Koninginnenach&dag!

Monday night was the beginning of a fun filled 24-hours! Around eight in the evening, Fiona had a spur-of-the-moment idea that we should spend "Koninginnenach" in The Hague! So after getting permission from our parents of course, we all hopped on our bikes and headed to the metro station.

The Hague was very crowded, with music blasting in the main central square of the city. Thousands of people clad in bright orange attire and relatively drunk filled the streets. Everyone was in celebration mode; so happy! We spent the evening dancing, walking around, singing along to songs that we barely knew, and ended up meeting some pretty interesting people. By twelve o'clock we were running back to the station, just in time to catch the last metro home!

The next morning we met up in Bergschenhoek, which was so crowded that I couldn't even bike through the streets! On both sides of the main street, families and friends were selling their belongings- sort of like ongoing garage sales, one after the other. Kids with orange paint on their faces, or the red-white-and-bllue flag painted on their cheeks, ran around looking to buy new toys. Live music was played in the center of town, and everyone was wearing something orange. French-fry stands, waffle, and even cotton candy stands were also mixed in the chaos! We walked around for an hour or two, discussing our plans for the day.

We ended up hopping on the bus to Leiden, which is a really student-filled city. The bus we rode was so full that eventually the driver had to just close the door and drive off, leaving fifty more people waiting at the bus stop. All students of course, most of whom weren't sober. Queens Day is the experience of a lifetime, if not to just people watch!

I had never been to Leiden before, and I'm glad I did. It was so much fun celebrating Queens Day there! We happened to also run into a few guys that we had met in The Hague, which is one of the most coincidental things that can ever happen in the Netherlands! What are the chances.

Once again, thousands of people filled the streets. I saw people kayaking and even swimming in the canals! I also heard lots of english-speaking people; I guess it's a popular tourist attraction. I can see why! It's literally just twenty-four hours of celebration, music, drinking, eating, dancing, festivals, etc.

We ended up going to the Tent Feest in Pijnacker around eight, which was a party under a big white tent with live music and once again, full of people dancing. For once, I ran into many people I knew, mostly from school. I will be going to the same type of Feest on the 11th of May, where famous Dutch artists will be performing such as Roel van Velzen (from The Voice of Holland), and Memphis Maniacs.

Today, Pascale, Beau and I made pannenkoeken, painted our nails, and watched Muriel's Wedding. Tim had a Lord of the Rings Marathon at home with some classmates (as in 10 hours of Lord of the Rings....) and I thought nail polish and pancakes sounded better for my taste.

Beau and I went running again this evening, which is always gezellig en lekker gezond! Tomorrow we all might go shopping, or just do something fun together. Maddie comes in less than ten days! I am so excited.

-Molly