If you're up for a drive (bike ride!) and want to go somewhere cheap, surrounded by students and the water, with a view of an old Russian ship that now flies a Cypriot flag, head out west.

Aan 't IJ serves up quality breakfasts, lunches and dinners and offers cheap drinks at nights. On sunny days, giant bean bags and lounge chairs crowd the open deck, around a massive fireplace (active at night if you're lucky). The restaurant/bar is located in the middle of very standard Dutch student housing -funky coloured balconys-, although some young professionals also reside in the area. Click on the link for directions, because if I told you here you'd only get confused. I still go often and dont mind the ride, but then again, I've got a couple of student friends on the boat (it's so big, you won't miss it!)

Despite the fact that 2007 is more than half over, I just noticed that this year is the "City of Architecture" celebration in Rotterdam.

This means lots of special events related to the crazy architecture you find around the city. It also means a shnazy website that includes audio tours where you can get information and hear stories of specific buildings. Unfortunately the special weblog on the site doesn't have much, but they've still got a few months left in 2007 to shape up.

In the mean time you can go to that site and read all about what this special year of architecture involves. I've heard about lots of open air movie viewings that are still going on on a regular basis... might have to check that out myself.

Riding a bike is a useful skill in Amsterdam. Now it's time to kick it up a notch. Answering your mobile phone, balancing multiple shopping bags, and most importantly, handling your umbrella. Although this may seem tricky, it is an important way of maintaining the ability to ride in even the harshest weather. Although, nothing is more embarrassing than when you're riding and the umbrella flips backwards- also dangerous! I suggest practicing in wide open spaces. Also be sure that you can open your umbrella mid-flight. And then- prepare yourself for tourists to take pictures of you, even if you are one yourself- you'll seem like a real local to them!

AMSTERDAM PRIDE 2007

Don't miss the Amsterdam Gay Pride! Street parties start on Friday night till Sunday and the famous Canal Parade takes place on Saturday. The parade starts at 2 pm at the beginning of the Prinsengracht. At the end of the Prinsengracht, the parade turns left on to the Amstel river and passes the Stadshuis / Muziektheater to make a right in the direction of the Oosterdok.
Check out the website for street party locations, pride party agenda and Amsterdam gay guide.
August 3, 4 & 5

CONCERT
The Black Seeds (reggae, funk, soul)
Melkweg - Lijnbaansgracht 234a
August 3 at 830PM
15 Euro

The camera is charged. The boat is fueled and mostly clean. The weather is sunny and looks like it will get dam hot.

Gay Pride 2007, ready to go! And for all who can't make it live in person to watch the pageant on the canals, I shall provide video highlights right here in Trippist. So stay tuned and of course, keep an eye on flickr for all the photos as people in Amsterdam are reliable flickr users.

Meet my friend Nikki. A couple of days ago I wanted something sweet, so she told me that for a good slice of apple pie (a classic Dutch treat) I ought to stop by Café Katoen. We went together and split a piece. It was good! Better though, in my opinion, was the cafe itself. Located right in the heart of the city (next to De Jaren, on the corner towards Muntplein), Café Katoen is a cool spot for students and other young people. Nice music, attractive bartenders, and .. mm mm apple pie. Good atmosphere particularly in the afternoons, and a suitable place to go with a book alone, or later in the evening with friends for drinks. Definitely a local's spot, too!
Oude Turfmarkt 153

Saturday's Pride celebration here in Amsterdam was a beautiful day filled with many beautiful people in around the canals, dancing, singing, and generally smiling at each other. I experienced the entire day from my little boat, sometimes just parked off to the side watching the parade go by, other times cruising the canals alongside the big "floats" filled to the brim with balloons, banners, and dancers.

The following vlog entry is a little snippet of my experience at pride 2007.. enjoy.

Click To Play

Don't read it as parade like RAID... it is PA RAh Deh.. it is going on right now in Amsterdam. With the beautiful backdrop of the Amstel River and Martin Luther King park, this is the city's crown jewel of theater festivals.

Whenever I think of Parade I think of my favorite performance group in Amsterdam, Pipslab. But this year neither I nor pipslab have been present at the festival. I won't be able to make it down for several days more, and they're not performing this year.

