Check out
www.webehigh.com. Its a great cannabis resource for any country in the world. As far as amsterdam goes. Hostel it. You meet great people, and stay cheap. Dont go over a weekend, if you do, book in advance, its impossible to find a place to stay over the weekend there. (even in October) Amsterdam to Brits, is like Vegas to Phoenicians.
Dont worry about the hookers. Prostitution is legal, unionized, and regulated there. its not like HBO's "Hookers at the point." and I assure you, quite a few of them are HOT. Not just hot, but HOT. Check out
www.womenoftheworld.nl for a small example.
Prepare to spend a lot of money there. Weed actually costs just about the same as I pay for it in Arizona. Plus, its like candy has been illegal your whole life, and now you are walking into a candy store your first time. You want to try EVERYTHING.
Also, you have to understand the mentality of the Dutch. Most Dutch people don't smoke weed. They just don't care if you do. As long as you don't bother anyone. Many people told me it was illegal to smoke outside of coffee shops. Technically, true. But realistically, its not, its just considered "rude." I actually had the nerve to show a cop there a "reefer" (reefers are pure weed, joints are half weed half tobacco) I asked him if it was ok to smoke it on the street. He looked at me as though I had just asked "Is it legal to piss in a toliet?" and said, "of course."
Drugs are sold on the street by everyone. You walk passed people and they just say things like "cocaine, ecstacy?" Just keep walking. I never bought anything harder than weed or shrooms there (in shops of course) but I am told these street dealers are great at ripping people off. Ignore them, and they won't bother you.
The biggest "culture shock" I had was how civil the place actually was. Its 10x more civil than any place I've found in the US. I was always raised to understand Amsterdam as some Drug & Sex Capitol of the world. It's just not true. You really are free to do your own thing there, as long as you dont mess with anyone else.
Obviously you can smoke in coffee shops, bars though are a different story. Bottom line there, just ask the bartender if you can smoke in there. If they say no, respect it. Otherwise, if you have their permission, have at it.
Out of all the countries I have been to, (only about a dozen) The Netherlands is by far my favorite. Not because weed is virtually legal, but the mentality of the people. Show respect for everyone, and enjoy yourself. A better philosophy I cannot think of.
