April 30, 2012

Koninginnedag or Queen's Day is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Celebrated on 30 April (the 29th if the 30th falls on a Sunday), Koninginnedag is Queen Beatrix's official celebration day. Though Queen Beatrix was born on 31 January, the holiday is observed on 30 April as it was the birthday of her mother and predecessor, Juliana. Many of the traditional activities are held outside, and observing the holiday in April makes suitable weather more likely.

The holiday was first observed on 31 August 1885 as Prinsessedag or Princess's Day, the fifth birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, heiress to the Dutch throne. On her accession, the holiday acquired its present name, Koninginnedag. When held on 31 August the holiday was the final day of school summer vacation, leading to its popularity among children. Following the accession of Wilhelmina's daughter Queen Juliana in 1948, the holiday was moved to her birthday. Her daughter, Beatrix retained the celebration on 30 April after she took the throne in 1980. Beatrix altered her mother's custom of receiving a floral parade near a royal palace, instead choosing to visit different Dutch towns each year and join in the festivities. 

Koninginnedag is known for its nationwide vrijmarkt ("free market" or flea market), at which many Dutch sell their secondhand items. It is also an opportunity for "orange madness" or oranjegekte, for the national colour, when the normally straight-laced Dutch let down their hair, often dyed orange for the occasion.

So Mikey and I were in Holland on April 30 and had the chance to celebrate Koninginnedag!!! We had an awesome day!!! Of course we had to dress in Orange :)

We are on the way to one of the Free Markets

Mikey found a stand where they sold Ferrari's. He was soooo happy!!!!

Here he is buying a boat from a girl and is handing her 2 euros :)

A whole box of cars, I am sure he can find one for 50 cents!

My friend Bernardina and her mom and her son. They were selling things on the free market

Marie-Louise, Eveline, Ramon, Christiaan and Bernardina

A boy doing acrobatic moves to try and earn some money

Mikey and Mommy on the market

Mikey blowing at a dandelion

Later in the day we went to one of the towns where I used to live: Laren. It's so picturesque

A young girl walking on wooden shoes. I used to wear them when I was young!

Mikey playing the drums

Me and my friend Sandra got together for a drink

Her friend was singing in a Cuban band, Mikey loved it and was dancing to the music later

What a FUN day and no rain!!!!!

April 29, 2012

I only had a few days in Holland, so I wasn't able to see everyone. I saw my friend Bernardina and her daughter Eveline. Mikey loved playing at their house!!

 I tried to spend as much time with my family as possible, so Neta (my sis) showed me around her neighborhood. I love the windmill

 Cute little street next to the playground

 Roy and Mikey were able to let go off some energy :)

One day I visited my dad in his new factory. My brother Ron's friend Philip works there and he also takes care of my brothers Rhodesian Ridgeback Max. That dog is so big and strong!!

My dad was playing with Mikey on the forklift in the factory. Mikey loved it!!!

 My dad and his girlfriend Michele live in a very cute little house

 Michele enjoying the very rare sun in Holland (I was freezing, had to go back inside :) )

 Mikey is obsessed with the cat Storm. He loves it when Storm is laying on the car.

 My dad, Mikey and I went for some real dutch poffertjes (little pancakes with butter and sugar)... yum!!!

 My dad is showing Mikey the little ducklings in the pond

 Sunday we went to a playground near my dad's house and Roy came too!!

After the playground we had poffertjes (again!!) I love poffertjes :)

April 23, 2012

On April 21 we all went to Heathrow Airport. Robert was flying back to Hyderabad (Coach), Mikey and I were flying to Amsterdam (Coach) and Jules and Claudia were flying back to Miami (business class). We all wanted to go to the business lounge before our flights but since only Claudia and Jules were flying business class, we were denied access to the lounge. Claudia started crying because she didn't expect to say good-bye yet. Since the British didn't like a 'scene' in front of the lounge, one of the British Airways attendants came up to us and asked us to 'move along'. Claudia's face just dropped and she said: I'm not even allowed to cry on British Airways?!'. We all thought the attendant was asking us to leave, instead they made an exception and we were all allowed in the lounge. Robert said that he had never tried the crying approach to get into a lounge but that he was going to keep it in consideration for the future. We all laughed so hard and we were able to spend a few more hours together!!!!

Mikey and I stayed with my brother Uri, his wife Neta and my nephew Roy. Roy is 2 years older than Mikey and they had a great time together. We went to a nearby park and took a 'train' ride, then went to the playground. The boys had a blast!

 Uri was so sweet as to keep pushing Mikey and Roy

April 23, Mikey and I went to the village where I grew up to go visit my younger brother Ehud. We enjoyed seeing the tulips :)

The house I grew up in

 My brother Ehud, his girlfriend Caroline and her son Mylian. They just moved in with Ehud and they are all so cute together!!! Her son is the sweetest boy!!!

 Ehud took Mikey out on his tricycle. Mikey loved it of course!!!!

Mikey, Me, Ehud and Mylian

We had a fun day with my little brother, who isn't so little anymore :)