The Hague- Finally a Day off

After three days of the hard labor of attending a conference- I “took a day” to relax and walk the city.

As mentioned in my last few posts- my morning was shockingly interrupted by the news of the Polish President. My Facebook (which now has lots of Polish friends and Fulbrighters) was in a major buzz. I called Lisa to check in with her.

After I found out what I was going to learn for now- I headed into the city.

The Hague is a small city that can easily be seen in a couple of days. I hit city center about noon- so it was lunch time. I ate at this fabulous outdoor cafe that was teaming with tourists. No one seemed to mind it was rather chilly. Now, when I typically travel to sea based communities- I am always in search of fish. First, Lisa does not care much for fish and does not make it at home very often. Second, good fish is hard to find in KC. However, Poland is not known for its beef (of which I am). In fact, sadly McDonalds probably has the best beef. Poland is a pork country. So, even though I am on the sea in Holland- I have been in search of good beef. So, I had a nice steak sandwich. (My first day back in the States will be to Gates for lunch. Lisa wants to go to J. Alexanders for dinner).

I visited both the Old Church and the New Church. The New Church is only 450 years old- hence its name. It is famous for the burial place of the Royal House of Orange. William of Orange, I, II, IV, V, etc. Where is the William III?- actually buried in England at Westminster. He smartly married Queen Mary and became King (they are famously known as William and Mary- England’s only co-rulers). It was ironic, as I had just read some stuff on them and their rule in England.

One thing I am always fascinated with in Holland is their use of bikes. Everyone from the youngest boy to the oldest woman rides bikes as private transportation. Also, interesting is the type of bikes they ride. They are not the modern 24 speed or mountain bikes- but rather bikes we would associate with the 1950s and 1960s; even with wicker and wire baskets in the front. There are many more bikes on the road than cars. Men in suits, women in expensive dresses riding from place to place. You actually have to watch out for bikers more than you do cars.

Here is a typical Holland “parking lot”. 

After seeing my churches- I went to the Mauritshuis a small museum with a few Rembrandts and other Dutch artists. However, the most famous painting in this gallery (by far) is the “Girl with the Pearl Earring” by Vermeer. A book and movie was done about this girl and the painting. Lisa read the book- I did not.








I bought her a print of the “The Girl”. I really do not have much of an art lover’s eye- but I do like the Dutch masters and like seeing their work. I think I like their hats. As mentioned in a way earlier blog- The museum in Gdansk has a nice collection from the Dutch Masters including a Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Next to the Mauritshuis is the Parliament Building. Again, it is quite old and ornate- but still active. That said- I have yet to find a Parliament building that rivals the one in Budapest. I walked around this Renaissance era complex and soaked in the history. It sits right on a canal (which Holland has hundreds of them and is part of its charm).

The evening ended with another steak, as I am back to Poland.

This week should be interesting with events. There is a national mourning called for seven days.