The long-awaited day has finally arrived. As of today, 1 July 2008, The Netherlands is officially smoke-free! At last, a night out on the town does not mean coming home saturated in cigarette smoke, coughing from the constant exposure to puffing patrons. A meal at a nice restaurant will no longer be accompanied by wafting smoke, and coffee with a friend won’t merit washing one’s hair just to remove the stink.

What a thrill. After doing some research, I’ve discovered that the smoking ban does affect coffee shops where marijuana is sold. Owners of these shops are rightly concerned about their sales. But it seems that the smoking ban applies only to tobacco and not to marijuana.

What does this mean? Here’s a guess: Tourists (and locals) will continue to visit coffee shops, but will refrain from mixing their joints with tobacco, as pure joints remain within the confines of the law. However, this may lead to an even bigger problem of overly stoned individuals roaming the streets.

Or maybe everyone will just ignore the ban. Time will tell!

Sometimes in the Netherlands you see the most cutting edge, futuristic, bizarro ideas become reality. So I wonder if anyone flinched when they read in the newspapers over the weekend, that the police department expects to have its first flying police cars within the next 5 years.

Flying police cars, well, its not quite a car. It is more like a little one person smart car with a propeller that can unfold and take the little car up into the sky. The idea is that with all the traffic problems on Dutch highways, police have to be able to get around more quickly and the use of helicopters is too expensive and limited as to where they can land. More commonly referred to as a gyrocopter, the first prototype will be tested in two years and the police expect to be using the first commercial version by 2012.

No where in the article do they talk about using these things in cities. Considering all the tram lines, I doubt the flying police could get far anyway.

If you spend enough time wandering around Dutch cities, especially in the historic centers, you might never notice a full-on shopping mall. Sure you'll find shopping streets, districts, markets... but this very familiar American style shopping mall, they're not all that common in my experience.

One place I know they have a big one is Rotterdam. So let's say you find yourself in Rotterdam, it's raining, and you happen to be longing for that shopping mall feeling - one place you could go is the Alexandrium Shopping Center.

Accessible via train, metro, car or bike, the Alexandrium boasts 474,000 square feet of every kind of shop you can think of, as well as food and drink places. Unlike American malls it is open 6 days per week and sometimes Sunday as well. The café's serve decent food, so even just as a lunch spot one can pop-in at mid-day.

As a visitor in this country, a megastore where you can buy furniture and groceries in bulk is perhaps not of great importance. But perhaps clothes, music, electronics, and specialty shops... you might just be into that. Oh and yes, it is now smoke free.

This weekend the To-Do list focuses on the Over Het Ij festival, a theater festival that takes place in various locations throughout the area of the Ij harbor... also known as the body of water behind Amsterdam Central Station. I've studied the program and scoped out which plays are non-dutch speaking audience friendly.

Saturday & Sunday:

Candyland; a play performaned by 15 children from Amsterdam and 15 children from Almere. A sandstorm hits a town and the only people left are children. The instructions also recommend you bring your pajama. 7pm start time, 2:30pm on Sunday. Location is the Windturbine Cornelis Douwes, a bus departs from the Festival Centre to get there. Price € 12.50 / € 11.50. Children younger than 15, € 8.50

Wild Boys; 3 women join a male rockband called wild boys. On stage they are idols, off stage they are still expected to behave like ladies. The struggle between the role you play in life and the role you'd like to play. Saturday and Sunday, 8pm, at the Pick Up Studio. Price € 12.50 / € 11.50

There may be more non-Dutch language plays in the festival but for this weekend these are the one's I found. Click around the program and see what you can see.

Last week I met a friend at Kantjil & de Tijger, an Indonesian restaurant located at Spuistraat 291-293. I hadn’t been there for a number of years, but fondly recalled the food. We managed to get a spot outside in the sun and watched the busy after work traffic go by.

The restaurant has a special offer for a complete meal with different choices of dishes for 9.25 Euro. The special was good until 18:45, so we quickly ordered and waited in anticipation. The service was prompt but my friend got the wrong dish, so she waited while I ate. Somewhat guiltily I enjoyed my mix of white rice, gado gado and another vegetable dish. However, the food is served in a single bowl, which made me wonder if a special of almost 10 Euro was really worth it.

I’ll be back, but maybe next time I’ll explore the menu a little more first.

