Amsterdam

telephone

The telephone country code for the Netherlands is 31, and Amsterdam's city code is 020. You only need to dial the 0 if you're calling from within the Netherlands.

Pay phones are increasingly rare as most Dutch people have a mobile phone. That's why pay phones mostly cater to tourists and can be found around tourist areas, such as the central station. If making local calls from a pay phone, you will need a phone card €5 minimum as many green KPN telephone booths do not accept coins. blue/orange Telfort booths accept both coins and cards. The KPN booths are currently being replaced by newer models, which will accept coins again. There are very few public telephones on the streets or in public transport stations in the Netherlands. If you need to make a call and do not have access to a local phone or hotel phone, it is best to go to a call centre or use a calling service over the internet like Skype, for example. Most payphones require phone cards which can be bought at post offices and some delis, although the cards are increasingly hard to find. Also, as in any area, some of the pay phones are scams. If you do need to use a payphone, call the free customer service number listed on the payphone first to make sure the phone is actually in service. When you call the customer service number listed on the phone, if you get a recorded message or 'number not in service' message in Dutch or English, then DON'T put your money or credit card into the phone. Phones run by BBG Communications, common in Europe and the U.S., have repeatedly been alleged to make fraudulent charges with credit cards used in their phone, for calls that were never made.

If you really do need a pay phone, they can be found in groups of six near the main entrance of the Central Station.

There are phone shops 'belwinkel' all over the city. Outside the city centre, they mostly serve immigrants calling their home country at cheap rates.

If you have a simlock-free European GSM mobile phone suitable for GSM 900/1800 networks, consider buying a prepaid simcard. You can buy these in any electronics store, and they are often the same price as buying a KPN phonebooth card. Calling then is a lot cheaper than using pay phones, and you are mobile.

internet

The first internet cafes of the country opened in Amsterdam, but they vanished as quickly as they appeared. Only a few smaller internet cafes remain in the Old Centre. Outside of it, you might want to try your luck at one of the phone shops belwinkel, which cater for immigrant communities in the Netherlands, but they usually have only one or two terminals. The Amsterdam Public Library Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam offers free internet access. It is limited to web-only access though and is located near the Central Station in the Old Centre.

If you bring a laptop, many hotels in the city offer wifi free of charge for guests, but inform before making a booking. Don't count on this when staying at a hostel or cheaper end hotel. On the go, you can try some of the various coffee houses or fast food chains for wi-fi — but nearly all of them charge for it.

religious services

Holy Mass in Catholic churches Overview of Cath. Masses in the city center (English: (http://www.nicolaas-paroc...):

Begijnhofkapel

HH. Joannes en Ursula, Begijnhof 29. (http://www.begijnhofamste...) Sun: 10PM 11:15PM in French; Mon-Fri: 9AM, 5PM; Sat: 9AM.

De Krijtberg

St. Franciscus Xaverius, Singel 448 stop Koningsplein of trams 1, 2, 5. (http://www.krijtberg.nl/) Sat: 12:30PM, 5:15PM; Sun: 9:30AM; 11:00AM Latin, 12:30AM, 5:15PM; Mon-Fri: 12:30PM, 5:15PM.

Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk

Keizersgracht 220/218 B stop Westermarkt of trams 6, 13, 14, 17 or busses 21, 170, 172. (http://www.amsterdam.onze...) Sat: 7PM; Sun: 11:15AM, 1:00PM surinam.; Mon-Fri chapel: 12:15PM, 7:30PM.

Papegaai

HH. Petrus en Paulus, Kalverstraat 58 by feet 20 min from central station. Sat: 5:30PM; Sun: 10:30AM Latin, 12:15PM Latin; Mon-Sat: 10:30AM.

Zusters van Moeder Teresa

Amsterdam-Badhoevedorp, Egelantierstraat 147 city centre. Sun: 3:00PM; Mon-Sat: 07:30AM.

Vrouwe van alle volkeren

Diepenbrockstraat 3 near to RAI congress centre, tel. 020-6620504. Sun: 09:30AM, 11:15AM; Mon-Sat: 12:15PM; Tue: 7:15PM.

Parish of the Blessed Trinity

Zaaiersweg 180, 1097 ST Amsterdam, Tel:020-4652711,020-7772740. Mass in English, Sunday 10:30 am and Noon.

English Language Worship for Protestants:

English Reformed Church

Begijnhof 48, 1012 WV Amsterdam, telephone +31020 624 9665. Service at 10:30 Sundays. An English language Reformed Church led by a Presbyterian Church of Scotland minister.

Old Catholic Church a Dutch denomination in communion with the Church of England - Anglican

Parochie van de H.H. Petrus en Paulus & H.H. Johannes en Willibrordus

Ruysdaelstraat 39.. Eucharist 10:00 Sundays in Dutch

The older generation of Dutch people tends to be more religious.

cannabis and other drugs

It cannot be denied that many tourists come to Amsterdam for the coffeeshops. Coffeeshops in English but written as one word sell only soft drugs such as marijuana and hash - asking for other drugs is pointless because coffeeshops are watched closely by the authorities, and nothing will get them closed faster than having hard drugs for sale. 'Café' is the general name for a place licenced to sell alcohol: a bar.

Quality varies. Coffeeshops aimed at tourists are more likely to have overpriced and poor quality products. A simple rule of thumb is: if the place looks good and well-kept chances are their wares will be good as well. Don't just enter a coffeeshop being overwhelmed that it's possible at all to buy and consume cannabis openly: be discerning as to the quality.

