After leaving Friday at 1:30pm out of Seattle, the days smooshed together and I landed at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands this morning at 8:00am. The flight itself was uneventful. But before the flight I nearly had a panic attack when I thought that they were evicting me off the plane (when in fact they were upgrading me to World Business Class). It's easy to be paranoid when you hear stories of people being kicked off the plane for no reason. That's one of the few things that hasn't happened to me yet, so I figured it was my time.
But it wasn't and, typical to Schiphol efficiency, I was through customs and had my luggage waiting for me, all within 20 minutes. A few minutes after that, The DutchBitch arrived and we were off to catch-up on all the fabulous things that have happened in our lives since I was last here in October. From there, it was off to have delicious Patatjes Met (fries with mayonnaise) and an Old Cheese Sandwich (which means "aged cheese sandwich"... I hope)...
Deliciousness and two orgasms ensued.
After lunch, we were off to Den Haag (The Hague) on a rainy Saturday so we could go to the Escher Museum...
As I've mentioned before, my favorite flower is the crocus. And while I may be a week or two early for tulip season, the crocuses are in bloom everywhere...
The M.C. Escher Museum was, as expected, incredible...
Just down the street is the American Embassy which, as so often is the case, looks like a boxy pile of crap. Apparently, we're being asked to move because any time the embassy needs to be secured, they end up having to close down a busy street and public area...
As we were walking through the pouring rain back to the car, I asked The Dutch Bitch if all the golden metal I was seeing everywhere was real gold...
She replied "But of course. The Netherlands is so fantastically wealthy that we cover everything in real gold!" Apparently the sewer grates are due to be gilded in gold next week.
Since The Dutch Bitch wanted to make Greek Salad for dinner, we stopped at the grocery store. Visiting foreign grocery stores is always a fun experience because of the strange stuff you find there. This time, I was surprised to see that they sell Cat Milk here. I'd think that a cat would be a difficult animal to milk, but there it was...
The milking machine for a cat must be very tiny indeed.
I don't know that I'd want to abandon cow's milk for cat's milk... but it's nice to know I have options.
And thus ends my first two days of vacation smooshed into one.
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I’ve always been curious about the staircases and escalators in the Escher museum…
Sounds like a great start on a holiday! I really want to visit the M.C. Escher museum too!
Hope things will continue being great on your trip.
Why do straight boys get to have all of the fun?? Minus that disgusting mayonnaise. Ick. I sang in Den Haag in 1982.
No…just no. Cat milk…I’m sorry…the Dutch just went too far.
Those crocuses are almost as beautiful as the patatjes…
The US embassy here in Oslo is the same: Ugly, blocking off a major thoroughfare, and being moved…eventually. Problem is no one wants it in their neighborhood.
The Isreali embassy is nearby and they have to move too, for same reason.
The Escher museum looks fab….
That sandwich looks so fucking awesome.
The crocuses are BEAUTIFUL!
I love the skull. Looooove.
Milking cats… what has this world come to? Well, they milked rats in an episode of the Simpsons. I suppose it was about time they found a new source.
I really, really, really, really want to try Patatjes Met. You rave about this every time. Too bad you can’t bring some back. Or maybe I can find a source for it here in the states.
Cat milk does wonders for lowering one’s cholesterol — truly the Dutch are an advanced people! Make sure you only buy cat milk that has been certified as “Fair Trade”, though: cats deserve to receive an equal value of mice in exchange for their milk. STOP CAT EXPLOITATION!
OMG what I would not DO for the skull chandelier!!!!
It sounds like a fabulous time so far. Enjoy your time and DutchBitch!
my mom’s favorite flower is the crocus and i have her favorite artwork hanging in my bedroom (purple crocuses blooming in the snow). been missing mom a bunch recently. today while getting caught up on blogs i had the pleasure of enjoying your vacation through your camera lens when BLAM, there were just the flowers i needed to see. thanks for sharing your photos, dave. as you know, i truly love and appreciate them.
hope your birthday is the best ever!