Instead there is plenty more to choose from, including plenty of musicals. You know you love musicals, especially in Dutch. So if you're in town between now and the 19th of August, find your way down the Amstel til you end up at Martin Luther King park. Its down south, past the Pijp and the Rivierenbuurt.. after the main area for rowing clubs. Detailed instructions and further information are waiting for you on their site. (beware all in Dutch) Alternatively the Amsterdam Weekly has additional info in English.

CANAL FESTIVAL
For nine days over ninety classical concerts will take place in various locations across Amsterdam, including museums, monuments, private residences and special stages on the water. The Canal Festival (Grachtenfestival) is also a platform for young talent. Most concerts are free, some request a small fee. The highlight of the festival is the Prinsengracht concert on August 18 near the Pulitzer hotel on Prinsengracht 315-331.

Check out the website for the complete program and locations.
August 11 -19

There are a lot of immigrants in Amsterdam, and plenty of them bring along delicious treats for us to eat! Baklava, the Greek/Turkish/Lebanese (?) dessert made from filo dough, honey and pistachios (and in several other varieties as well) are plentiful at the multiple shops, but as this is one of my greatest weaknesses, I will share with you now my most favorite shop in town. Around the corner from the Albert Cuypstraat market in De Pijp, GaZiaNTEP Pastahanesi, at the corner of Govert Flinck Straat, is the ultimate Baklava experience. They've got variety, amazing tastes, and they've got authenticity. They also have Turkish pizzas, but I've never tried them so I won't recommend them here. Do stop by next time you enter the market from the east side. If you enjoy this delight, you truly won't regret the 2 minute walk.

There is a strong tradition of public pools in Amsterdam. Unfortunately some of them are very old school leaving you with little elbow room and not much else to do while going for whatever swim you can get.

However some places are being remodelled or completely reconstructed. When I say some places, Im thinking of the Het Marnix.

Opened in 2006, Het Marnix is a huge modern indoor pool, spa, café-restaurant, and who knows what else. The pool itself is fantastic and on the canal side there is all glass so as you swim in the pool you feel as though you're swimming in the canal.

But this is not a recommendation to just go swimming there, the building has a very lovely café overlooking the canal known as "Grande Café". It is cozy, it is well thought out, and it features a health conscious fresh-out-the-pool kind of crowd.

The pool is just on the outskirts of the Jordaan so we're talking walking distance if you're exploring that area. There is also tram and bus access, that info you'll find on their site.

Who doesn't fall in love with houseboats in Amsterdam? It is always a surefire conversation topic with first time visitors; the floating structures. Who lives in them? What does it cost? How does it work? What caused the tradition to start? I myself still ask some of these questions.

Well now is a good time for me and my questions to head over to the Amsterdam Architecture Center, also known as ARCAM. They're doing an exibition until September 9th on aquatic building in Amsterdam. The exhibit includes visting some of these floating structures, which sounds interesting to me.

ARCAM is right next to the Maritime Museum, a brief walk or bus ride from Central Station. More info on their website and after you've been there you can finally answer all those nagging questions about all these structures on water.

I had the honor of being invited to speak at a very unique conference in Berlin over the weekend. And while previously I've spoken about low cost flying or internet hitchhiking to Germany, this time I decided to take the train.

There are a few trains you can take daily, Amsterdam-Berlin/Berlin-Amsterdam, a six hour train ride in total. The ride itself is smooth and relaxed, regardless if you take the normal IC train or the shnazzy ICE bullet looking trains. Unfortunately, at least at this time of year, there is only one direct train per day going in either direction. But if you can't catch that one, you'll have to switch at least once at Schiphol Airport or in a city by the name of Amersfoort.

The trick to keeping this train ride affordable is to plan ahead. German rail is especially good at giving deep discounts to tickets booked at least 3 days ahead of time, even better if you book it 2 weeks in advance. Unfortunately if you decide to go the night before, cough cough, you'll find the cost is at least 90 euros each way. Ouch.

