Currently writing from a “coffee shop” in Amsterdam – this is a bit of a misnomer, as the coffee sold here is, while brown and slightly caffeinated, not particularly coffeeish. However, no one is particularly concerned, because what these places actually specialize in is a boutique distribution of marijuana.
It’s an interesting situation, because as far as I can tell, everyone who’s a customer at one of these coffeehouses is about as far removed from illegal activity as one could even conceive of. One needs to visit such a fine establishment only once to confirm that marijuana as a source of societal ills or evils is an absolutely absurd notion – in fact, mandatory THC consumption would probably be a good idea for a large number of ailments – stress, violence, or a bad case of being the Man. People here are, for the most part, wrapped docilely in a literal and metaphorical haze.
I sampled the “Space Cake” last night, and experienced an interesting and hitherto unknown phenomenon known as Couchlock. This consists of feeling really, really good while sitting in the same place.
I am, however, doing some self-exploration at the same time. After about my first day high, I realized that I’m not really cut out to be a chronic (puunnnnn) smoker. Being high is alright once in a while, but it literally just makes you want to stop thinking so hard. Maybe it’s symptomatic of my own anxiety issues, but I get anxious about the lack of anxiety – I don’t like being that stupid. I’m certain it’s at least in large part a result of upbringing in a consumerist and market oriented world, but I begin to wonder what part my own existentialism enters in to the equation. I’m not particularly content to wander through the world unawares, and given my distinct distrust in the existence of an afterlife, I would like to be putting this time to as much use as possible. I’m all about drugs that speed you up or enhance the sensory experience, but the daily marijuana smokers… like, really? Is actual life that shitty?
One thing I have noticed is that while the patrons of these coffeeshops are pretty relaxed, the owners seem to be in a perpetual state of irritation. Perhaps it’s having to deal with stoned ass english kids, day in and day out, but one would think that the expectation of dealing with high people would come with opening a store that sells marijuana. I have, so far, been asked to leave two of them, and this time I really haven’t even done anything wrong! We met some people at our hostel this morning, 11ish, that wanted to roll out to a coffeeshop. We were just getting started on our day, and having no firm obligations, I thought that seemed pretty okay. Enter coffeeshop – my traveling partner buys a coffee, our two friends buy drinks and bud. We sit down, and the owner comes over to get on my case approximately SIX nanoseconds later, to ask if I’d like something to drink. “No thanks,” I reply, “I’m not smoking or anything, I’m just hanging out with these guys.”
*Cue fusillade of angry english sputterings*, the gist of which was that he couldn’t see any reason for me to be in his shop if I wasn’t buying a drink. I pointed out that the other people I was with had all bought pretty significantly, and he told me that was reason enough for them to stay, but not for me. He then, in what undoubtedly seemed a cunningly arranged business ploy, told me that if I didn’t buy something, I would have to leave.
I’m not particularly wild about spending a lot of time in a permabaked state anyway, so I packed up my shit and left. Sorry for chilling in a place where people come to get high, asshole. Honestly, you offer a fairly unremarkable location similar to hundreds of other similar ones. You offer two commodities, weed and shitty coffee, which can be had at almost any other place in the city. Remind me again why I want to put up with your bullshit?
On another note, I met a German girl who rocked my world. Totally down to earth, smart, cool. She was also older, so maybe what I’m finding to be appealing european traits are actually just appealing mature traits. Who knows. Currently traveling with some girls of questionable morality from Switzerland/Montreal, both notorious dens of sinnery.
