The Trip - Prologue

There were two double beds in the room, of which I was spread out on one. An empty box lay on the floor. Its wrapping had been torn open unceremoniously not long before. I was not alone. There were three others with me. I knew them all well. In fact, we were related. G lay on the other bed and Z and Bj had dragged chairs in front of the TV in the far corner. A film was on. Something about stigmata and Bj was already stood in crucifixion pose.

The day had started normally enough with one of those continental breakfasts; ham, cheese and a hard boiled egg. Having decided that this was a meal fit for a Princess, not a King, we were off out of the hotel in search of a decent pub to get a full fry up. What is it about the bacon and sausages you get though in mainland Europe? They're just not the same as back home and don't even get me started about some of the attempts at baked beans I've had ' comical! It was cold outside and walking down the Damrak you could see chunks of ice in the canal. We crossed and disappeared into the warren of streets behind.

The place we found was alright to be fair and the food was washed down very nicely indeed with a few pints. It was pretty busy in there considering it was only about 11 o'clock by this time but then I suppose they were all there doing the same sorts of things we were doing; getting wasted on a lads weekend away. On leaving, the sunlight grated against my eyes and we started heading back the way we came.

"I just need to get some rizla, said G to no one in particular.

And that's when it all went wrong.

We filed into the shop behind him and soon it wasn't just papers that had taken our fancy.

"What are these mushrooms like mate? Bj asked the guy behind the till.
"Good, came the response in a heavily Dutch-tinged accent.
"Strong?
"Oh yes!

Then it was back to the room to get munching. Twenty minutes later and I was bitching that they didn't work but I had spoken too soon. The guy from the shop's last words reverberated around my head, "Have a safe flight.