Netherlands • Day 3, 4, 5
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Man, this is an enjoyable country.
Yesterday I got to play with Regina & Nita. Regina owns the store Pien's Atelier that I will be coming back to visit in February 2006 (there is a cool link on here site in the upper left corner that lets you view it in English). Our first stop was the Van Gogh museum which was amazing. The coolest thing for me was seeing how thick he layered on the paint. You can not experience that texture when looking at a print. I brought my scrapbook-on-the-road with me and wrote down my impressions as I walked around - totally worked great for recording my feelings as I was experiencing them in the moment. I wanted to buy Van Gogh's book of letters while I was there but they were all sold out of the English edition.
I am fascinated with Van Gogh. About his ability to capture the atmosphere of a place. About his ability to bring something to life with so many tiny strokes. So much movement in each of those marks. So much of the story told through the imperfections of his brush. I love the life that comes through in many of his paintings from the middle of his life.
Not only am I fascinated with his art, but with his words as well. Throughout the museum they had quotes on the walls detailing some of his statements...
After the museum and a nice cup of coffee for Nita and I - Regina had tea - we headed to an open air market with tons of things to see and photograph. Lots of fruit and vegetable stands, cheese stands, clothing, toys, fabric, ribbon and awesome people watching. It was such a nice day. And the weather held on perfectly.
And you know what? Today, I am 30. Pretty cool to be spending my birthday here in the Netherlands. Doing things I never imagined I would be doing in my life. Maybe dreamed about...but boy am I thankful and so very glad.
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129 comments
Blessed Birthday! I'm a scrapper from Singapore and I love your works!
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Happy Birthday Ali! I knew there was something special about this day! :-) Enjoy yourself! Celebrate YOU! Smile! Take lots of pictures, we love ya!
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I took a whole course in University on Van Gogh! He is my all time favorite artist. Very fascinating.
Have a Happy Happy Birthday in the Netherlands!
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Happy Birthday, Ali. I am so jealous that you are in The Netherlands.... I am 100% Dutch and have never been there! Enjoy!
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happy happy - very happy birthday!
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happy bday ali :) not sure if youre checking email as well.. but if you get a chance peek at my blog ;)
i'm sooooooo jealous that you went to the van gogh museum!!! i can only imagine how inspiring it was.... thank you for writing about it and letting me briefly live in the moment hehehe
OF COURSE you would take pics of the cheese and bread stands ;)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I would sing, but then again, you wouldn't want to listen to it, believe me.
Have a blessed and memorable day! Don't ask me why exactly, but birthday number 30 marks a very important transition in a woman's life. I hope your 30s will bring you more happiness, peace, love, wisdom and more life adventures! Enjoy every minute of your day!
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Happy Birthday, ALI!!!! Looks like you're having an amazing time!
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I am SOO jealous..you have no idea. I LOVED the netherlands. Loved it. I know you are having a great time..and the photo of the cheese totally makes me happy...sigh..I love the cheese. lol Happy birthday friend! Hope it is a good one! :) miley
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Happy birthday Ali!
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Happy Birthday Ali!! What a great treat to spend such an important milestone birthday doing something that you had only dreamed about. I am loving reading your thoughts on Amsterdam...we were there three years ago and I am remembering and reliving so many of the sights and sounds we experienced through you....thanks for sharing!
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Happy happy birthday, Ali.
Always feel motivated to see a talented woman of my age.
Looking forward to seeing what you create from this trip.
Cheers!!
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Ali + 30th = AWESOME!
Happy birthday, hip chick! Glad you're having a blast in the Netherlands. And I'm wishing you a fantastic year. :)
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Happy 30th Birthday Ali! :)
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Happy Birthday Ali!!!
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Have a wonderful birthday, Ali!
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Happy Birthday, Ali!! I turned 30 when I was on a vacation in Florida hanging on the beach. Loved being somewhere fun with family on that big day!
Love Van Gogh! He is my absolute favorite!! My grandfather used to copy Van Gogh's paintings just for fun, so when I was younger I used to think that my grandpa was "famous" :)!
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I LOVE the book of Van Gogh's letters! I actually wasn't a big Van Gogh fan until I read his letters and saw how passionate he was about color and painting. It was an amazing experience to see my first Van Gogh up close just after finishing his letters.
Happy Birthday!!
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happy birthday ! what a cool way to spend it! its very gray and wet today in Scotland seeing these photos are great and reminding me to plan a trip as well.
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What a fun birthday adventure!!! Hope you have a great day!
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