We got a boat! We also got 2 euro pump, but it had a massive hole at the bottom. We ended up spending about half an hour trying with the pump. It took about fifteen minutes to finish it up by mouth after the pump idea really didn't work.
Rum from Czech Republic
And then there was Koningsdag the next day! (King's Day). I went to Amsterdam with two friends. Basically the day's focus is on celebrating the King's birthday (in theory) by eating good food, selling old household things in front of homes, and dressing in orange. Thousands of happy strangers crowd onto the street, brightly dressed. Later on during the day it became a bit of a drunk fest as hundreds of boats floated down canals and the younger children went home. The streets got more crowded and we had to slowly worm our way through the narrow streets, sometimes getting stuff painted on our cheeks as we were held in place by happy cheering people. All in all, it was another very interesting way to explore this somewhat crazy culture! I mean... garage sales all over the place to celebrate the King's birthday...? But these crazy Dutchman do know how to have a good time!
This is after I pulled off my super annoying orange eyelashes. I do have an orange shirt on under my sweater though! And orange sunglasses and flip-flops!
Part 2 of exploring Netherlands culture was visiting tulip fields, the Keukenhof. Just under a million visitors come in the short blooming period, it is very much a tourist attraction. For good reason. Here's some pics!
Did you know that the word 'tulip' comes from 'turban?' Apparently the Turks (who made tulips popular) thought that they looked like turbans!
Being happy forgetting about the art of gracefulness and hiding purses on pictures :)
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This is not a great picture, but the only one I have of the three of us. An older, really wonderful couple from Lekkerkerk took us. They were a lot of fun.
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And then I met a Bohemian princess. And lived happily ever after!
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