Still the windows are big, the ride is lovely, and you can watch as Germany changes to Netherlands as you take the long ride through so many lovely German cities. By the time I arrived back in Amsterdam the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and my tram was right there waiting for me... perfect timing!

Everyone ends up at the Zeedijk area at some point. The neighborhood that is one of the first you run into coming from Central Station. One of the first you end up in when leaving the Red Light district. One of the first places you go for good Asian cuisine. Zeedijk has lots of unique things to offer a visitor.

And this weekend, August 18th and 19th, it will host another edition of a very odd ritual that has become a tradition. Hartjesdagen was and is a huge street performer festival that takes place on the Zeedijk. It is especially known for the singing competition and a drag queen competition that has risen to great fame. To spice things up even more, right on the Nieuwmarkt (New Market Square) there will be a circus!

Apparently no one knows for sure when Hartjesdagen started, but it is believed to go back to the middle ages. Sort of like a mini renaissance festival on the street. Considering the location, it is sure to be a huge mix of tourists and locals, so chances are you may accidently run into the festivities no matter what this weekend.

Certain internet sources were abuzz today here in Amsterdam over the dangers posed by double decker tour buses.

Simple math really: very tall busses with open roofs + tourists taking photos occasionally standing up + tree branches ÷ electric wires for trams = danger.

While I'm sure there's a certain thrill to seeing a town by oversized carbon spewing bus, there are simply too many better ways to see Amsterdam these days. They include: bicycle, boat, foot, and tram. Segway has been banned from the streets so scratch that one of the list. As for bus... well.. why bother?

For your viewing pleasure.

In an earlier post (back several months), another Trippist blogger gave a clue to her (and my) favorite sandwich shop. We meet there occasionally to catch up, and often find out about the other via the nice woman working there who is a real sandwich artist (forget the Subway at Rembrandtplein!).

Do you recall this floating sandwich?

Here a friend of mine is recently introduced to my favourite lunchtime special, the 2.25 euro baba ganouj (sp?) / hummus broodje, with cucumber and tomato on a fresh brown bun!

Located on Rusland in the heart of Amsterdam (next door to the Rusland coffeeshop), this small, nondescript little spot serves some of the most delicious sandwiches for a fraction of the cost of nearby cafes. Granted the seating is cramped, but take your lunch to go and enjoy the canalside view.

Ever up past 2am, & looking for a place to go where everyone knows your name? Don't go to Korsakoff. Probably nobody will know your name. On the other hand, the place will definitely be open, so there's that to say about it!

Korsakoff is THE hard rock bar of Amsterdam (in my admittedly limited experience) and late night spot. There are others, one that reputedly has Scream-o karaoke. I wish, but that was a mythe I busted months ago. Korsykaff is the real deal, and is open late. In fact, don't even go early- it will be empty until past midnight.

The music's loud, the crowd dressed in black, and anything goes. Even better, nobody seems to mind when a group of hipsters show up. This shot of two of my Dutch friends gives a good representation of the atmosphere inside: warped! Find it at Lijnbaansgracht 161, along the canal.

In the coming weeks I shall be doing more and more posts for new arrivals in Amsterdam as late August early September is a time where many students, tourists, and working people arrive in Amsterdam to stay for some amount of time.

Fact- Lots of people arrive in Amsterdam and their first idea for calling home involves getting a prepaid mobile phone and dialing their loved ones.
Fact- This is very expensive. You will eat through minutes faster than you can say "Yes, I saw a drunk guy fall into the canal." And worst of all, many people think that is how it has to be. Which is absolutely not true.

Simple Solution - In this day and age it is very likely you're coming to town with your laptop. Therefore you're bound to get some internet time, either in your hotel, apartment, or one of the neverending list of places in town where you can use wifi. And if you're using the internet than you may as well use the beautiful voice over IP programs out there to make a free or almost free phone call. That's right, Im talking about skype. You've probably used skype or use skype regularly but did you remember that the rates for calling land or mobile numbers in the US is dirt cheap? By dirt I mean .017cents per minute.

