Thursday March 11th we are turning the Uptown bar into a Hollywood party.

Annemiek is leaving us so that’s reason enough for a long night of drinking and dancing dressed up like your favorite moviestar!

Hello lovely piggies around the world! I just wanted to wish you all a very, very precious 2010! I wish you this straight out of the heart of Amsterdam Downtown! Have a good one, and hope to see you all around here to have a beer! (eeeh, not just a beer!) Yeah!

Saying goodbye to the Flying Pig

by Aly Coy

Leaving The Pig is always difficult to do.

It’s so easy to become comfortable with the velvet drapes, oddly matched chandeliers and red glowing candles. Lounging on pillows, smoking joints and talking of your travels.

Since time doesn’t seem to exist at The Pig, it drifts on, and quickly disappears out of sight.

No one can stay at The Pig forever, and even though it’s hard, at one point in your Pig career, you have to accept it’s time to go. You’ve given your month’s notice, which has been postponed three times for various reasons. It has been talked about then planned. Flights are booked, other jobs lined up.

When the last weeks turn into the last days, that is when it starts to set in. You pause to take in the friendly faces and places around you. You start to think in ‘lasts.’ Last staff dinner, last bike ride, last shift.

You reflect over the year and the landmarks in time.

Being here for my second Cannabis Cup reminds me of rationing Whapper days, finding endless weed samples discarded throughout the hostel.

The connoisseurs of marijuana, all having routine with their judging lung. Papers, grinders, bongs, and vaporizers, all lined up in front of them with perfect percision. These judges who’ve paid the €250 judge’s pass, are the hard core enthusiasts who have travelled across the world  in search for the best of the best.

The usual sense of a smoker’s community is heightened with the scent of professionals.

Sinterklaas is walking around the week before with his somewhat politically incorrect helpers covered in soot from the fireplaces.

The Sinterklaas Parade is coincidentally (or not) on the same weekend as the Santa Claus Parade in Canada, November 15th. Santa Claus originates from the Dutch Sinterklaas, substituting the North Pole for Spain, Christmas stocking for shoes, a pope-like hat instead of the red and white tuque, and the presents come 20 days earlier.

You’ll eat lots of pepernoten, little round ginger cookies, and chocolates in the shape of your first initial.

Christmas isn’t as corny here as at home. People’s lawns aren’t bombarded with plastic reindeer and elves. There are more delicate white lighting in people’s windows with a small picture of Saint Nicolaas. Dam Square is lit up with a giant tree, which has a night in jail and a hefty fine if mounted.

Christmas at The Pig is cozy, with special pastries, turkey dinner, and a feeling of togetherness with the staff and the guests.

Soon, after a crazy New Years has gone by, people start talking of Queen’s Day, April 30th. Collecting orange gear and regaling stories of past years. A sea of orange costumes meandering along the canals, eyeing the allowed-one-day-a-year personal flea markets at your feet and parade of partying boats at your side.

There are free festivals provided by the city and roads blocked off for the crowds of walking people.

Carnaval, 40 days before Easter, is one of the only other days the Dutch get into costume, all heading South and partying harder than Mardigras and North America’s Halloween put together. Different towns have different themes and traditions, all littered with floats blaring music.

If you’re looking for more parties, Utrecht is a mini Amsterdam, but with another layer of cafe’s, stores, and clubs down at canal level, and replace the hoards of tourists with all Dutch students.

The young people who do reside there, start partying Thursday night and end on a Sunday. Attend any festival you hear of in Utrecht, specifically Source or Stekker Fest. The students who attend these all day parties unleash their strange, creative side wearing costumes, getting into character, and having funny props.

Because of living in international Amsterdam, it’s refreshing to be the only native English speaker in the all Dutch crowd. People assume you are a local and you are forced to communicate as best you can before they revert to their fluent English.

Another festival to look for this summer is Pink Pop. If you’re looking for an all Dutch experience, this is as local as it gets. The musical festival is located in a village surrounded by lots of fields, cows, pancakes and clogs. Most locals will look in curiosity when you speak English and will ask how you ended up in that tiny town in The Netherlands.

