1. I got up early because I made the decision the day before to ride my bike to work and catch the church bus from there to the 10AM service. It's not actually a church bus, but I've named it that to remember that bus 22 to the word that starts with a D and contains a Z goes to church. Don't ask me to pronounce it. It was a really good idea to test the wheels out early as there were no cars out at 9:15AM when I started. This city starts late on Sundays. Anyways, no issues, only got lost one time....and by lost, meaning I didn't understand how to make a left turn onto a particular street as there wasn't a bike lane. But no matter, I made it just fine with plenty of time to catch the church bus.
2. Made it to church again...for those that are counting, that's 3 times in 7 days. I made it on Ash Wednesday as well. It was a nice service with a good tie in between Leviticus and Romans (old covenant, new covenant). It's the contemporary service at 10...one though was a hymn to guitar. That gets me excited...I love that. Another was a great song we used to sing at Trinity a lot..."Give us clean hands". I love the part about being a generation that seeks His face. They did the thing where new people stood up and introduced themselves. This time there were new people from Scotland, Singapore, Poland and Holland. Such a great dynamic.
3. After church I grabbed some snacks at the Albert Heijn right next to church and headed back on the church bus to work. I worked for about 2 hours and then grabbed my bike to see if I could make it back home. Everything went well until I got to the street that I got lost on the first time. The bike lane just ends! No idea what to do in that scenario....so I got flustered and tried to break to fast, then tried to put down my feet and then just slow motion fell to the right onto the sidewalk. Thankfully not hurt, but pride was a bit dampered. I was doing so well! Oh well. Got some road rash to prove I'm falling for the Dutch. If someone tells me I should get a bike this week again, I will say not only do I have one, but show them my bruised up knee and scabs to prove it. I saved my face - no more scars on the face!
4. I made it home, took a cat nap and then decided to go the museum that's housing the Mauritshuis Dutch masters that RS recommends. The museum is closed until 2014 for renovations, but a lot of the masterpieces are being shown at the Gemeentemuseum . Don't ask me how to pronounce either of those. I decided to take the tram as my butt was feeling the bike...I felt like I needed one of those geriatric donut seats. TMI? Sorry. The Gemeentemuseum is a mess. I couldn't figure out where to go or what to see. Thankfully they took the museumkaart so I could go back any time, but I think it will be awhile before I decide to do that. I think RS gives the Mauritshuis 2 pyramids...the Gemeentemuseum doesn't register on that scale. That's appropriate. I enjoyed the paintings they had on display from the Mauritshuis, but the rest of it was modern art and the like. Not a fan.
First I saw a special exhibit on Delft pottery. Anyone need a vase?
Then there was another special exhibit of a famous Dutch art dealer who has collected 100s of famous paintings over the years. The exhibit featured only paintings he has either bought or sold over the years:
That's a Monet - scenes from Normany. Really neat.
After that, I couldn't take pictures. The famous Mauritshuis painting is the "Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Vermeer....it wasn't there. Out on tour. Bummer. They did however have a Hendrick Avercamp, who is quickly becoming my favorite Dutch artist:
Other than that, there were a few Rembrants (almost all self portraits, except for a gruesome picture of anatomy class for surgeons. ewww.), one Van Gogh that I could find and a few Steens, Vermeers and Hals. Nothing to get that excited about. Disappointed that the pearl earring girl was on tour. I don't think I can say I've seen Dutch art until I've seen her...she's that iconic.
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5. After that, I wandered the area and found a new pedestrian only shopping area with some interesting looking cafes. For another time.
6. I took the bus back and headed to Noordeine (street with the palace ). I tried Bubble tea for the first time, which I'm not sure I can describe. It was good. I read a bit on my iPad and then headed to O'Casey's for a pint and some snacks. I got a table this time, which was nice and watched a football game between 2 teams whom I have no idea what country they are from. I think Belgium because they were sponsored by Jupiler (Belgian goodness beer), but no idea. I met 2 guys - both claiming to be Irish, but I'm not entirely sure. One of them started speaking to me in Dutch at the beginning and then when I said I only spoke English, he started talking in English with a heavy Dutch accent. Anyways, man of indeterminant nationality continued by asking me where I was from, what I was doing in the Hague...nice conversation. I repeated the exchange to him and he said he was in town studying the art of love. Two things wrong with this: a) he was too old to be studying anything b) SERIOUSLY, that's the pick up line you use? Gross. Called it an early night at that point.
7. On the way back, I did a bit of window shopping for the strangest clothing and/or advertisements I could find. Here is what I came across:
First, ladies, for that night out on the town, who doesn't have a pair of spiky gold roller skates. I mean if you don't, your wardrobe is incomplete.
For real, when you are headed out, the ultimate accessory is roller skates. Particularly if you are 13 and headed to hang out with the boy you are "going with" at the roller rink.
Finally, who doesn't wear their hair like this? I asked my hair guy here in the Hague to give me this look and he said I didn't have enough hair. I'm now in the process of looking for a wig so that I can fit in with these very cool manequins.
I think you need a pair of those spiking skates in case you encounter you "Irish" friend again. Kick and flee!!
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