The People You Meet in Amsterdam Coffeeshops is a series of candid conversations with coffeeshop patrons about life, cannabis, and everything in between. In our first installment, Catherina tells us about the time she met a Romanian bubble king, the process of holding onto good energy, and why being a street artist is the best job she’s ever had.
Name: Catherina
Hometown: Amsterdam
Age: 57
Cannabis preference:Haze sativa
Met at:Katsu
Catherina poses for a photo at Katsu coffeeshop in Amsterdam. (Karina Hof for Leafly)
Leafly: What do you do?
Catherina: I make magic bubbles. I’m a street artist.
Are these your wands?
These are my magic sticks.
And you have soap that you add?
Yes, a special solution, which makes the viscosity of the bubbles better.
How is the work?
It’s the best job I ever had. It also brings me deeper into myself because I have to hold onto my good energy. Some people are very bold and very rude, and they take everything—they give me nothing in return. I find that self-confronting because I just want to make the people happy.
Is it a problem when it’s raining, which it often is in Amsterdam?
Actually not. The people walk by fast, so I wait until the rain passes. Like today, I finished early, because with this wind—I mean, you feel the people are restless.
What gave you the idea to do this?
I met this Romanian bubble king and he offered to teach me. It was at a café. That was in August, and I was like: “Nooo, that’s not for me. We are not going to pollute the planet with soap.” [laughs] And well, one and a half months later, I tried. He taught me, and we did it for a long time together. Then he left for warmer places, and I’m still on Dam Square.
Are you the only bubble-maker there?
No, sometimes others appear. But they are always quickly disappearing because they are not content with the money in the basket.
Do you remember the best idea you have had while high?
That question doesn’t cover my experience. I can have good ideas when I’m not stoned; I can have good ideas when I’m stoned—no difference. I have very high tolerance. The first time I smoked I was younger: Nothing, nothing happened to me. Only in the late 90s when the THC in the weed was increased, it had some effect on me. I smoke sometimes, and then I don’t smoke. I’m not a very regular smoker.
So it’s more fluid for you?
Yes.
Like bubbles?
Like the bubbles. It comes, and it goes.
This interview has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
Lead image: Karina Hof for Leafly.