There was an incredible event in Leiden this weekend, and I missed it! The annual Culinary Festival ran through this evening, from July 3-6. Some of the best restaurants in Leiden – and believe me, there are plenty – are on display here and offer their prized dishes in special quantities and prices.

There’s also a music program that goes with the festival. Next year, perhaps, bring a healthy appetite and lots of cash. And hope it doesn’t rain, as it did last year and this year. Maybe I am better off waiting for sunny weather in 2009.

Spent the last few days playing Ultimate Frisbee on the beach.. specifically on a beach called Hargen. It is actually a tradition with my frisbee association, every summer we head out to Hargen with 15 or so of the Netherlands' finest beach frisbee teams and play a tournament for two days. The tournament is past of a whole series of sporting events Hargen hosts in the summertime, which includes: kite surfing, volleyball, banana boat, and catamaran.

Nearby the beach is the town of Schoorl, which is tiny, quiet, and beautiful. Very near to the beach yet with lots of lush Dutch farmland and unforgettable views. I also notice frequent signs in the front windows of some houses "guest house for rent" and phrases like that in various languages. Schoorl itself also boasts a few fine restaurants and cafés, and alot of quaint nature walks and bike paths (of course).

If you're trying to get to Hargen, start by heading to Bergen, as that is the municipality it belongs to. Both places are worth your time, especially if its Dutch beach fun in the summertime that you seek.

I met some friends for drinks and discussion (OK, I’ll admit it, I’m in a book club) earlier this week. We’d been gathering at De Bijlen in Leiden since the weather got nicer, as it has a great outdoor terrace and lots of entertaining scenery. But this week has been miserable, and I groaned as I realized we’d have to sit inside…in the smoke.

See, in the old days, De Bijlen had a “non-smoking room,” located in the back of the bar in a place that appeared to double as some type of storage room. To get there one had to walk through the clouds of smoke, thus defeating the purpose.

But now! The air was clean, and I had to keep reminding myself I was actually out and about, and not in someone’s living room. It’s amazing how much the smoke contributed to the bar atmosphere. But I won’t miss it.

You won't believe some of the acts in town this weekend, and in some cases, you may not want to believe.

Friday:

Dinosaur Jr!! Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 9pm, €17 + membership.

Lamar Chase Band; Maloe Melo, 10pm, €5.

Pop-sort-of-garage band The Polaroids; Skek, 9:30pm, free.

Saturday:

I don't care what the ticket costs, thou shalt not miss Leonard Cohen; Westergasfabriek, 7:30pm, €59.

Three giants, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, and Ravi Coltrane are the Sax Summit; Bimhuis, 9pm, €26.

Ted Nugent; Melkweg, The Max, 9pm, €37.50 + membership.

Sunday:

Get ready... I hope you're sitting down... Wu-Tang Clan; Melkweg, The Max, 9pm, €37.50 + membership.

Lesser known hiphop from James Pants, OCCII, 9pm, €6.

A friend and I recently tried Sake & CO, right off the Nieuwmarkt at Zeedijk 134. Upon arrival it looked cool and hip and all that good stuff. We perused the drink menu and asked about specials. Cocktails were six euros, and we couldn’t resist trying the Sake’politan (usually 7.50). Despite its somewhat awkward name, it was a nice treat. We even got a little cup of crunchy treats to nibble on.

The music was a bit strange, but the furniture is incredible cool. The picture doesn’t do it justice – you’ll have to go there and see the colorful patterns for yourself. They played a Victoria’s Secret runway show on the big screen in back, in case interior decoration isn’t your thing.

I definitely recommend checking it out, but be sure to go between the very generous cocktail hour(s) of 6 and 9pm.

Another festival in Leiden, and this time I manage to post one day in advance! This time it’s the 27th annual Werfpop, and it takes place tomorrow (Sunday, July 13) in Leiden. The weather has been crap for more than a week but I hear it’s supposed to improve. Here’s the lineup, from the website:

13:30 Left In The Middle (winnaar Werfpop-voorronde) - Trashy Rock-‘n-roll
14:00 Junior Eats Alone – Gitaarpop
14:30 Hospital Bombers – Stadium Folk
15:00 Enge Buren – Muzikaal Cabaret
16:00 Electric Eel Shock (JAP) -Een mix van Classic Rock, Punk en Metal
17:00 NOISIA – Drum & Bass
18:00 HateSphere - Trash Metal
19:00 Sticks & Rico – Nederlandstalige hiphop
20:00 Heavy Trash ft. Jon Spencer en Matt Verta-Ray – Rockabilly, Rock en Punk
21:00 Claw Boys Claw – Indie-Rock
22:00 Kraak & Smaak – Electro Funk

Organizers expect 15,0000 people to show up to this FREE festival. It’s located at the Leidse Hout and directions can be found here.