.017 cents a minute! Thats 1 hour for about 1 euro that you can talk with aunt Sally or your secret boyfriend back in Chicago. And if you don't like skype for some odd reason, there are plenty of other choices out there... including the open source Gizmo project. Once again, dirt cheap rates and you can call anyone with a phone! And of course if you call someone who's sitting at their computer back home.. well that is free. And FREE is good.

YOu'd think everyone knew this by now. But I must tell you... with every new season I see the same pattern over and over... buying the prepaid mobile to make pricey international calls... only to get very angry at the cost afterwards.

Friends don't let friends make expensive international calls.

This one goes out to the students, regardless of what level or how long you're staying.

Typically you arrive early, as in- before your student aka "Dekey" housing is available in the first days of September. Tradition is that the average student arrives early, stays in a hostel for a few days while trying to get things in order before the official move in. The reasoning behind doing this is solid so the tradition to some extent, makes sense. Still, I'd like to extend 4 tips:

1 - Don't arrive too early. A few days, sure, that gives you some time to handle getting a phone, bike, a map, and generally getting used to the simple things, like how to handle the grocery store. (?) Show up weeks in advance and you may find your money disappearing into thin air. Without a kitchen to cook for yourself or an apartment to live in, you'll be paying quite alot for all those early days you arrive. To make matters worse you may find alot of stuff still moving slowly as it is still vacation for alot of people around town.

2 - Don't buy books. Even on the first day of classes you shouldn't buy books. They're expensive and surprisingly, you often don't need them. There could be a reader or a book at the library that will do the trick, and you won't know that if you go buying books early in the game. Plus even after the first day, you may decide not to stay in the course, so go easy on the book buying.

3 - This is for before you arrive when you pack. If there's something you think you won't need but you're bringing anyway - STOP. Shed the extra stuff and the excessive baggage. You don't want to get the excessive-weight baggage charge, and equally annoying is navigating a new city with way too many bags dragging behind you. Most clothes and odds and ends that you'll need as the year goes on you can buy right here for relatively cheap. Sweaters, for example, take up lots of room, as do towels, leave them home and pick some up here.. the local economy thanks you!

4 - Do what you can to never take a cab in Amsterdam. It is expensive, drivers can sometimes be irritable if you're not going "far enough" for their taste. But most importantly, again, it is very expensive so if you must do it... be prepared to fork over the cash.

4 is enough for today. There's still alot more to talk about including bikes... a topic close to my heart.

The next chapter in the welcome to Amsterdam survival tips that I hope you find useful: computers.

We all bring them. Some of us are so crazy we bring two. But regardless, we've got them, we use them, and yes... some might say we abuse them. Therefore, there will be times where help is needed, a place.. where you can go and ask for help.. or just buy a network cable.

Thankfully Amsterdam, and the Netherlands in general, is a great place to buy electronics. Great and cheap.

The essential names you should know for buying computer related things and, should it be necessary, ask about repair service, are Paradigit, Mycom and PCL Computers. The first two being chains that you can find in various locations, including east, south or west Amsterdam. In each of these cases these shops have huge selections of things like external USB hard drives for storing all that extra data you aquire while you're here. And since they're usually located right next to each other, prices are pretty comparable and reasonable for what you get. Another useful item.. if you're here for more than a semester, is a nice flat panel display. Getting one of those will make things nicer for your eyes, and you can easily sell them before you leave on the Dutch Ebay or Craigs List, or a good old fashioned note pinned on the university bulletin board... every uni building has one.

For we Mac users, the options are - as usual - fewer, but at the very least Amsterdam has two well located Apple Stores (or affiliates). One is ideally located just a few steps away from Central Station, while the other isn't far from Anne Frank's house, in the Jordaan. Unfortanately neither of these shops treats their customers as good as they usually do in the US and service will often be slower and ruder than you expect. I blame the combination of mac snob and Dutch culture... dangerous results. But some days you'll go in with a problem and come out happy as pie.

Ideally of course, there will be no problems, you'll remember to bring a power adapter, and your computer will work like a charm throughout your time in the Netherlands.

