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Rich`s Info (2). I am from U.S.A., California. Also, I am not in a wheelchair. I have accompanied people in chairs to Amsterdam and have been the "front-man' in terms of checking things out on-line and in person. Recently, I was There for the 2k1 Cups, and this Feb, plus I will be There this month (March). The following (and previous) e-mail (see previous page) is based on my direct experiences with chair friends. There were at least six people in chairs at the Cups. Note: these were manual chairs. Motorized chairs are bigger and heavier and will present challenges. Disabled is referred to in Dutch as "invalide". Good to know. EURO inflation: Due to uncertainty, inflated approx. 4.7 % since the Cups (per London Times). Things cost more now. Trams: Some have low-centered doors, which means you have to go up over a "lip" at curb level. Best chances are Trams going through Leidseplein: #5 is good, plus it stops at the Van Gogh and Rijk museums. Also, either the 24 and/or 25 is low-centered. #4 and #20 are not. Here's some more info, with a flavor for the Cannabis Cups, albeit an American Hype. (High Times charges WAY too much. You can arrange it all yourself for at least $500.00 less. When High Times starts quoting price this summer, I'll offer to post what you can pay.) Anyway,regarding the Cups, the Pax House has "lifts" (elevators: if you say "elevator" you may get a blank stare) and an entry ramp. "Judges Pass" costing $225.00, is a rip-off. It gets you into the Pax House, on Ferdinand Bolstraat, which is a convention. You get to meet lots of vendors who get you stoned and lots of people from all over, though mainly U.S.A. A problem is that the tour vans they use to take you around to Coffeeshops are not accessible. The canal boat ride is impossible and a rip-off. I know pots heads so disgusted that they got off early and walked back. Nearby, the Okura Hotel is an excellent (expensive 5-star) hotel, and you need a suit and tie to dine there. The reason I mention it is because you can use their huge bathrooms, free of charge. Most public places, including MacDonalds/Burger King, have a "bathroom lady" who keeps them clean and expects a tip of .50 Euro. Four and five star hotels will allow a chair to use their large lobby bathrooms free, with a polite smile, even though you are not staying there. Non-chairs attempt at their own risk. The above locations are so far South in Amsterdam that they are near the bottom of most maps. That means you have to take a taxis or tram to anywhere, chair or not. Up Ferdinand Bolstraat, toward Centrum, is the huge Albert Cuyp Street Market. Good Stuff. No WC. Use MacDonalds before entering. Museums discussed in previous e-mail. Van Gogh and Rijk very chair friendly. The Melkweg-on-Leiseplein, where the live music for the Cups is played has some large WC's and good entry to the building. The BullDog/Leidesplein has good entry, though touristy. The Hard Rock Cafe/Leidseplein is most excellent. Good entry, huge WC, and a "lift" that goes down the rails of a short staircase. Prices are moderate, with good food and view, I must say. Don't forget the gift shop. Heading North, toward Centraal Station: De Dampkring CoffeeShop. Recommend Strongly. Door wide enough to get in. Serves alcohol. Bathroom is do-able. You have to go up a step (people cheerfully assist) and you need to use the lady's WC, but all the patrons and staff are so cool that they celebrate your just being there. They also have excellent "everything". The ambience is Tops. This is my favorite alcohol-serving coffeeshop with chair-access. Actually, this is where you will find me on a cold night, sipping brandy and having a bowl, but I digress. Heading up the street, to Kalverstraat, there are Burger King/Macdonalds with big WC's and lifts, which I discussed in the earlier e-mail. You can actually turn left and roll up Kalverstraat all the way to Dam Square, which is a treat because there are so many shops and lifts are common. This street is more structurally "modern" with the visiting shopper in mind. Note: it shuts down at night; during the off-season, they all close by six p.m., except on Thursdays, when they are open until eight. Whoopee. But before you turn left on Kalverstraat, turn right and go to Rembrandtplein. There is a 24-hour -on-line computer store (Easy Everything) with good entry and WC. After 11 at night it is only 25 cents an hour. There is an Argentine Steak House with a WC that is do-able.