amsterdam. Actually I was invited down here by the European Union (youth press bureau) for a Youth Media Conference, so I took the Thalys which gets you here faster and happier. Thanks EU!

Since I'm here I should recommend to you something very essential: my favorite place in Brussels for stuffing your face while surfing the net and occasionally glancing at a beautiful person at the table next to you.

Cercle Des Voyageurs is a quick walk from the Grande Place, not far from where the little naked kid pee's and all the tourists take photos. It has a very Belgian-colonial feel, not that I lived during that era, but I'm guessing this was the feeling. Great pie, huge selection of fancy teas, and yes... plenty of free wireless internets for all your interneting needs. It might be pricey for food, like my lemon merange pie I think costs 4 euros. (wow, now that I wrote that, I'm annoyed at the price) There is also a bookshop and an art gallery in here somewhere, but I'm to lazy to follow the signs.

I digress, it is my favorite place, and it may come in handy when you first arrive in Brussels.

CONCERTS
Live at Westerpark
Peter Gabriel, John Legend, Scissor Sisters, Keane and Björk will perform at this year's concert series from June 27 - July 8.
Get tickets on www.mojo.nl, www.ticketmaster.nl or at VVV Information Offices.

The Hold Steady (pop/rock)
Melkweg - Lijnbaansgracht 234a
July 1 at 830PM
15 Euro

Festival 5 Days Off: Senses under Attack
5 nights filled with concerts at different locations such as Melkweg, Paradiso and Heineken Music Hall. Performances by Daft Punk, Tiga, Dizzee Rascal, Kode 9, DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, Pendulum and many more.
July 4 - July 8
Check out the website for tickets, times and locations. They sell passepartout tickets which allow you to see all concerts (except for Daft Punk).

EVENT
Shop around and enjoy some honest food along the way at the Eco, Art & Design Market this Sunday at the Dappermarkt. You'll find lots of young designers selling their work besides clothes, fashion items and other artwork.
Trams 3, 7, 9, 10 and 14 all go to the Dappermarkt or check out 9292ov.
Dapperplein
July 1 from 9AM - 5PM
Free

If you've the good fortune of being in Amsterdam this weekend, come down to the frisbee fields near Olympic Stadium and watch the fun at one of Europe's largest and most insane ultimate frisbee competitions: Windmill Windup.

I'm handling video so expect some highlights this weekend. Today I watched the Danish national team take on our own Amsterdam Red Lights. Also saw Paris's Ultimate Vibration beating an Italian team. While the Finnish ladies national team seemed to have an easy time with the Czech women. Fun times in the rainy weather.

Admission is free. Games are going all day and into the night. Parties happen in between. Food available for cheap. More info on the site.