Tales of a Technogypsie

Begijnhof and Chapel *Zandvoorterweg 78 * 2111 GZ Aerdenhout * Tel. 023-5246229 * Fax. 023-5440081 * info: info@stille-omgang.nl * website: www.stille-omgang.nl Amsterdam, Hollandhttp://www.begijnhofamsterdam.nl/It was here, at the Begijnhof that a few days before Palm Sunday on March 15, 1345 a sick man in the Kalverstraat took the Sacrament of the sick from the local priest. [...]

Part B Trolls et Legendes Friday, 10 April 2009Mons, Belgium Heading down to the Central Station, and getting a little turned around doing it, the adventurers finally found the info booth, and in half-english, half-french was directed round-a-bout to where they needed to find the C bus. Of course, none of the signs listed a [...]

Naheulbeuk Night Trolls et Legendes Festival, Night 1, 4/10/2009 – Lotto Mons Expo Center, Mons, Belgium Le Donjon de Naheulbeuk (France) presented the night with a role-playing parody that began originally as an audio saga. Apparently the group became immensely popular and diversified into a band, a series of comic books, novels, and soon a [...]

Trolls et Legendes – Day 1 Trolls et Legendes Festival 2009 – Day 1 Lotto Mons Expo * Avenue Thomas Edison – 7000 Mons – Belgium * http://www.trolls-et-legendes.be/2009/index-en.htm Day one of the infamous Trolls et Legendes festival at the Mons Expo center … evening only as they were to present some films and concerts from [...]

Part A Hunting for the hostel in Mons Friday, 10 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Mons, Belgium The adventurers had a pretty interesting night partying in Amsterdam with the pub crawl. Awaking early with a hangover was not the best start to the day that Sir Thomas Leaf could have. Onwards to check out from [...]

Part C Ultimate Party Pub Crawl Thursday, 9 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands After an afternoon’s rest, Sir Thomas Leaf and Princess Brea were ready to hit the bars and clubs – partying all night long. They hopped the bus to the meeting place at News Cafe on Korte Leidse dwarsstraat. With some time to spare, [...]

The RoyaltyKorte Leidsedwarsstraat 28-32 * 1017RC Amsterdam * 020-6260128 * http://www.kroegenweb.nl/cafe/10119 The Royale was a pretty spacious club absorbing the humongous crowd that had piled in by this part of the evening with the Ultimate Party Pub Crawl. Courteous and professional staff, good dance floor, decent music, and fun times. Good drink specials as well. [...]

Amsterdamned CafeKorte Leidsedwarsstraat 24a * 1017pp * Amsterdam * 020-4213353 * http://www.kroegenweb.nl/kroegpagina.php?kroegnummer=10141 A great spacious club with a decent sized dance floor, stage, and dance poles. The bar staff was friendly and professional, the rest rooms clean, and good times were had by all. We visited on Thursday April 9th with the Ultimate Party’s Pub [...]

The News CafeKorte Leidsedwarsstraat 77/B * Amsterdam * 020-6261838 * http://www.theagenda.nl/e6139_cafe-the-news.html?eID=35501 A nice little private club on the Korte Leidsedwarsstraat that is the first stop off of the daily Amsterdam Ultimate Party Pub Crawl. Its a cozy little bar with friendy and professional staff. Just like most of the clubs, when I ordered a Rum [...]

Ultimate Party – Amsterdam Pub Crawl Ultimate Party Pub Crawl – AmsterdamUltimate Party is every Sunday to Friday / 6 Nights a week * Starting : between 08:30 pm and 09:00 pm @ The News Cafe – 4 doors down from the Burger King Leidseplein ( Korte Leidse dwarsstraat 77) * Transportation: Tram 1,2,5,6,7,10 to [...]

Part B Entering the Begijnhof Thursday, 9 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sir Thomas Leaf was inspired by the healing energies of the plaza that was mythologically known for its healing and the bread that doesn’t burn. From the crazy wild partying city of Amsterdam – a walk through a door to another dimension – into [...]

Old Masters of AmsterdamAmsterdams Historisch Museum Exhibition: Old Masters of Amsterdam 6 March–9 August 2009 Amsterdams Historisch Museum (AHM) (Amsterdam Historical Museum)Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 359 * 1012 RM AMSTERDAM * 020-5231822 * info@ahm.amsterdam.nl * www.ahm.nl Amsterdam, HollandThis special exhibit tells the fascinating stories about the formation and growth of the rich collection of paintings owned by [...]

Begijnhof and Chapel *Zandvoorterweg 78 * 2111 GZ Aerdenhout * Tel. 023-5246229 * Fax. 023-5440081 * info: info@stille-omgang.nl * website: www.stille-omgang.nl Amsterdam, Hollandhttp://www.begijnhofamsterdam.nl/It was here, at the Begijnhof that a few days before Palm Sunday on March 15, 1345 a sick man in the Kalverstraat took the Sacrament of the sick from the local priest. [...]

Leaning BuildingsMany of the buildings along the canals are “leaning”Because the buildings have “winches” atop them and for years, this is how residents move their furniture in and out of the upper floors, the buildings have been pulled forward to support the weight, and actually are “leaning”. This was done so hoisted items don’t hit [...]

