Queen's Day takes place in the Netherlands each year on the 30th of April. It is one part yardsale ("vrijmarkt") and one part drunken street party. Everyone wears orange, kids and old people sell useless trinkets on the roadside and at least 237 new Dutch citizens are brought into existence...
I got a late start this year (Queen's Night didn't end for me until 5am...) and riding my bike into the Jordaan was something I'll never forget. While I love a good party, I'm prone to panic attacks when surrounded by hot, sweaty randoms (HSRs). I was moments away from throwing my rusted old bike into a tiny Michael Jackson impersonator, beating two hippies with a facepaint station with their own brushes and crawling back into bed, slowly stroking my orange boa.
Once I made it to Ben and Sima's houseboat, all was well. This year, the weather was perfect, the company was gezellig and the only terrible thing that happened was being pick-pocketed in Dam square. Oh well... it's the price you pay to honor Beatrix.
Sam is great. That's why he has a champion medallion.
Elaine, Julie and Sima
These weren't mine.
I stole them.
The Jordaan
Haley and Chapman attached a Winnie the Pooh to a fishing pole. They asked passersby to "wish on the Pooh" and asked for donations. They made about 7 Euros.
Some Dutchies did NOT think their wish would come true.
100% of the people* I asked to make a wish followed through. I should go into sales. Or consulting.
*and by "people" I obviously mean suckers...
Chapman and Haley's fortunes!
My new boyfriend.
Dirty dirty
Chapman needs to take it easy.
I don't remember taking any of these pictures.
Haley got a Homer hat. Ha!
Two hours later, the bridge looks exactly the same...
The end.
What amazing memories.
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