To say 4/20 is to elicit numerous references to appear in ones mind.... It's a day us lovers of the herb hold in very high esteem. I remember years ago sitting with my friends eagerly watching the clock tick closer to 4:20 when we'd spark up that bowl... Or those rare occations I saw the 4:20 AM blink on my clock and a sly smile would appear on my lips... wherever we go there are little references and hints... I giggle at store items priced at $4.20 and so forth.
So to say 4/20 is important is an understatement. This year however was special for a number of reasons... first of all I was in the heart of weed country, the Netherlands!! Now the phenomenon is not widely known over in Europe I would come to find out.... mostly because of their ways of listing dates... 4/20 would really be 20/4 which isn't nearly as cool in my opinion.... but enough of this garbage lets get to my 4/20!! Ever since moving here I've been listening to a cannabis related podcast known as The Dopecast from the Dopefiend network http://dopefiend.co.uk. Now this guy knows his weed! Its a great podcast with lots of listeners, music and proper weedy things....When I had heard they were coming to Amsterdam on 4/20 for their infamous "DOPESTOCK in AMSTERDAM" annual smoke out I just had to go!... My good friend Noah, another American expat living in Leiden and enjoying the buds was really keen to come up with me.... probably because he had gone last year :D...
So to say 4/20 is important is an understatement. This year however was special for a number of reasons... first of all I was in the heart of weed country, the Netherlands!! Now the phenomenon is not widely known over in Europe I would come to find out.... mostly because of their ways of listing dates... 4/20 would really be 20/4 which isn't nearly as cool in my opinion.... but enough of this garbage lets get to my 4/20!! Ever since moving here I've been listening to a cannabis related podcast known as The Dopecast from the Dopefiend network http://dopefiend.co.uk. Now this guy knows his weed! Its a great podcast with lots of listeners, music and proper weedy things....When I had heard they were coming to Amsterdam on 4/20 for their infamous "DOPESTOCK in AMSTERDAM" annual smoke out I just had to go!... My good friend Noah, another American expat living in Leiden and enjoying the buds was really keen to come up with me.... probably because he had gone last year :D...
So it Tuesday morning April 20th and I'm awake super early in the morning. I had gone to the grocery store the day before to stock up on snacks and food... from earlier experiences I knew that a lot of my money would go towards over expensive foods to cure the ever persistent munchies that would come after my stony sessions.... This time I made sandwiches, bought candy, nuts, apples, and a huge drink to satisfy my appetite for the day...
We caught the train at 11:30 into Amsterdam... about a 35-40 minute ride on a relatively nice day... it was a bit cold and windy, but the sun was out and we were happy!... Arriving around noon we headed out into the city looking for a proper place to stock up on some supplies....
We headed down the west of the city avoiding the Centrum with it's tacky tourist shops and overpriced bud... Only to end up at the Grey Area... A wonderful coffeeshop owned by some American guys.. They had some really lovely weed as well. I bought the Grey Haze and Noah bought another haze.... I can't remember (too much smoking eh?) and we rolled up a nice J or two
By then it's around 1pm and we decide to head over to the Cannabis College to join the festivities! As we're walking East towards the centrum we run into another American looking for Dopestock... a forum member named SaintVitus... and walked on down through the Redlight District towards the shop....
As we walk in there is a big table in the front with a bunch of happy looking tokers :) What a day! We introduced ourselves and started the festivities... I couldn't tell you how many different joints, iolites, vape bags that kept passing by me here and there.... I had a great time playing Son of Gonzo's guitar and jammin' with him on my harmonica... listening to the banter and great conversations going on what a great day....
at 4:20 we had 3 giant 10 meter vape bags being passed around the room!! awesome....
Afterwards We headed over to start the Coffeeshop crawl... our First stop was the Greenplace where I picked up some lovely hash and the infamous Headband (dopestock cup winner this year) we hung out for a bit in the trippy room then headed out to Barney's Lounge... Another great shop.... Next we headed over to the Dampkring... I didn't pick up any more green, but just hung out.... We then ended our Crawl at the Dolphins and their crazy decorations...
After numerous joints, bowls, etc i was quite hazy to say the least.... Then they announce the Joint Rolling Competition! I decide in my infinite wisdom to roll a crazy 3 pronged joint... even though I'd never done it before!.... and low and behold It won me 2nd place!! I probably could have done it better... but hell for a first attempt?
We headed back to leiden with lighter wallets and happier heads and hearts... A proper celebration of a Stoner's holiday
By then it's around 1pm and we decide to head over to the Cannabis College to join the festivities! As we're walking East towards the centrum we run into another American looking for Dopestock... a forum member named SaintVitus... and walked on down through the Redlight District towards the shop....
As we walk in there is a big table in the front with a bunch of happy looking tokers :) What a day! We introduced ourselves and started the festivities... I couldn't tell you how many different joints, iolites, vape bags that kept passing by me here and there.... I had a great time playing Son of Gonzo's guitar and jammin' with him on my harmonica... listening to the banter and great conversations going on what a great day....
at 4:20 we had 3 giant 10 meter vape bags being passed around the room!! awesome....
Afterwards We headed over to start the Coffeeshop crawl... our First stop was the Greenplace where I picked up some lovely hash and the infamous Headband (dopestock cup winner this year) we hung out for a bit in the trippy room then headed out to Barney's Lounge... Another great shop.... Next we headed over to the Dampkring... I didn't pick up any more green, but just hung out.... We then ended our Crawl at the Dolphins and their crazy decorations...
After numerous joints, bowls, etc i was quite hazy to say the least.... Then they announce the Joint Rolling Competition! I decide in my infinite wisdom to roll a crazy 3 pronged joint... even though I'd never done it before!.... and low and behold It won me 2nd place!! I probably could have done it better... but hell for a first attempt?
We headed back to leiden with lighter wallets and happier heads and hearts... A proper celebration of a Stoner's holiday
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