Smoke 'Em While You Got 'Em

A few blog posts back, I wrote about my thoughts on smoking while I was in Amsterdam. I expressed my apathy regarding if I smoked or didn't smoke while visiting.

Well, of course...I smoked. Some kind of hash joint mixed with weed. It was nice. I had just finished having about 4 or 5 Heinekens on top of two shots of fruit infused Jenever - a traditional Dutch liquor that is similar to gin, but tastes more like vodka to me. I was feeling pretty, pretty good. Truth be told, I'm glad I did it. As I walked around the Red Light District with my happy buzz, I felt like I had really completed the whole Amsterdam experience.

Now, I am very glad I did it, as it seems that there will be a ban on tourists being able to smoke starting January 2013. Or at least there will try to be...there is still a final appeal to be made to the supreme court, so I have read.

Netherlands Bans Pot For Foreigners

A quick Google search turns up many, many articles discussing the enforcement of a new law banning everyone but Dutch residents from access to coffee shops. The locals would be issued a "pass" that lets them into the shops, and everyone else would be turned away. This ban has already started in areas south of Amsterdam, where apparently there has been a lot of drug related crime. The rest of the country has until January before the law would take full effect.

This was a topic of discussion on my trip. The locals we talked to didn't seem too worried. They told us that this has been attempted before - and it never works out. They seem to think it would be something that would not really be enforced, if passed - at least not in Amsterdam.

It seems ridiculous to me. I can only imagine how much revenue Amsterdam makes from tourists visiting just coffee shops alone. To take that revenue away seems like a foolish idea, seeing as their economy is not doing too well as it is. Also, I really don't see this ban stopping anyone who really wants to smoke from smoking. It simply makes the Dutch resident a middle man. I don't think it is going to drastically reduce any crime, either.

I guess all there is to do is wait and see how this all pans out...but I am definitely glad I chose to smoke while I was there.

Keukenhof - Most Beautiful Spring Gardens in the World

 I was in the right place at the right time for a couple of pretty rare things on my trip to Europe. Being able to experience the breath-taking Keukenhof Gardens in Holland was one of those rare things. It is only open from March 22 - May 20.

Keukenhof, located just south west of Amsterdam in a town named Lisse, is considered the world's largest flower garden. These meticulously maintained beautiful, sweeping gardens are situated on 15th century hunting grounds. The actual grounds of Castle Keukenhof are open all year round. 

The drive from Amsterdam to Keukenhof alone was already gorgeous enough to boast about. Field after field of tulips on both sides of the road. All perfectly lined up rows in all different colors - like giant rectangular rainbows. Perfectly stunning views at every turn. This was what I had hoped for. This was what I had dreamed it would be. Upon arriving and passing through the entrance to the grounds was a small pool of water, in the middle of the pool stood a tall and very interesting fountain - it looked like a dandelion that is ready to be wished upon. A bit away from that, I could hear what I can only describe as the "old-timey" sounds of a strange mechanical...music machine.

As you can see in the video I took, the little figures all move in time, tapping their batons to their bells. Kinda creepy. Definitely cool. I stood under it's strange spell for probably longer than I should have before I finally snapped out of it and began  to explore this floral fantasy land sprawling out before me in every direction.

I have never seen so many flowers in my life, and I have never seen more artistically arranged and unique displays of flowers in my life. I felt like Dorothy entering the land of Oz - the colors were so vibrant. Everything was so lush. I was lost in a gorgeous labyrinth of blooming pathways. Every different path leading to more and more beauty, meandering endlessly, introducing me to every flower known to man...or at least it seemed that way. At one point, I reached a pond filled with swans. The view from where I stood was just lovely. Overlooking rows of hot pink and pale pink tulips, emerald green grass that I'm sure rivals the greenest grasses of Ireland, perfect path ways winding along, scattered with trees standing guard here and there..and swans swimming gracefully by...such a vision.

After hours exploring Keukenhof, I was beyond tired. After all, I had been up well over 24 hours by this point. After checking in at the hotel at 6am, naturally the room wasn't going to be ready until afternoon...so the morning had been spent wandering the streets of Amsterdam, and then taking the train, followed by the Kekenhof shuttle to the gardens. I still can not believe how lucky I was to have been in Holland at the perfect time. I had not even heard of this place until right before my trip. And though I knew I wanted to see tulip fields, I certainly did not not know I would be fortunate enough to be around during the relatively small window of time the world famous Keukenhof  gardens would be open! I'm a pretty lucky gal....

Like So Many Before Me...

I may be a little late to the party here, but I just saw the J'Adore commercial with Charlize Theron - the one that was shot at Versailles. It got me thinking about a few things...

1. I love getting that "I've been there!!" feeling you get when you watch things like this - commercials or movies or TV shows that highlight a famous place you have been. It makes you feel like you are in some special exclusive club, and in a way, you are. There is also that feeling of awe you get when reflecting about how many others have been there before you; famous/rich/historical/influential and otherwise. Wandering the very same halls and rooms, feeling the grandeur, the wonder, the extravagance of it all. Exploring the very same grounds you have tread. And so many people after you will experience the very same thing. It's an inspiring feeling. If those walls could talk - the stories they could tell!

2. How expensive must it have been to rent out Versailles for that commercial? I can not even fathom it.

3. Upon first watching the video I noticed the model that played Marilyn Monroe was spot on. I mean, really, really spot on. I have never seen a Marilyn look-a-like that was closer to looking like her. It was almost alarming. I had to back up a few times just out of sheer amazement. Everything right down to her body language was just uncanny. This of course, was because it was not a model playing Marilyn Monroe. It WAS in fact Marilyn Monroe, flawlessly added into the commercial à la CGI, along with Marlene Dietrich and Grace Kelly! You gotta love technology. Amazing.

4. I have decided I am ready to go back to France again! ;)

Naturally I have to add a picture of myself in the very place the J'Adore commercial was filmed.

Versailles. There I am. Standing there in the Hall of Mirrors - like so many before me. Not quite ready to strut down the runway for Dior...but, I am there. An experience I will not soon forget, that's for sure.