# Amsterdope! (Psssst...BoomFly) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 9, 2001, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132 "2001-01-09T08:07:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/101 "2001-01-30T10:37:40Z")
It’s new to me (I go back to the old Magic Bus days – _what_ were those stains on the seats !) – but I am pretty out of touch. Anyway: [http://www.busabout.com/](http://www.busabout.com/) I think, at least at the beginning of your trip, you’re going to be a little ahead of the season. The site says services start in April: [http://www.busabout.com/news.asp?aid=02D00121NWS201](http://www.busabout.com/news.asp?aid=02D00121NWS201) It is a nice concept and a really valid alternative to the rail-pass. If it is a no-booking, walk-on service, It’ll be interesting to see how it well it works in practice. Personally, I like the train for longer journeys as you can relax more easily, walk around and the toilet isn’t 3 feet away. This sounds really very convenient, though – assuming it works like the site says it does. The virtual tour and FAQ on the Busabout site do offer some comfort. Diane – I imagine this is all part of the larger plan but, in case it’s not, Frankfurt \> Amsterdam shouldn’t be a particularly difficult trip. Remember, there are no real borders in mainland Europe anymore and, I’d imagine, there must be a regular, daily bus service between the two. I guessing….4 - 5 hours ? If the details aren’t in your Lonely Planet (or whatever you’re going with/ thumbing through at the bookstore), I’ll look into it if it helps. ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/102 "2001-01-30T10:49:03Z")
Frankfurt to A’dam is about a five hour trip, tack on another hour or two for the trip from Ramstein, there might be other connections from there, but I don’t know. I haven’t checked the rail prices yet, but a round trip flight from Frankfurt is about $150. I’ve always found that the best way to deal with DB (assuming you haven’t bought a rail pass) is to go in person to the station, find a friendly clerk (most speak English) and just ask about the cheapest deals. It can be hell trying to figure out all the various specials, but they are very helpful. Perhaps your father could go down to the Bahnhof Reiseburo and ask for you? Another option is to rent a car, since you’ll have so many people with you it’s probably one of the cheaper options. Driving in Germany is not terribly difficult, I think all you’ll need is an int’l driver’s license (you can get those from AAA, I think). It’s probably about a five hour drive from your father’s house to A’dam. The only problem with driving is finding a place to park in A’dam, but I’m sure Clogster can help you out with that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/103 "2001-01-30T12:45:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tatertot \* > \*\*Ooooh & I saw a pic of **hibby** last night. He’s cute! I think the Teeming Millions will be most pleased with the man-meat we send out from this Doperfest… 😉 \*\* Enticing as the prospect is of being processed into meat and distributed to the Teeming Millions, I am honour-bound to point out that I am the one on the right of the photo. The brown furry one is certainly cute, and may well make good eating, but she won’t be attending. ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/104 "2001-01-30T13:13:09Z")
But the man-meat must go out. It’s another one of those traditions I was telling you about. Oh, and for the curious people, here’s [hibby](http://coldyworld.homestead.com/files/Dara.jpg)! Oh yeah, and he has one of those fiancee type people (I hope that’s not her in the pic), so let’s not fawn over him, okay? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/105 "2001-01-30T13:59:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tatertot \* > Oh yeah, and he has one of those fiancee type people (I hope that’s not her in the pic), so let’s not fawn over him, okay? 😉 I don’t have one of those - let the fawning begin! Hey, where did everybody go? 😛 S. Norman ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/106 "2001-01-30T15:39:17Z")
And with that, I killed the thread. Great, just great. It’s going to be one of those weeks, I can feel it… ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/107 "2001-01-30T15:54:49Z")
If I fawn you, can I borrow your credit card? Ack! Mine expires on Thursday, they said they sent it out a new one last week, but it’s not here. And I don’t think they are going to let me make reservations with a card that expires in two days. ☹ I guess this is why having one card just for emergencies is not a good idea. Oh, and Snormy, your mail server hates me again. 4 bounce-backs in one day! ---
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/108 "2001-01-30T16:01:24Z")
I had no luck with my lottery ticket this time either… If I send you my address, will you send me a postcard? Please? ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/109 "2001-01-30T17:40:57Z")