(At the 2k Cups I saw a woman in a chair with a seeing-eye dog there.) The Rookerij Coffeeshop/Rembrandtplein is my favorite non-alcohol place. They make the best hot chocolate, sampled with their delicious hash. They also have a tall blonde full-figured Dutch girl with Ruby lips behind the counter... Anyway, the draw-back is the WC and purchasing area is down a very narrow/steep stairs. They will bring the menu to you and allow purchase. The Plus is the view. Looks out on the Amstel, with the L'Hotel Europe lit up at night across the canal. The interior of the Coffee Shop has a rare high-ceiling, Cathedral-like with Gothic decor that suggests someone took some strong something before they went to sleep and studied their dreams and woke up and did this place. Whew. To the NorthWest: Jordaan Area. I'm not too familiar with it. Barney's Breakfast Place/CoffeeShop on Haarlemerstraat. Too many good things to say at once. Down a couple steps and your in. TINY WC. "Pink Floyd" is un-doable. Try the Doors/BullDog/Rookery group on the Singel. The "Amnesia" on Herengracht is very good entry, though I don't remember the WC. This is a truly local coffeeshop. Worth a visit. Dam Square, etc.: Coming from the Jordaan and beforementioned Coffeeshops, there is a three story Virgin Mega Store with lifts and WC's that is very good. You can actually get a coke for 1 guilder vs. 2.50 guilder everywhere else. (Joe Pauker's "Get Lost" was right !) Affordable Hotels: To be a 3-star hotel requires a lift, but that does not mean the hotel is accessible. My view is that only 4 & 5 star hotels are accessible, and only some 4-stars. Hotels along the Ring Roads are cheaper, but farther away from anything. Some have no trams nearby, so chair or not requires a taxis. It's a trade-off. The closer to the Center, the more expensive, but no taxis. (Personally, for all visitors, I think it is better to get a place in the centre, there is not only the extra cost of transport to outlaying hotels, but the time it wastes commuting to and from them) The Le Meridien Apollo near the Museumplien is possible. Rooms start at $115.00/double, winter rate. It is a short taxis to Van Gogh /Rijk Musuems, and reasonable to the Leidseplein (which has everything you might want to do). Beyond that take a deep breath before you read the meter. The Crowne Plaza (5 star) has lobby bathrooms. Use them. Entering Dam Square from the left: between the Royal Palace and Royal Museum what-ever-it-is, there is a resturaunt (who's name I forget) with wide opening and huge WC's and moderately priced good food (ten Euro meals). This was apparently planned with the limited-access patron in mind, especially those staying at nearby 5 star hotels with $money$. Hotels: Krasnapolsky (5*), on Dam Square, has good winter rates, good entry, large disabled room. The double my friend stayed in (Room1024) was huge. The bathroom was bigger than rooms in 1-star hotels I've stayed in; it also has a red cord running the perimeter at ground level and around fixtures that you can pull for emergency assistance. There are two seperate webbed chairs to sit in with seperate shower spray, etc. That means two people have their own spot. Ladies will appreciate that. Plus there is an over-sized bathtub (even by American standards). The entry into the hotel room is bigger than most bathrooms you will find in Amsterdam. Drawback: nothing is cheap. The Winter rate was $156.00 vs normal $260.00. You could sleep 4-6 people in the room if you don't get caught. They block the money on your credit card at the very beginning , plus an extra $80.00 dollars a night for possible charges like phone, meals. We had to use two credit cards to hold this room for ten days during the "Cups". Reserve in advance. The Radisson Hotel (5*) on Rusland nearby was used by another man in a chair. His complaints were having to have the bed and some other furniture moved around so could fit his chair into tight spots. Had Winter rates. The Rho Hotel got a thumbs-down by another chair. Has lift, WC, ok entry up a couple steps.Seemed alright. Noisy. Spartan. Goes with the price. (I agree fully) Red Light District: There are accessible coffeeshops and seed banks and many other things, though WC's are questionable. The ladies of the night and day are often chair accessible and most accommodating, though narrow doors rule. This IS the oldest part of town. Well, that's about it, if you are still reading. This month (March) I will check out the canal boats and the Metro. Cheers, Rich.
 
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