The bands that were headlining last year were Bruce Springsteen, Snow Patrol, Pendulum and The Killers. The ‘people watching’ alone is to go for and the festival is incredibly well organized after their 40th year. If you collect 25 plastic cups you get two free drink tickets. People comb the grounds, which makes for a fun game and clean surroundings.

Gay Pride is also a huge day for Amsterdam held in August. Men in tight shirts and glitter, flaunt themselves about the city with acceptance and delight.  A parade of floats blaring R.E.S.P.E.C.T dance down the canals to the supporting onlookers above. Note: When planning a trip, this day is to not be confused with Queen’s Day.

It’s interesting to see the different type of people which each occasion brings in. After working at The Pig for a year you see returning guests, which also helps grasp your time here. Hearing that it had been eight months since their last visit, can come as quite a shock.

Deciding that it’s your time to go is also a feat. A lot of piggies don’t realize it’s there time and put management in the position to sometimes decide for them.

A lot of ex piggies come back from the cruel harsh world of reality to open arms of the still comforted few. Many have stories of fun, but not the same experience as at The Pig.

The Piggies who are still away, look in from the outside through pictures or videos, and visit whenever they can. The fact that is seems no one can really get over The Pig, makes me nervous as the one now leaving. It feels like the end of summer camp, but I’m the only one moving on.

It’s hard to think it won’t be the same with my other jobs, because The Flying Pig is a magical place, and that magic stays with the piggies to each of their destinations.

You learn a lot about who you are over the course of your Pig experience. It has a non-judging environment for growth and learning how to truly show yourself to other people. Some pigs feel that acceptance can only happen here, but it’s not true. It’s something that is inside you no matter what. Like one of The Pig’s sayings, ‘home is in your head.’ The Pig philosophies can always be present in your surroundings if you want them to be.

People even physically have trouble leaving The Flying Pig. Guests, ninety percent of the time, try to leave first through the turn style they entered from, and even with the most coaching from reception they can’t seem to find the exit door to their right. Thankfully there’s another fire exit close by.

No matter how long or short your stay is at The Pig, it’s always difficult to leave. The important thing to remember when saying goodbye, and what everyone promises when the leave, is that they are definitely, one day, coming back.

The period before Christmas; some people love it, some people tempt to get a bit melancholic, and some people stress the hell out of themselves buying the perfect presents for everyone. And each year from a certain date, everything is covered and decorated with lights, mulled wine becomes THE drink, ice-skating is not only for pro’s and going to a market with stuff only your grandma likes is a ‘cool’ thing to do. Oh and don’t forget the Dutch treat: ‘Oliebollen’ – fried dough balls with powdered sugar.

In Amsterdam though, they manage to keep things (sort of) in balance. It’s not THAT hysterical, with a whole city turned into one big winter parade. But if you want it, you can get it.

So if you want it, where can you get it? Well, here!

-Every year in mid-to-late December, the pool on Amsterdam’s Museumplein (around the corner of the Flying Pig Uptown) becomes an ice-skating rink, surrounded by stalls selling hot chocolate and poffertjes (tiny traditional Dutch pancakes). So after you did your cultural ‘Van Gogh’ thing, hang out here for a while.

Photo © Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions

-Ice Skating Rink on Amsterdam’s famous Leidseplein (5 minutes walk from the Flying Pig Uptown). Skate in the neon glow of party-heaven Leidseplein beginning mid-November. Of course they sell poffertjes and other winter treats there too.

-The Winterparade at Westerpark (16-26 December). The park itself is a great cultural place you should visit anyways. Read more here.

Oh and by the way, just strolling down the streets will do the trick as well; the canals are beautiful with all bridges covered in lights, and the shopping streets and squares seem to have a competition going on who’s got the best decoration, most of them very subtle and charming. Not so subtle but not to miss: the massive Christmas tree on Dam square.

The love lives of the piggies

Amsterdam is known for being very open and sexually liberating. Some people come here to experiment and have the excuse, “Well, I am in Amsterdam.” It’s not just the fact there are girls standing in windows beckoning to you while you walk past, but people in the city are generally more accepting of any sexual orientation. Since the topic of sex is so public, no one cares what or who you do.

But what goes on behind the doors of The Pig? What happens when the ‘bar closed’ sign is up, and “Single Ladies” by Beyonce is blasting on repeat?