**soda** , of course we’re going to send you a postcard. In fact, I’ve enlisted the help of **Fierra** and **Bunny Boy** and we’re going to send them out to everyone that wants one. 😃 Oh, and I forgot to mention, it’s also a tradition for all male posters from Ireland who are not **Yoji** to get a nickname from me. Hope you like yours, **BB**! It’s good to be the AFIC. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/110 "2001-01-30T19:11:19Z")
Did I miss an email? You said there was one coming? I have made my plane reservations, and sent an email to **ClogMod** asking him to recommend areas for me to stay… I don’t really want to stay in the red-light district! **Snormy** I would love to fawn on you, but - being a redhead - I am not very good at it. Be assured I am keeping you in my evil thoughts 🙂 How do you feel about older women? ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/111 "2001-01-30T20:00:04Z")
**Sassy** , oh fab lassy, I resent the e-mail. I’m going to consult with the dashing **L.C.** tonight and try and figure out once and for all where the fantastic three will be staying…would you like to make it the fantastic four? Mail me & let me know…I don’t think Clogster is going to be answering his mail until the 3rd or 4th. I’ll forward you the mail he sent me with list of close districts & map. I don’t suppose you could smuggle the other Bay Area Dopers in your luggage, could you? Wouldn’t it be a hoot and a half to get my dear sweet curmudgeonly **Obby** doped up? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/112 "2001-01-30T23:09:18Z")
well, **Baglady** is the expert at packing… but I think this challenge may even be beyond her. I will email you when I get home. ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/113 "2001-01-30T23:55:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tatertot \* > **Oh, and I forgot to mention, it’s also a tradition for all male posters from Ireland who are not Yoji to get a nickname from me. Hope you like yours, BB** I can live with it (been called worse). And it makes me sound like a good match for **missbunny** :D. So, how come **Yojimbo** doesn’t get a nickname? ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/114 "2001-01-31T09:52:40Z")
I couldn’t think of anything that suited him better than **Yoji**. Perhaps he’ll do something really silly in A’dam that will suggest a nickname? Have you learned the song yet? ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/115 "2001-01-31T10:19:43Z")
Well, you can’t beat a better nickname than Yoji Bear!! (Bear is his nickname, IIRC, IRL) Can’t you just picture Yoji stealing picnic baskets? and foiling Ranger Bob every week? ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/116 "2001-01-31T10:26:02Z")
Aak! I’m not going to recycle a nickname somebody else gave him! That’s just wrong. I would call him my little croquette of man meat, but that takes too long to say. So, JL, you coming or not? ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/117 "2001-01-31T10:28:23Z")
I’d go with the ‘Beer Bear’. Mornin’ all – hope the job’s a good un, John. Best to you and Yoji. Mail in the post, Frau Bonkers. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/118 "2001-01-31T10:33:04Z")
Well, If a)I can blow off this family gig, b) I get my passport soon c) I can get enough money together without hitting my Lanzarotte money I’m there. I will definitely know by the end of the week. ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/119 "2001-01-31T10:47:28Z")
**Beer Bear** , is good, but then he would have the same initials as **Bunny Boy**. I’d call him **PimpDaddy P** , but I already gave that nickname to somebody. This is going to take some thought… JL: a) You’ve been needing a new passport for months, get on it already. You need it for more than this, you know. b) Are you sure you want to blow off your family? Maybe you could go to Barcelona instead. c) I have no idea what you are talking about, but by all means don’t dip into those funds. Wait, I’m supposed to be talking you into this… ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2001, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132/120 "2001-01-31T16:43:13Z")
- one excuses herself with hair colour and one tries to gain economical benefits. I’m not impressed. (One of these days I’d better look “fawn” up, I’m not 100% sure what it means and who knows what of sort trouble I’m getting into…) As for Yojimbo: Yoji Bear is darn-nigh perfect, go with it. tater, you can’t claim a monopoly on creativity, that’s just wrong. Be nice or I’ll rat on the haircut! Besides, I know a song about Yoji Bears when I get enough to drink. Ye gods, there’s still one-and-half month until the 17th. Are you never scared we’ll run out of steam ? S. Norman [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amsterdope-psssst-boomfly/49132.md?page=7)