Turn on the Lights

Posted on by ghotiindustries

As promised we went to Turn on the Lights in Dam Square last Thursday evening.

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We got there early in order to get good placement, and were right in the middle of the square near the I Amsterdam letters.

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The theme was the water cycle, and began with an opera singer being hoisted around by a crane above our heads!

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Moving on to dancers in bubbles moving in and around the crowd.

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Then came the dragons and bad guys! These were the most fun for me, and I’m trying to figure out how to get some for the house …

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I think these guys were meant to be “evaporation” and clouds, as they released helium balloons up into the air, and then rained aerosol snow down on the crowd. Either way, very pretty!

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The building was lit, and the lights twinkled and sparkled as everyone went inside to commence/continue their Giftmas shopping.

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It was one of the most amazing performance art pieces I have seen and been a part of! There were THOUSANDS of people filling that square, and the spectacle was truly first rate!

We left the square after having a bite to eat, and walked home via Leidseplein.

I was sad the other day when I realised that the season has truly turned when the tables aren’t out under the trees in Leidseplein for the tourists to sit under any more while they drink their beers. Until I saw what’s there now!

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Ice skating! I can’t wait to try! I don’t remember the last time I skated! This truly is a wonderful city in which to live!

Silly Season

Posted on by ghotiindustries

Giftmas feels a little off kilter in the the Nederlands. The sign outside the shop in the Bloemenmarkt is counting down the days to the 25th of December. (36 sleeps as at this writing!)

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And there seems to be chocolate EVERYWHERE!

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But there is also this little guy.

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The children here only have to count to the 5th of December. And though I had in fact meant to be at the arrival parade, it completely slipped my mind until we walked into Dam Square to be surrounded by this …

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I can tell you now, that when you’re not used to it, seeing so many people, of all ages, in black face … it’s a little uncomfortable, and also a bit confronting.

This guy just looks lecherous!

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Something to remember when the story goes that he drags off bad little boys and girls in his burlap sack back to Spain!

But we did some more of our Giftmas shopping, and should be putting it in the post soon to make sure it reaches the other side of the world by Dec 25th. We just have to remember that everyone here does gifts on the 5th, and the 25th is for religion.

Not a bad way to keep them separate really.

In other news, something else will be being posted on Monday …

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Have you all been behaving yourselves in the lead up to the end of year countdown?

Melbourne Cup

Posted on by ghotiindustries

So, it turns out that when you live on the other side of the world, the Melbourne Cup not only doesn’t stop anything, but, you sleep through it. Which makes it incredibly easy to avoid media, not know who won, and be able to attend a Melbourne Cup party on Saturday night, thereby skipping the hungover day at work on Wednesday! It’s all quite neat really!

I’ll begin by saying that, as with any good Melbourne Cup party, it began a few days earlier with a shopping trip which was required buy a few final pieces to complete the outfit. I began my shopping with espresso and a brownie. Always a good way to begin any shopping expedition!

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I had a skirt, was thinking of a top I thought would go with it, and just happened to come across some massive flowers for my hair which I was assured by our gracious hostess would be fine as a fascinator.

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The party was wonderful! Everyone dressed up and the whole atmosphere was very gezellig! It was actually quite fun explaining to the non-Aussies what all the fuss was about. And after a few drinks, you know, honestly … I’m not sure either.

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There was an assortment of Australian food too, though my photos of that didn’t turn out so well, so here’s another fuzzy crowd shot of everyone looking schmick!

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When everyone was assembled, and drinks were being consumed, we all clustered around to watch the race!

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We didn’t win the sweepstakes, but it was immense fun just dressing up and being out with everyone. I definitely think there should be more parties in our life! Perhaps I should work on that one …

So how did you all do in your office sweepstakes?

Anniversary

Posted on by ghotiindustries

We celebrated our wedding anniversary recently. We celebrated quietly, but with style.

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Moet, with lightly pan fried salmon and blanched vegetables. So good.

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Who could ask for more?

Amsterdam Pride 2012

Posted on by ghotiindustries

Along with several thousand other people, we made our way to the Prinsengracht to watch the Amsterdam 2012 Pride Parade on Saturday.

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The Parade was as wonderful as any I’ve been to or participated in. Though it was interesting to watch the crowd, as I’ve never seen a crowd so difficult to rile up! Only one float got a real reaction out of them in the 4 hour parade, and that was the group doing the actions to YMCA.

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My large camera brings all the boys to my yard … ?

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These guys were wonderful and everyone did stop and respond when the bugle played and they saluted the crowds.

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The queens.

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The queen Queen. Good ol’ Bea!

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Some of the expressions I captured were just priceless!

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The Dancers are always full of energy! (I’m not sure anything could have stopped this guy!)

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There is s unique logistical problem with holding the Parade on the canals. For the first time ever, I’ve seen the floats actually float. But they also have to get under bridges. So what you get, is a lot of floats being air filled, like jumping castles, that get hauled down and deflated at the last minute.

Though this solution was elegantly executed also …

The other popular theme this year was ticker tape cannons. So I’ll leave you today with this shot.

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Have a Rainbow filled day, and life, My Fabulous Fishies! *air kisses*