If you're not a smoker, and you really want to try it, start with something light, make sure you don't have an empty stomach, and don't combine it with any other drugs or intoxicants, including alcohol. Be forthright with the counter person about your inexperience, they see it all the time. Go with an experienced person if you can. Regardless of the strength, your first experience can be quite a sensation at first, but will quickly decrease in intensity. You may want to plan to return to your hotel and "hole up" for a couple hours until you become comfortable with the feeling. If you do find yourself too strongly under the influence - feeling nauseated, woozey or faint - drink orange juice or eat something sweet like cookies or candy, and get fresh air. Dutch-grown nederwiet a.k.a. super skunk is much stronger than you might expect, even if you are experienced. The THC level can be as high as 15%, twice the norm source: Trimbos Institute.

There's a small chance you will be approached by people offering to sell you hard drugs in the street, especially as you are walking through the Red Light District. Ignoring or failing that a firm refusal is enough - they will not pester you. The selling of drugs in the street is illegal and often dangerous; moreover the drugs sold to strangers are usually fake. When they invite you to see the goods, they can lure you into a narrow street and rob you.

So-called smartshops do not sell any illegal products, but a range of dietary supplements, including 'herbal exstacy' - a legal attempt at an ecstasy pill alternative which is a complete waste of money and various more or less obscure psychedelic herbs and despite a change in the law, one type of magic mushrooms. It is the latter which causes problems as people often underestimate their strength. Magic mushrooms have few physical risks attached to them, but can have a very strong short-actingpsychological effect, which can either be great or very distressing, depending on your own mindset e.g. if you are relaxed, have any serious worries, history of mental illness, etc. and your surroundings e.g. if you feel comfortable and safe in them. The first time you try this should always be in a familiar and trusted environment, not on the streets of an unfamiliar city. If you do decide to try it please get informed first. Conscious Dreams (http://www.consciousdreams.nl/), the company who invented the entire concept of a 'smartshop' back in 1994 does this clearly without downplaying the possible risks just to sell more like some other shops do and responsibly. Also plan well ahead, make sure you have thought out where you will be, most recommended is going to a large park like the Vondelpark, the Rembrandtpark or the Amsterdamse Bos where it is quiet, and there is no risk from traffic. Make sure that being intoxicated will not endanger your safety, or that of anybody else. Be sure to make your purchase in the Smartshops rather than a regular coffeeshop. They are better regulated and information is available from the attendants that work there. They are also of better quality and stronger potency than at the coffeeshops.

If you're not sure of how much to take, take a small dose. Then you'll know what your "tolerance" level is. People who have bad trips are those who take a dosage over their own tolerance level. Never take more than one packet of mushrooms - usually half is good for your first time. A good smart shop can give you more info about this.

Do keep in mind that all hemp related products except the seeds are still illegal. This can be confusing for most tourists, who do think hemp products are legal since they are sold in coffeeshops. Hemp products are not legal, rather they are "tolerated" under the Dutch Opium Act. Read more about the legalities in the article about the Netherlands.

As of April 2009 you can still buy Magic mushrooms.

Amsterdam plays host to the Cannabis Cup, the most important marijuana related event in the world every year during the week of Thanksgiving. The Cannabis Cup is organized by High Times magazine, and offers both tourists and natives the chance to enjoy 5 days of consuming and judging marijuana in different forms. Participants are eligible to pay $199 in advance or €250 at the door to obtain a "judges pass", which allows entry to the event for all 5 days, admission to numerous concerts and seminars held during the event, the ability to vote on numerous awards that are handed out, and free bus tours to and from the event. Day passes are available for €30 for each day, and certain concerts sell tickets at the door provided they are not already sold out.

general

You should take normal precautions against pickpockets and baggage theft, especially in the main shopping streets, in trams and trains, at stations, and anywhere where tourists congregate. Street begging is no longer common in Amsterdam, since the police take a harder line. Some beggars are addicts, some are homeless, and some are both.

What looks like a footpath, especially along a canal bank, may be a bike lane. Bike lanes are normally marked by red/purple tiles or asphalt, and a bike icon on the ground. However, the colour fades over time, so you might miss the difference. Don't expect cyclists to be kind to pedestrians: some consider the side-walk an extension of the road, to be used when it suits them. Never stay or walk on the bike path or street for extended periods of time, as you will be greeted only by angry bell ringing. Keep in mind that for many Amsterdammers, the bike is their main means of transportation. For the bike theft problem see above, Get around.

Watch out for trams when crossing the street. Taxis are also allowed to use some tram lanes, and even if not allowed, they often use them anyway.

Groups of women visiting the Red Light District at night might feel harassed in the aggressive environment, though this is said to be the safest area because of the police presence. Keep to main streets and groups. Do not take photographs of the prostitutes!, you will be yelled at or worse.

Although not really dangerous, women especially might want to avoid the narrow lane north of the Oude Kerk Old Church after dark as the atmosphere can be quite intimidating.

neighborhoods

Amsterdam is actually one of the safest cities in the world. International consultancy Mercer ranked Amsterdam 13 out of 215 world cities for personal safety in its 2010 Quality of Life Survey. (http://www.mercer.com/pre...)

Journeywoman.com calls Amsterdam 'female-friendly' and recommends it as a city where women travelling alone should feel comfortable and safe. (http://www.journeywoman.c...)

However, there are differences between the neighborhoods. While it's filled with all types of people during the day, the Red Light District does attract seedier visitors and vagrants after sunset. You may want to avoid walking alone here or in parks at night.

The Bijlmer and Slotervaart in West still have a bad name regarding violence and harassment. With recent urban renewal projects, these neighborhoods have made significant progress in the last few years.

The local authorities provide a brochure (http://www.iamsterdam.com...) with tips, do's and don'ts and other safety information.