Realistically, people are usually too stoned to hook up. However, there is the odd get together thanks to our Queen sized beds and drink specials to enhance the connection between you and your new backpacking boyfriend. When there isn’t a big bed to be had, and you’re in a 32 person dorm, you have to be creative when it comes to hooking up. Of course, it’s a natural urge, and traveling can be lonely, so here are some hypothetical places to hook up at any non-specific hostel.

A linen room provides comfort and privacy, but not usually accessible to guests. Also, strong repercussions if caught. Which makes it a bit more exciting anyway.

Private showers are ideal, but a bit cold with tile floors. A blanket and candles would set the mood. If it gets too hot and steamy, a cold shower is just an arm’s reach away. Also handy if the candles set fire to the blanket.

An elevator for a short endeavour. Depends on how big the hostel is and if there’s an emergency stop button.

In a dorm room for the exhibitionist. Not pleasant for the other guests not gettin’ any though. Sheets can be put up for privacy, but nothing will act well for soundproofing.

But what about the staff?

The Pig family is a bit incestuous for the fact that a few couples have sprung from the pack. It’s always a gamble with inter-Pig dating. If there’s an awkward break up it would put a damper on our vibe- but that hasn’t been an issue in the 10 months I’ve been here. The couples that have gotten together happily work side by side. We all spend so much time together and know each other so well, that getting into a relationship wouldn’t be with haste. It would be thought through and the accepting of wild behaviour on both sides taken into account.

Not too many random hookups between staff has occurred. We’ll have a naked party in a park, climb all over each other at the bar, kiss and hug every time we say hi or bye, but not push it beyond those loving friendly boundaries. Usually. At big staff parties it’s not unusual to have staff kissing each other. In a harmless way of course. We just like each other a lot.

Staff hooking up with guests is a different story.

It’s more socially acceptable for Whappers to hook up with guests, because they live at the hostel and are more integrated with the people staying here. Getting involved with a guest always has its issues. You have to accept that the person is leaving. Usually within the week.

With some hookups this is a good thing. You pretend to be upset while dragging their luggage to the exit.

Sometimes they don’t leave fast enough. They ‘missed their flight’ and have to stay for an extra week. You can’t make any excuses of having to work, because they will know.

Repeat offenders can be an issue as well. With no warning you see a familiar face from months ago that you just can’t place…

Some guests have decided to not leave Amsterdam at all after that magical night, and start showing up at the hostel everyday while you’re hiding behind the bar. Eventually you have to make a note on the intranet to not let that person in.

The other side of getting with a guest, is when you fall in love with them. The people that The Pig attract are very cool, laid back and relaxed. It’s a wonder how this kind of thing doesn’t happen all the time.

In the back of your head you’ve accepted the fact that they are leaving, but sometimes it cannot be helped. You have an instant connection with the person no matter how long they are in your life for. It would be cynical to think there isn’t a point in getting close with the people passing by. You always learn something about yourself and experience new things.

It still always hurts. Saying goodbye doesn’t get easier with practice. It’s a good thing Amsterdam is a place that brings people back. It’s nice that no one ever really says goodbye to the city or to The Pig for that matter.

It’s easy to fall in love on vacation, more so at The Pig. Everything seems so magical, easy and non-committal. You make the best of the time you have together, doing amazing things in amazing places.

It’s an age old dilemma working at a hostel. To not get too attached to the people briefly flitting through your life. Especially when you are used to traveling around, meeting close friends for a couple days at a time, then both going your separate ways. It’s very possible to see the people again in other famous cities and other famous hostels. It’s different however, when they leave and you stay where you are.

That’s one reason why all the piggies are so close. It’s our longing for stable relationships, even if it is for a month or two.

It’s also always nice to have guests come back. They enjoy being welcomed by familiar faces at reception, and we too enjoy seeing a guest’s face again. They usually start their trip here and end there trip here, with great stories from the in between. Not to mention the returned guest gets a couple free welcome back drinks.

Some people can easily get over and move on from the person they spent a wonderful week with. For others, it’s not that easy. The most important thing to remember while getting involved with someone at The Pig, is to regret nothing and go for it.

You only live once, but you can love a million times over.