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Originally Posted by Draconis
Just on a side note, is there anything that I should avoid like a pack of leper-babies with the Black Death? Bad streets, alleys, types of people to avoid, random laws that I should know about and definitely not break, etc.
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First off, Amsterdam is statistically among the safest big cities in Europe. Nevertheless, if you're alone, use big-city common sense. Don't go down dark alleys at 1 in the morning, be alert and aware in your senses and body language (ie., don't walk the streets alone while stoned as a shrimp), and probably THE most important thing - don't acknowledge shady looking people in the street offering anything (at any time of the day)...just keep walking...eye contact is unnecessary. Also, it is bad form to smoke anywhere in public besides the coffeeshops, you might not get arrested, but you might get hassled by someone who doesn't want to see or smell the stuff, or you laughing uncontrollably in their face (or their kid's face, etc...).
Keep in mind that it is illegal to have over a certain amount of weed on you in public...probably not a good idea to walk around with an ounce, etc. Secure your passport and valuables...I always stayed in a hotel with safes, don't know about a hostel. Don't try to smuggle anything out of AMS...airport security has seen it all; they know all the tricks, and it makes their day if they catch someone.