Forget bright yellow clog slippers. Forget clear rolling papers or even a waxed chunk of Edam. What your loved ones back home really want from your Amsterdam vacation is a chocolate penis and/or chocolate breasts! Show them you care by attempting to return home with one of these intact and unmelted. Available in dark, milk and white chocolate blends, these edible sculptures are available at the Albert Cuypstraat market in De Pijp. What else says "Amsterdam" like this?

UITMARKT CULTURAL FESTIVAL
The festival, which is considered the opening of the cultural season, takes place in the Eastern Harbour Area this year. Performances will be held in various locations including: Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, Bimhuis, Fifteen, Pakhuis de Zwijger, Pakhuis Wilhelmina, Panama, Lloyd Hotel, Koffiehuis KHL and the Theaterfabriek. From pop to opera and all performances are free.
More information on the Uitmarkt website (Dutch). English program information can be found on Amsterdam Weekly.
August 24, 25 & 26

Photo: Maurice Boyer

The good people at the Rijksmuseum know about trippist, and as a result extended an invite to their friday evening picnic's. Yes, every friday evening starting at 6pm sharp people are invited to put out their blankets and enjoy some food and zen atmosphere in the museum garden.

After a long day of construction work at the squat, I got myself cleaned up and headed on over. My lovely date cancelled, but I figured its Amsterdam and a picnic so I'm sure to make new friends anyway.

Upon my arrival I was greeted by the bartender, who also sold a big box of picnic food. As I scanned the garden, there were couples everywhere sharing food from many of these big picnic boxes. It was dinner time and I was already hoping that somehow I too could have a box of goodness.

My new friend Claudia at the info desk, also Portuguese like myself (yes, Portuguese New Jersean), gave me a warm welcome, info about ongoing exhibits, and -halelujah- complimentary food tickets. Just what the doctor ordered I headed back to the bartender and got myself a big slice of quiche and some other assorted snacks. Being on my own, I decided to sit down and share the goods with a pleasant Czech couple who had stumbled upon the picnic.

Pleasant chit-chat followed as the picnicers began packing up. While it's true they don't stay very late at friday picnics, they certainly do show up in large numbers. The event itself has the distinct flavor of simplicity. Sit down, enjoy some food/drink, soak in the garden air, watch some old documentary films from the 1880's, and yes.. why not go into the museum... it is only the most important museum in Amsterdam!

Last bit of important info, picnics will continue for the rest of the summer.. including in September. Which means, there's plenty of time for anyone to head over, Friday evenings at 6. Bring your appetite.. and maybe a blanket. Art optional.

While perusing the markets of Amsterdam, particularly Albert Cuyp in de Pijp, hungry tourists and locals alike might be tempted by the array of mixed nuts, all salted, roasted, and so attractively presented. The smell itself will draw you in, mouth watering, to take a big 'ol bag and start munching as you continue shopping. But heed this warning, on behalf of an Amsterdam expert and Trippist blogger: Not once, not twice but three times I was enticed, seduced by the nuts. And every time what did I pull from my mouth but strands of hair and other unidentifiable bits! I am a big supporting of markets and love the local flavour, but this is too much. The bins remain uncovered all day 6 days a week, and a lot of matter seems to find its way in.

Avoid the nuts and look to my next blogs for better consumption suggestions during your visit.

Here on trippist we do quite alot of "upcoming event" notification... which makes sense since our goal is to help you rock out. If rocking out sounds like your thing.

Today I shall do a post party report, both because I attended Uitmarkt and because - its nice to have a post-rock-out-report sometimes as well.

Everyone was buzzing about Uitmarkt over the weekend, the big annual late-august outdoor festival. This year the 14+ stages were set up around Javaeiland and the new Oost docks area where all the shiny new buildings are, not to mention the cruise ship terminal and the Bimhuis. Which is exactly where I started, the bimhuis. And just to make my entrance a little more pleasant, my ladies and I took the boat and parked right at the site.

Uitmarkt is crazy popular, so of course we ran into huge crowds, long lines, and well.. people everywhere. Trouble is, as this event is extremely popular, it is also extremely commercial - and that means food and drink at outrageous prices. Problem solved - we brought our own. And of course, with some 15 stages of live music, you can imagine that some of it can really suck. Problem solved- we went to a friend's party taking place in an apartment overlooking the festival where we could either watch or sit inside and listen to our own DJ. More food and drinks there of course - bonus.

