Giving It Up for Amsterdam

Tourism boards are finally getting that Facebook is a great way to promote themselves. Sydney offered up a trip down under as a Facebook contest, and even Auschwitz has its own page for promotional purposes. Amsterdam has thrown its clogs 'n' tulips 'n' hash in the ring, offering up a cool contest to win a trip to the stoner city; the catch is you really have to give something up. You enter your information and snap a photo of something you're willing to trade for the free trip to Amsterdam (which includes airfare, a three-night stay at the Lloyd Hotel (breakfast included), topped off with one free dinner). Whatever you're trading in for the trip will be gifted to the Lloyd Hotel and showcased in their lobby.

('’)

The only guideline is that the item for trade must be “a prized possession that invokes the conceptual, almost art-like spirit of Dutch design.” The contest launched on Wednesday, and currently there are only four entries up on the page. If the contest were decided today, let’s see who would win.

Contestant number one: Katherine Hoppe. She’s willing to give up her husband and some homemade bathtub hootch. Minus one for the hokey “Take my wife, please” gag, but plus one for the homemade hootch. That kind of moonshine will get you plenty wasted, and we all know the Dutch know how to party. Net: 0

Contestant number two: Karl Bostedt. He’s willing to give up, well, I’m not sure. He’s submitted a photo of himself riding a giant red hot pepper. Minus five for not following any directions whatsoever. And another minus two for wearing a straw hat indoors while riding a red pepper. Net: -7

Contestant number three: James Whitbord. He’s willing to give up his super secret recipe for BBQ ribs. If it wasn’t for this potential trip to Amsterdam he says he’d have to kill you if he told you what it was. He’s serious. Plus one for actually submitting something he seems to care about. Minus one for the rando I’m-on-the-beach-wearing-sunglasses photo. Net: 0

Contestant number 4: Martin Stoll. He’s willing to trade the Universe. And by “Universe” he means a painting titled Universe. Minus one for the ultra-cheesy title of his entry. Plus five for being the only contestant to attempt to follow the one directive given and come up with something for trade that “invokes the conceptual, almost art-like spirit of Dutch design.” Net: 4

So, Mr. Stoll, today you would be crowned winner. However, the contest is definitely not over, in fact it runs until December 7, when entries stop being accepted and the judging and public voting begins. The winner will be announced December 21. If you’d like a chance to win, (it seems your odds are still really good) enter here.