Netherlands • Day 3, 4, 5
Tags: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
Happy birthday Ali! what a wonderful adventure to start off this new chapter of your life.
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Happy birthday and welcome to the 30s!!!
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I am a avid reader and just wanted to wish the best 30th B-day ever!
Milena
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Happy 30th Birthday Ali! What a great place to be to celebrate too! Enjoy!!!
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Hey Ali! Happy Birthday! Glad you are enjoying your trip.
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Happy Birthday! Have an awesome day (and trip!)
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Happy happy birthday! Enjoy today and the 30s are great!
So glad you enjoyed the Van Gogh -- as well as the Albert Cuyp market -- and that your camera seems to be loaded and ready to go!!!!
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happy birthday! what a cool way to spend the day.
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I love open air markets!! So fun!! And happy birthday to you, you spring chicken, you! okay, I'm rereading that and it sounds so funny!! : )
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Happy 30th Birthday!!! What a beautiful location to be in to celebrate!
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Happy Birthday, Ali!!!
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Happy Birthday Ali - your trip sounds soooo fun...
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Happy 30th Birthday Ali! Enjoy your day.
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Happy Birthday!!
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Happy Burp-Day Ali!!!!!
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Happy wonderful birthday Ali. I remember when I spent my 17th birthday in Paris. So incredible to spend your day in a foreign country. So cool.
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Happy birthday Ali, soak in all the experience. I'll be 30 on sun...so Happy 30th to both of us, I'm sure we'll make it :)---Lisa
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you are refining like a fine wine...ah that's crap...happy birthday!
i loved the van gogh museum for the same reason. have you seen the sex museum? in the window was a birthday cake that said, "happy birthdat donna, make a wish and blow!" you can just imagine what appendage was on the top of the cake in icing...LOL. had to go in after that!! LOL!!
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Happy birthday, Ali!
Loved meeting you and your mom at CKU-A!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I am one of your newest friends and love your blog and pictures. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Carla
Arlington, TX
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