Passing on a warning and a tip from the European Union, that most certainly applies for the Netherlands; don't believe any sunscreen that says it offers TOTAL protection from UV radiation.

The EU Commission recently warned that some brands were making these claims which are, in fact, not possible. They recommend avoiding this label, and that 15-25 should be enough for a person with "normal skin." Apparently they will also be rolling out their own label of approval for certain sun tan lotions.

One thing Ive learned over time in the Netherlands, we may be north and it may often be grey skies, but when it is sunny, that sun burns fast. My SPF 15 is always within reach, and Im a pretty fair skinned dude. So when you're out there this summer, don't forget to have your own ready and applied. But total protection from UV radiation, don't believe that one.

I'm making my parade plans for this summer. Parade is the annual festival of theater, music, and arts in general, that comes to various Dutch cities throughout the summer. The remaining dates and cities this year are as follows:

Utrecht until the 27th of July
Amsterdam from the 1st to the 17th of August.

I've decided to start my parade adventures in Utrecht this year. Looking down the list of performances and plays, it looks well worth the price of admission (most shows priced around 6 euro). Thankfully there are even a few free performances built into the program.

Beyond watching the shows, the food at parade is also legendary. Among the 13 restaurants to choose from, I've read the New Orleans-Cajun cuisine is being cooked up this year. I'll be looking for that and maybe even score some vegetarian gumbo. (there's always a chance)

One last note, parade is a great place to bring children, so if you've got the little ones, don't be afraid.

Need a haircut? I think it’s time I share my secret with you: the best in the business is in Amsterdam. My hair guru for the past five years is Helmer, who owns Helmer & Friends with his wife. This guy is amazing. Getting a haircut can be a terrifying experience, but with Helmer it’s delightful. I still make the trip to Amsterdam just to see him every few months.

Helmer & Friends is located at Prinsengracht 748. That’s right, not only will you get a fabulous haircut, but you’ll also get to gaze at the canals in the process.

Well sometimes the list of options is strange. And other times it is REALLY strange. Here's one for ya:

Saturday:

The B52's. Seriously. They're here and you can go see them. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 7:30pm, €35 + membership.

But I would much rather you went to see my friend Vinicious Canuaria, one of the finest musicians on the planet. Bimhuis, 9pm, €18.

Sunday:

The great Jill Scott; Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 9pm, €32 + membership.

And perhaps some chamber music in the Jordaan, from De Amsterdam Chamber Group; Rozenhofje, 3pm, free.

Another treat on the Zeedijk: Eat Mode. The food is described as fusion/Japanese, and it is definitely worth checking out. I’ve been to this place a number of times and am always happy with the food and the service. It was smoke free long before it had to be, and its clean wooden benches and tidy interior (check out the website for a 360 degree view) are a contrast to the often garbage-filled Zeedijk.

They’ve been around since July 2002. Food is cheap and fast, and the portions are huge. Usually a meal feeds me into the next day. I highly recommend the Japanese style curry with vegetables and white rice. Check it out at Zeedijk 105-107.

The first time I travelled to the Netherlands was in the spring of 2000. I took the train up from France, which gave me plenty of time and an excellent vantage point for studying the BENELUX countryside.

What I remember best about the Dutch countryside, which of course I see all the time now, are the farm houses with the high-tech wind generators. It seemed to me a combination of old fashioned and high-tech.

And then came the egg vending machines. -Though not super high tech, some resourceful farmers have been using vending machines to sell their eggs. Restocking them periodically during the day, you can come by, throw some coins in the slot, and take some fresh eggs home.

So far I've heard of the "Eierenautomaat" or... "Egg Machine" being located in a town called Voorthuizen. There is another located just south of Utrecht in Culemborg. If you can hitch a ride or you've rented a car, then considering how small these towns are, you're likely to find these egg machines. Maybe make yourself an egg sandwich while you're there, and savor the flavor while laughing about those clever Dutch farmers and their ideas.