The Old Church (Oude Kerk) in the Red Light District* http://www.oudekerk.nl/ * Amsterdam, The NetherlandsThe Oude Kerk is the oldest parish church in Amsterdam. It was consecrated in 1306 by the bishop of Utrecht and is located in the De Wallen, Amsterdam’s main red-light district. The church spans over 3,000 square meters. Its foundation was [...]

New Amsterdam free tour meeting place at the monument in De Dam square New Amsterdam Free Walking TourRain or shine this tour meets every day at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm in front of Centraal Station, and Starts at 11:15 am and 1:15 pm at Dam Square in front of the National Monument. It is [...]

Hand on Breast sculpture Hand on Breast Sculpture Ouderkerksplein, Amsterdam, HollandEmbedded into the sidewalk, between the sidewalk stones of the Ouderkerksplein and the square that surrounds the Old Church in the Red Light District is a bronze/iron sculpture of a hand caressing a breast. The artist is unknown. This sculpture was left secretly in the [...]

Part A The Dam Monument Thursday, 9 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sir Thomas Leaf awoke shortly after Princess Brea disappeared down to the dining hall. Slowly rustling out of bed, Sir Thomas Leaf headed downstairs to join her and their new friend from Ireland, James for a pretty delicious continental breakfast and good conversation. Princess [...]

New Amsterdam Red Light District Tour “The Red Light District Exposed”The tour meets daily at 6:45 pm next to the Tourist Information Center directly in front of Centraal Staation. Look for the guides wearing red New Europe T-shirts. €10 Adults/€8 StudentsNow I’m not usually a real big fan of “tours” and the whole “tourist” “sightseeing” [...]

Sex MuseumDamrak 18 * 1012 LH Amsterdam, Netherlands * +31 20 6228376 * http://www.sexmuseumamsterdam.nl/A fabulous little two house two-story museum dedicated to sex, erotica, and the history of the arts through the ages. From prehistoric application, to the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians to modern day Amsterdam, one can walk through the history of copulation and [...]

Carnivals / Fairs in Dam SquareAmsterdam, HollandThe “Dam Square” is the central most part of Amsterdam, minus Central Station. Its called “de Dam” in Dutch, or simply “The Dam”. Here resides notable buildings and events that bring together more visitors to the Netherlands than any other places in the country. Deep in the historical center [...]

The Amsterdam WaagAmsterdam, the Netherlands In the heart of Amsterdam lies a remnant of the former city walls known as the “Amsterdam Waag”. The walls were constructed here between 1481 and 1494. The Waag was constructed in 1488 and originally housed one of the city gates known as the “Sint Anthoniespoort”. The lower part of [...]

Part D New friends … Wednesday, 8 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands Onward the adventurers met with the tour guide leading them through the Red Light District on a spectacular tour learning the history of the sex trade, industry, prostitution, and cannabis culture of Amsterdam. The adventurers met some amazing new friends from around the world [...]

Condomerie, Amsterdam Condomeriehttp://www.condomerie.com/Warmoesstraat 141 * 1012 JB Amsterdam * The Netherlands The world’s first specialized condom shop, the Condomerie takes “condoms” to a whole different level – from studies of fitting and sizing, to intricate fine and humorous artwork made from the rubbers. Located in the heart of the Red Light District in Amsterdam, the [...]

Copy free photo of Redlight windows from amsterdam.info Sex Shows, Amsterdam Red Light District, Amsterdam, The Netherlandshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Wallen One of the more notorious attractions to Amsterdam where sex can be shopped for in a variety like flavors of gelato in a gelateria. All puns aside, besides the museums and coffee shops, the district is one of [...]

Diabolo Goth Shop, AmsterdamDiabolowww.diabolo-shop.nl* Oudezijds Voorburgwal 242 * 1012 GK Amsterdam, Netherlands * +31 20 6234506A great little gothic, club-wear, and fetish clothing shop with wonderful designs and gear available. Bringing great fashion to Amsterdam since 1988, one of the best shops of this type in the city. They also offer custom made clothing. Excellent [...]

Part C Candles in a cafe Wednesday, 8 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands Looking over the maps, the weary travellers decided against hiking across town to the City center. Sir Thomas Leaf bought the pair some 24-hour Metro tickets so they could hop the bus and trains unlimited for the next 24 hours. The hostel recommended [...]

Amsterdam’s CanalsOne of the most picturesque parts of Amsterdam is it’s canals. A tremendous effort that was created by conscious city planning. Beginning in the early 17th century with immigration at its peak, the city decided to develope a comprehensive plan of a design based on four concentric half-circles of canals with their ends emerging [...]

Amsterdam Zeeburg Hostelling International StayOK Hostel Dining Hall Zeeburg Hostelling International StayOK Hostel* Timorplein 21 * 1094 CC Amsterdam * Netherlands * Tel. +31 (0)20 551 31 90 * Fax. +31 (0)20 623 49 86 * zeeburg@stayokay.com * http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel040050.en.htm?linkid=985020Facebook Stay page A very spacious hotel-like Hostelling International public-transit accessible to the heart of Amsterdam’s city [...]

Amsterdam Amsterdam, The NetherlandsThe largest city in Holland (The Netherlands) and its capital, is world-famous “Amsterdam”. It is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands. It is also the headquarters for most Dutch institutions and 7 of the world’s top 500 countries including Philips and ING. Amsterdam is located in North Holland in the [...]