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
Another fan; you probably won't make it this far but HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The 30's are even better than the 20's! Enjoy Europe!
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Happy birthday!
Looks like you are having much better weather than we did a couple of weeks ago. I just got some photos from Nita of our visit -- yeah! And she sent a layout she made for the store with my ds and her dd on it. He's famous :-)
We loved the Van Gogh Museum too... Hope you made it to the top floor... Remember the store has a website...
cyndi
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Happy Birthday Ali! Have a wonderful day!!!
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Sounds awesome!!! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead :)
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Happy Birthday Ali!!!!
My brother actually lives in Amsterdam. He used to live right across from the Bloemenmarket (sp?) and he recently bought a place in a more affordable part of town :-) He's been there almost 8 years now (I miss him) but it is a great city to visit. I love watching the people on bikes. It's amazing! My bro is actually a scrapbooker and has been to that store you were talking about. He always has to ask for help and I think they like that :-) I'll have to tell him you are in town!
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Happy 1st Anniversary of your 29th Birthday!! :) Enjoy the Netherlands!! We've been & it's a beautiful country.
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happy happy birthday!...what an awesome way to celebrate 30 years!...seems perfectly appropriate to me:)...have so much fun...trip of a lifetime!...
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Ali: Happy birthday. Hoping that the next year is full of much happiness for you. Enjoy the Netherlands.
Vicki
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Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Eats lots of cake,& have a great day
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Happy #30 Ali!
Hope you have a great day!
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Happy Birthday, fellow Scorpio!!!
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Wishing you many birthday blessings!
Your pictures are wonderful, have fun,
Andrea
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Happy birthday! You share your birthday with my younger son who is 28 today. Ohmigosh -- I could be your mother -- do I feel old!
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Van harte gefeliciteerd.
Happy Birthday to you...
May you visit the Netherlands every year. You are welcome to stay with us, so we can scrap together the whole time... well between siteseing ofcourse.
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Let me add my wishes for a very happy birthday.
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A very HAPPY birthday to you - love those market pictures and I had to smile: I posted a pic of a coffee cup in my blog today (only it was tea actually). LOL. Glad you are enjoying one of my favourite countries!!
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Happy Birthday, Ali!!
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Happy Birthday beautiful!! You have a very special one!! Hugs Wanda
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Hope you have had a WONDERFUL birthday. Certainly sounds like it!
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Happy Birthday Ali!
What a wonderful way to spend the day!
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