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!!!
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Happy Birthday! 30 was a great year for me, I hope it is for you too!
KimF
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Happy birthday, Ali! I'm so glad you have had such an enjoyable day!
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Happy Birthday Ali! Glad you are thoroughly enjoying your birthday!
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Happy Belated birthday! What amazing photos! Go happy you are enjoying your time!
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Happy Birthday Miss Ali! And thanks so much for sharing your trip! =0)
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Happy Birthday Ali.......your photos are so amazing! Totally wishing I were there because your photos are so telling of your experience! Awesome!
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Happy happy birthday!
cmc :)
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Happy Birthday!!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!!!
Can't wait to see more pics when you come home,
I can't believe all those tulips, oh, they are to die for!!!
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Gorgeous pics Ali.
Happy Birthday girlie!
Sheri
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Happy Birthday Ali! Looks like you are really having a fantastic time in the Netherlands. I am loving the photos. Its like taking a mini virtual vacation! TFS
Eileen
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Happy Birthday! What a glorious place to spend your 30th birthday. Love the photos you have been posting.
Malinda
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I love reading about your trips! What a fantastic way to spend your birthday. Happy day to you!
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Happy Birthday Ali! What a fastastic trip, you have me all excited about Van Gogh. I remember studying him in college and loved the energy in his work. I only saw the photos in the book and read about the layers of paint. I hope I get to see them up close one day!
Be sure to post a photo of the scrapbook-on-the-road too, sounds great.
Jen
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Happy, happy birthday Ali! The Netherlands sound like a terrific place to be on your birthday! I"ve been to several places in Europe but not that country. I need to put it on my list....love Van Gogh too.
Kip
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Happy Birthday Ali. Have a great one. :)
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Happy Birthday Ali!!!
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So fun reading of your adventures Ali! When you get home and have an evening to relax, I recommend watching "Lust for Life." Old 1956 movie with Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh and Anthony Quinn as Gauguin. Amazing what a tortured soul Van Gogh was and we know him as a genius. Talk about perspective!
Cheers and happy birthday Ali!
On my 30th birthday, my husband gave me a Mickey Mouse watch! That was 15 years ago and I haven't aged a day since! :-)
PS...I'm an alumni of Oct 16 Perspective Class at Art House, Portland, OR {which I loved!}
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happy birthday, ali! what a freakin' cool way to bring on 30! :)
hope you enjoy your day!
LOVE the everyday shots of life in the Netherlands.
cool. :)
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