Amsterdam, April 2004

Koninginnedag

Koninginnedag  was the highlight of my Amsterdam trip, not to say that the walking and canal tours are not worth the visit in their own right.  "On the Queen's birthday, the whole city becomes a gigantic street party.  The locals sell bric-a-brac from stalls outside their houses, there's a fair in Dam Square, and the people dressed in monarchist orange throng the streets.  Music blares, fireworks fill the night, and the party goes on till dawn"  Top 10 Amsterdam


Yes, this is all true...but somewhat British understated.  They do mean THE WHOLE CITY.  If a boat can move under its own power, it was probably going down the canals with as many people, drinking, dancing and generally enjoying themselves as much as possible on board.  Over a million people flock to Amsterdam to celebrate.  The tram service is completely shut down in the central city.  Train service continues into Centraal Station until it becomes unsafe as people, unable to get in via other routes, will start walking down the railroad tracks!!! 

	As I mentioned, there was no tram service for Queens Day, so we walked all the way from Centraal Station to the Museum Plein, where the Van Gogh museum (and the Rijksmusium, and the major concert for Koninginnedag) was located.  We were first in line for the Van Gogh museum (we saw the Rijksmusium on the previous trip) and then had lots of time for the days' festivities.
	Top 10 Amsterdam lists as #9 of things to avoid - Getting Caught Short "Though there are (albeit very public) men's conveniences on some streets, women are very poorly provided for." Very public, is an understatement. A blow up of a small portion of the picture above shows a 'very public' men's convenience - you really could not call it a men's room, could you?  The procedure is to stand facing inward and 'let it all hang out' and, after a few moments, put things back in order and feel like a new man. I neither noticed nor could have guessed the reason for these objects, until much beer drinking has had its visible effect on the male population later in the day,
	Orange was the color of the day and the celebrants came in all ages, sizes and shapes...and shapely shapes some were.  I was not able to get  one photo of three teenagers strutting down the road, wearing black micro mini skirts (as only very young gals can get away with it) and orange tights.  Basia even commented on what a good shot it would have been but with the crowds I could not get close enough for the shot. However, I was able to get the one that at least shows the stride (lower left).  And, as I said, this was very much a 'family' style party for all ages as can be seen on the face of the little girl, sitting on her dad's shoulders, taking in the sights around her.  These people do know how to party and do it in a good way.
And two pictures of the processions down the canals below

The morning after Koningsinnedag we got up very, very early to catch a plane to London and then from there to US to witness our granddaughters baptism in Massachusetts.

General Observations

Canals

Travelogue