Travelog for: Suny

I love these small yellow flowers! In Dutch they are called "horse flower". I don't know why. Maybe horses like to eat them?

And this flower is called "frog flower"! Dutch people sure have funny names for fieldflowers!

And here's a flower for you, mum! It's called forget-me-not. Well, I won't forget you, mum!

It's a special holiday today: it's the birthday of King Willem Alexander. The flags hang out.

The city center is decorated with flags and orange guirlandes. A lot of people came to the center to listen to music, sit on a terrace, go to the fun fair or maybe buy cheap second hand stuff.

On this one day the inhabitants are allowed to sell second hand goods in the streets. It's like a gigantic carboot sale. Here are some of the stalls, along the canals.

We escape the hustle and bustle and visit this a quiet place with almshouses.

Leaving the city center, we pass this richly decorated house. A friend of Emjay used to live here.
It was fun to experience this Dutch tradition!

Today the flags are out again. But... they are halfway down. Today it's remembrance day for the people who lost their lives in World War II and all wars since then. Emjay lives in the resistance quadrant. All streets bare the names of resistance heroes.

This statue is symbolic for freedom. On the base it says: "Their lives for our freedom"

On television we watch the national remembrance at the Dam Square in Amsterdam. King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima place a wreath and there's a two minute silence. It was impressive to see.

Today the flag is out AGAIN! But now it's in celebration and not half way down. Today is "Bevrijdingsdag", to celebrate the ending of World War II, 70 years ago. And also to celebrate freedom. The wind was blowing fiercely. The flag of Emjay's neigbours was twisted around the pole.

Kids are free from school and adults are free from work today, at "Bevrijdingsdag". Emjay takes me to a garden center in Pijnacker.

This is one of Emjay's favorite plants. She had one in the garden, but it didn't survive.

They're not only selling plants and flowers, but also garden ornaments, small animals, animal food, kicthen ware and what not!