Queen's Day 2008

Okay, brief history. The present Queen's Mother was born on this day, April 30th. When Beatrice became Queen, she decided to keep Queen's Day on the same date, as her birthday is during the winter. And who really wants to be out in that mess trying to have a good time??!! So, festivities start the night before, with boats trolling down the canal, people in the streets, taverns, pubs, and every type of social gathering place occupied by revelers. On the canals, one will see anything from a small kayak to very large boats with stocked bars, full kitchens, grills, DJ with high end audio systems, and plenty of people. The streets are just as packed. People are generally friendly, having a good time being out in the middle of it all. Radhika and I walked around the major points in the morning. Vondelpark next to our place, is devoted to the children, and that was quite enjoyable seeing the kiddies playing games, selling their toys, performing for donations. I forgot to mention that this is the one day a year where you can set up a place on the sidewalk and sell anything you want! There were booths and tents set up everywhere. After Vondelpark, we went to Museumplein, which is behind the Rijks and next to the Van Gogh museums. It's a big grassy area where a main stage was set up for performers throughout the day. Food and drink vendors were everywhere, and most people sported a little orange in their clothing, in their hair, on their skin, or all over! From there, we went to the Leidseplein which is also near our place, and it had a small stage set up for performers, as well. People were all over the place here too. We continued our walk to Rembrandtplein where there was yet another stage. You could not pass through with any ease. It was the worst body-to-body night club experience only outdoors! It took forever to creep the length of the square. Grateful to be outta there, we grabbed 2 somosa's for a snack from a street vendor, and walked along until we squeezed into a good spot on a bridge to watch the endless procession of boats going past. Those people were having serious fun... and not one fool fell into the water, although there were several close calls during a few slight collisions. The people who piloted the boats couldn't enjoy themselves as much as their passengers, because they had to react to the 50 boats within inches of their own!! It was fun to watch... such a spectacle! I would encourage all to plan if they can, including Queen's Day into their schedule when thinking about Amsterdam in the future. I have NEVER seen anything like it in any celebration event!!! Times Square several years ago was a poetry reading compared to Queen's Day!!!!