For all the good people who were disappointed with the weather last week, this weekend you've got your fabulous summer weather and some fabulous summer fun to go with it...

Friday:

For those who want to feel the rhythm of the beach, Los Tiki Boys; Maloe Melo, 10pm, €5.

Reknown Jazz musicians Eugene Chadbourne & Paul Lovens / Michael Moore & Duck Baker; Bimhuis, 21.00, €14

Saturday:

You'll recognize the sound, dark rock from Living in Oblivion; Winston Kingdom, 9pm, €6.

Out door opera! Il Segreto di Susanna; Museum van Loon, 4pm, 7:30pm, €15.

Also this saturday, if you can find the Sporthallen Zuid, you can watch the Amsterdamned Floorball Cup. No idea how the sport works, but it goes from 9am to 6pm and involves many nations.

Sunday:

Mind The Gap means open mic for all you future stars; Studio K, 8pm., free.

Classical music, on a Jordaan afternoon, with Ricciotti; Platanenhof, 3pm, free.

After complaining about missing a recent event, a fellow Leiden expat pointed me to the ultimate events site: The Leidsuitburo. This website gives a day-to-day look at everything that is happening in Leiden, from children’s events to films.

It’s pretty sad to think that a Trippist was not aware of such a gold mine until recently, but no use looking to the past. This site now has a prominent place on my bookmarks toolbar, and I check it the moment I’m feeling the least bit bored. I recommend you do the same, if heading out in Leiden is part of the plan.

Several years ago, one hot summer, the city of Paris launched its Paris-Plage campaign... making a beach on their riverfront. With all the fanfare and pizazz that one would expect of Paris, it became a big hit. It also became a tradition, as far as this traveler is concerned.

Well look-out Paris, Brussels is hot on your heels... maybe.

This year Brussels is doing Brussels Les Bains... the Brussels Beach.. in a big way. Sand, sun (occasionally), and fun are bringing not just city dwellers to the river front, but also out of town-ers. (running now until August 17th, everyday except monday)

Head over to their site for a full list (FR or NL, no english yet) of what is happening, where and when. Brussels should already have been on your to-do list for local trips in the Netherlands neighborhood, but now there is one more reason to really do it this summer... make a long weekend out of it. If the urban beach doesn't do it for you, we'll talk about the Belgian beaches next time. (an no, there is no swimming at Brussels Beach)

The auto rickshaw, or Tuk Tuk, has come to The Netherlands. It’s been spotted in The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Could this be the beginning of the end for Dutch cabs? Tuk Tuks are cheaper, fast, efficient – though still quite cold in the winter.

But now, in the summer, they’re wildly popular. So popular in fact that it’s impossible to reserve online, as is the norm. Next time you see one out and about, jump in. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with the cost, especially if you’re accustomed to taking Dutch taxis.

The Film Museum, Amsterdam's beloved landmark for classic films and filmmaking, is celebrating Cary Grant this summer.

As is likely your case, I too am too young to have seen Cary Grant in his hay-day. Then again you'd have to be quite old at this point. (career lasted from 1932 til 1968) But that is all the more reason to go to the Film Museum and learn about this important actor by viewing some of the 27 films they will be showing from now until the 27th of August. This is your chance to see the man on the big screen alongside such names as Katharine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.

Tickets are 7,80€ and the schedule can be found on their website. Oh and if you're trying to find it on the map, just look in Vondelpark, you can't miss it.

Time flies. The Gay Pride Parade in Amsterdam is usually a sign that August is here and the summer is starting to wind down. But nevermind that, let's focus on the present... and the present=fun.

This Saturday, August 2nd, you will most definitely find me (and 350,000 other participants) perched along the parade route in my tiny boat, watching the big boats float by with all manner of disco-theatrics and house music that, despite its tackiness, is excused on this special day. (parade on the canals starts at 2pm and ends at 6pm)

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Gay Pride Parade in Amsterdam is special, among other reasons, because it is the kind of celebration that everyone seems to participate in and are made to feel welcome to join the fun. Naturally the main point is to stop, kick back, have some laughs, and salute our LGBT community; who help make this city and this country a great place to be.