Queen's Day in the Mind's Eye

Never heard of Queen's Day? Well Blogger hadn't either until a few months ago when his Rutch (Russian Dutch) roommate and a group of fun loving Dutch second year students convinced him, and close to 100 other students to sign their lives away for a funfilled three day weekend.

Funfilled indeed, so much so that Blogger had to leave the country two days early in order to guarantee that he would be only slightly retarded when he returned. The jury is still out on whether his plan succeeded in avoiding the, let's say unique frame of mind associated with most Dutch people (sorry Lena, but you're all a bit off kilter), but he did manage to bring home some interesting pictures.

Blogger's first night in Amsterdam was lovely, especially the canals which snake through the streets like...well, a snake.


Franchise and Lamberto particularly appreciate the ability to purchase hot mystery meat sandwiches out of the coin operated vending windows......



....though Blogger still prefers the quality personal service of
Dutch high school dropouts wearing silly hats, ie McDonalds.
(just for the record, Blogger has not eaten at a McDonalds, Dutch or otherwise, for
several years, except breakfast which doesn't count)

The next morning, Amsterdam had morphed into its evil Orange twin Damnamster, and it was clear that Queen's Day would be a very, very orange Dutchstravaganza. Who knew just how orange it would be.


It was impossible not to see the entire city through Orange Colored glasses, though Blogger has a sneaking suspicion that the fellow with the giant orange whistle
had no idea it was Queen's day and dresses like this on a regular basis.

Canals, which the night before had been quiet, picturesque visions of Dutch serenity
had become raucous, overflowing cesspools of Dutch insanity.

Gustavo couldn't hide his excitement about finally finding an occasion to wear his orange feather boa. That is, the first time in public and with clothes on.

By mid day, and after a few dozen beers on a canal (or carnal) barge, Blogger's friend's began morphing into English versions of giant Umpa Lumpa's, ala Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Italian Version....

Rutch version...



Even Blogger couldn't escape the Queen's Day Orange Virus.

The most exciting point on the boat was when we were boarded by a group of Mexican pirates.
This is their Captain, Ina.

How can someone wearing a Miss Dutchiverse sash look so mean?
Cheer up Grumpster, its Queen's Day!

These girls got into the Dutch spirit of selling things on the side of the street by playing musical instruments. (Many illicit jokes could follow about Dutch women selling things on the side of the road, but even Blogger has his standards)

Blogger got caught by this boot wearer's boyfriend taking pictures of said boots. His attempt to explain the artistic value of the shot didn't work, so he pretended to throw a tennis ball
in the opposite direction, temporarily distracting the would be assailant before running
away.

God bless you macro settings.

And God Bless you too Herr Herring.
You are especially delicious with pickles.

Early the next morning, the pure Orange delight of Queen's Day had begun to fade from our rosey cheeks. Lamberto could not be wooed by the solicitations of the Dutch female, no matter how hard she tried.


Blogger and Franchise Lewis tried their best to revitalize the missing Dutch magic through imbibing mysterious Orange potions.

But even that had its limits, as by 7:30 am Franchise was slowly devolving into a homeless Dutch vagabond, collecting miscellaneous articles of clothing along the side of the road........

...and the glorious Orange Dutch Glow that had emanated from Blogger just hours before....

.....was now just a reflection in his burnt out mind.