Ahhh, back in humid warm weather! Feels great somewhat after the last sojuorn to the nether land where the nether regions feel it the most (upon the advice of a nephew's friend whom I caught many Christmases ago lighting up a "reefer" by the swimming pool before buffet was served, not knowing that in the future, it's now recommended for medical purposes in my battle with these cells run amok). This year around I sheepishly told him my predicament after the looong speeches in my honor.. (damnit gee, I'm still alive!) and he laughed.. I could tell he was enjoying the unease at this twist of fate and told me since he became a chef, he now cooks for clients with the "munchies" often and would introduce me. No! I said, it would be embarrassing for me- a known party pooper and a grumpy old curmudgeon at that... and he suggested that I should visit instead this coffee shop since i would be in Europe for the new year. It was that- or go to the rocky mountains high where it is now legal for recreation as well as medical.. He reminded me (of all people ) in manila it's illegal and involves shady characters who swear that the flue curing barns are for ilocos tobacco only (in my opinion tobacco should be illegal). He recommended some DVDs for me to check out in preparation. I guess Cheech and Chong is passe now, apparently replaced by some delinquents called Harold and Kumar. I found the humor juvenile, but it explained a lot about my nephew and his friend's behavior. Armed with my newfound insights, off I went with a two night gap in my europe itenerary for Amsterdam.
Upon arriving, the city of Amsterdam seemed like a step into an old familiar world with a new perspective. The bustling city modern with an old word charm built upon bones of countless Herring, with quaint windmills that pump water out of the lower than sea level city continuously, houseboats docked along the canals along with floating docks and buildings. At the center are craft shops, the redlight district and the Grasshopper amongst the other so called coffee shops. Aha! This is it! I was greeted warmly, seated at a table and given a menu. I ordered a brewed coffee, a slice of cheesecake and browsed through the list of what they had to offer. Names like bubblegum, purple haze, artic frost, indigo red, etc... I spotted one curiously labeled called Awan datung, a sativa hybrid from Asia according to the young lady. Hmmmm. Sounds suspiciously familiar, and asked If it was available and could be prepared in a scone instead, as I quit smoking 20 odd years ago. She was happy to oblige and disappeared into the kitchen. Looking around I could'nt help but anthropologize the crowd that patronize this place. A young couple very much in love to my right speaking french, a British hooligan type in a italian fussball jersey looking subdued holding a cigar sized "blunt" joking with a Greek quaffing dortmunder, A middle aged group of artist types and a few solo aside from me reading books, twiddling with their devices, eating ice cream... then the proprietor appeared with a pretty box of freshly baked scones. I finished my cup, paid in cash (I certainly don't want that appearing on my credit card) and headed back to the hotel twenty seven Rizal's past the mermaid to the left. Hmmm.. the scones had a delicate flavour that conveys the feeling of the color green. I knew it was taking effect. Light and pleasant and rather relaxing. I decide to forego my pain medication as I feel fine. In fact I feel GREAT! No clouded mind and nausea as compared to these painkillers I found myself depending on since my diagnosis and no radioactive bombardment of rebel cells, destroying the body abiding cells at the same time. It is never too late to grow my hair long or rather what's left of it. I had several epiphanies on this journey. The medicine men and shamans knew all this before it became science after all, I thought. Like the time I tried betel nut in my younger adventure years and literally climbed the mountain.
Ok. So I now find myself on the other side. I remember being chided by my nephew on the onset and he really had a good time laughing his way to kingdom come with my stories of my adventure on the phone, saying he really never expected me to turn out so cool, albeit a late Bloomer! I apologized for being so hard on him and for confiscating contraband countless times since he was a teenager, the last time which I flushed down the toilet which ended up clogging the Villa's drainage which cost me thousands of dollars in repairs to tear up the entire septic system! I should've kept it for myself in hindsight, he said. Therefore the title of this post. Amsterdammit!!!
