30 years ago, 1991...
the wall had fallen, the borders were less open than now, a youth culture was changing to a political culture... it was literally a totally different time! the wall changed so much so fast during that time.
i was there for a while in 89, but a little over a year 90/91. living on the economy for a year gives you are different feeling about a place. i enjoyed living up the north shore in some very beautiful seafront, tiny village, but i also lived in Amsterdam for several months, and i enjoyed that too! it was fast pace and i cant think of a time i didnt feel relatively safe. i mean, if you pick a fight then your friends cant be surprised there was some ruckus to deal with, and i was with a group or 10 guys! so, sort of den-mother!
i admired the people because they all seemed to know everyone else's languages! and with a fluidity that was amazing! they EVEN understood me and im total hillbilly! i was young and under traveled so it all was just a big WOW!
i went to the 3rd annual cannabis cup that winter! hmmm... i think it was actually winter late 90 when i was there for that long stretch. i think we started in sept of 90 and came back at christmas a year later.
no one seemed like pot was any issue, there were a few rules, and some amount of politeness. but for the most part, people were allowed to do as they pleased, and they seemed to be pleased to be nice and polite and fun! ... but on the other hand people could light a cigarette inside too - right next to you! and you could walk around with beer... actually i think it was a rule, you had to walk around with beer!
bicycles were the most dangerous thing to anyone walking the streets! they were everywhere! chained to anything! and you better watch out, they would knock you down! although... the whole place braked for animals! lol. these are just generalizations of a hillbilly in a big city! but i did love it all!! and it was quite the adventure!
it seemed to be the first place i ever heard of pot with names! we had mexican, skunk and then there was sensi after a while. went there and they had a menu! with names!!!
well, those were memories! thanks for sparking that in my head, i have smiled all morning!