Tonight Jen and I went down to the beach in Den Haag, it’s an area called Scheveningen. I didn’t really realize that Den Haag was so close to the beach…it was only about a 5 minute drive from the office. But it was quite nice down there. The reason for the trip (other than to hang out with friends) was to watch a firework competition out over the water. It was a great time…and here are some of my observations from the beach trip:
1. This part of Den Haag totally had a Santa Monica feel to it! When people had told me this before I thought, “Sure.” But it really does. I think we’re going to try and head back down before we settle back up in Amsterdam..
2. Bonfires are strictly forbidden on the beach. A group of people started one and within minutes a ‘beach patrol’/police truck was there and made them put it out. It’s really too bad because it’s cold and a beach bonfire would have been perfect tonight!
3. Being the Netherlands, some people nearby thought that they would enjoy the show more if they smoked some pot. So they did perfectly legally while sitting next to us and the other families. It’s crazy, you can’t do a bonfire, but you can smoke a joint.
4. The fireworks were not too bad…tonight’s competitors were South Korea and Ireland…and Ireland smoked South Korea…no pun intended in regards to the pot or the fire…or the fireworks.There was no music or anything to the fireworks, but it was cool to just listen to them. If it weren’t for the girl constantly talking very loudly behind us (Sophie said she was just talking about nothing…) we would have only heard the sound of the fireworks. It was really interesting how thousands of us just sat there silently watching and listening.
5. I got to see the sun set over the North Sea…England was out there somewhere…but this was the first time I’ve seen the sun set over a body of water that wasn’t the Pacific. Also, we could see the big dipper…It’s crazy to think that thousands of miles away in California I could see it there too.
Ok..it’s late and I’m exhausted. goodnight….
I love reading your blog. In response to your saying you only have 6 readers, I know thats not true- there are more of us silent readers out here who love your writing and insight!