The festival lasts for about 2.5 days, but after .75 days it is all pretty much a blur of noise and walking from stage to stage. In our case, floating from stage to stage made things a little more memorable, even if there was some boat traffic.

In a previous year, I swear I remember Michael Franti and Spearhead playing Uitmarkt. Either that or I made that up in my head. either way, these days the festival doesn't attract many international big names. Maybe that's good.. makes room for the smaller names. Oh wait.. there was that famous Spanish opera singer.. Montserrat... so there's a nice international name.

All in all.. Uitmarkt is always a good time; Amsterdam's way of marking the end of the summer with one big hoorah. This year it not only provided a last hoorah, it has also marked the beginning of what might be our indian summer.. another bonus.

You look at Wagamama and its big, noisy, and busy... so some part of you has to be thinking "this can't be that great." Yet surprisingly, Wagamama can be a diamond in the rough.

On a recent date my lady friend and I found ourselves hungry, near Leidseplein, and with time to kill before the concert would begin. After running down the short list of places to eat, she asked if I wanted noodles, and when I said yes, she said - let's go to Wagamama. Now I've been there a handful of times, and have been pleasantly surprised on occasion... so I agreed to go. And indeed, it was perfectly fine.

No it is not authetic asian cuisine. Yes it still feels like a shopping mall in there. BUT - if you like noodles or what we like to call "asian fusion", then Wagamama provides a tasty meal and pretty dam fast if you're in a hurry. Vegeterians will see their options labelled very clearly with a red star... the list isn't endless, but it is enough to keep life interesting or at least.. your stomach entertained.

Price-wise you could easily do worse.. which means that no matter how you slice it, Wagamama isn't as bad as you might think at first glance. As for my date -- fantastic.

Probably the best thing to eat in Amsterdam, and indeed in the Netherlands, is a little delicacy called Stroopwafel. Small, round and sweet, a stroopwafel rivals a warm nutella crepe or thick Belgian waffel for best western European street snack (in my book). If you have the time to reach the AlbertCuypstraat market, you will find, just in front of the Trippist-acclaimed Bazaar restaurant (look for the golden angel along the rooftops), a middle-aged and friendly man selling warm, giant-sized stroopwafels. The hot version, in traditional round and special heart shape for you lovers, will melt in your mouth.

If you are unable to make it (on any day except Sunday), general opinion holds that the supermarket brand name of Albert Heijn is second best, and first when it comes to the pre-packaged versions.

The new students have arrived in Amsterdam! As I type this I can hear the tippy-tap of their footsteps in front of my neighbor's house which is actually a sorority house. (go figure!)

The mix of recent arrivals and good weather prompted the new group I was guiding to ask about the beach. Isn't there one nearby? What is it like? Worth a trip?

The good news for them, and perhaps you, is that if you're in Amsterdam you're not far from the beach at all. And while you could hop on a train that will get you to a perfectly respectable beach named Zandvoort, in about 20 minutes... I wanted to recommend another option.

Instead of taking a train to that particular beach, go out the opposite side of central station to where the ferries arrive and depart. All the way down past the blue and white GVB ferries, there are flags marking the stop for the super-fast ferry that goes to the beach! When I say superfast ferry, you really do have to see it. Kind of reminds me of a hydrofoil, but it isn't one. It simply starts off calmly and slowly, and makes a sound like a small jet preparing for takeoff, rises up out of the water and voooosh, tears through the inner habor in the direction of the ocean. The few times I've been boating as this thing passes at full speed, I've had quite a scare.

The stop of interest for beach goers is Velsen-Zuid, a quaint seaside town with a good sized beach. Get out here, walk around snapping some photos, and indeed, enjoy the beach if the weather allows. Afterwards hop back on the green bullet-ferry and in the blink of an eye, you'll be back in Amsterdam. At about 8 and a half euros for a round trip ticket, it is one of the best beach deals around.

Oh and hurry.. September is just about here and warm sunny days must be taken advantage of.