The Madness Begins

Finally, the Queen's Day. (in Dutch – Koninginnedag (pronounce: "Konikhinnedakh") is a celebration in the Netherlands on April 30 (as Queen's birthday celebration). It started as a celebration of the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina (1880-1962), on August 31. After 1948 Koninginnedag moved to April 30 (the birthday of Queen Juliana). When Queen Beatrix succeeded her mother Queen Juliana on April 30, 1980 (Queen Juliana's 71st birthday), she decided to keep the holiday on April 30th as a tribute to her mother. Furthermore, the weather on her own birthday (January 31st) tends to prohibit the traditional outdoor festivities. April 30th, however, is renowned for having very pleasant weather (errr .. i got it from the Wikipedia). It is now mainly known for the vrijmarkt (literally 'freemarket'), the one day in the year that anyone is allowed to sell anything in the streets and koninginnenacht (Queen's Night) on the preceding night. Actually, nothing much, unless you’re attracted to bars, concerts, crowded public hangout, or being with friends or studying human insanity, this event is one of the kinds.

Madness # 1: Overpopulated Streets

I started my long endurance walk from Leidseplein (having no idea – just followed the crowd, since the tramp was re-routed to somewhere else, rather than headed towards to the Central Centre (centraalcentrum), and the announcement was made in the Dutch language ~ buat2 paham jelah labu .). But, it was great, otherwise I will not taste the best halal doner in town ~ as what they claimed (sort of roasted chicken (kip) and salads wrapped with a nice and fluffy tortilla bread). Along the street, i spent an hour wondering around and watching people were selling their goods (I can say, it is the annual spring cleaning sales). You may find the extraordinary second-hand stuffs or the extraordinary junks here. I prefer to put it as ~ “I do not want this in my house, you may take it with some euros” stuffs. I reckon the car boot sales in UK (United Kingom, not Ulu Kelang), or flea market in Pulau Pinang offers a great deal. After a nasty-random walk, finally i reached the Vondelpark. Most of the activities here are mainly selling second hand goods (or junks) and performance for money. Typically, many children sell their old toys and clothes while adults sell food, beverages and almost anything else imaginable. Prices tend to be very negotiable and drop as the day progresses. By the end of the festivities, much of the unsold merchandise is left on the streets to be picked through until it's hauled off by local municipalities shortly after the day.

Madness # 2: Enjit-enjit semut ?

Madness # 3 (left) : Dramatic story telling "cikgu nak bagitau kisah sang kancil dan buaya .. pada suatu hari .."

Madness # 4 (right) : Milking the wooden cow ? ouchh ~ the dutch ladies on the move!

Madness # 5: Harry Potter needs to pay his Hogwarts tuition fees ...hah..hah..hah

Madness # 6 (left) : The floating discotheque

Madness ends (right) - in the first class couch - heading back ...

Finally, after struggling with the crowds.. i managed to find way back. Again, the normal tramp was re-routed somewhere, therefore i need to find an alternative. The officer told me, to be safe, just take the train to the Schipol airport, and then change the train to the Amsterdam Zuid. From there, i need to take the tramp to Amstelveencentrum, which will be heading back to Uilenstede, - my home sweet home. Rather than waiting for a long queue, i bought the 1st class ticket couch (doubled from the common class ~ayoo terbang my euros). Peace of mind...(i assume), after asking a lot here and there (meet the nice (ironically) Jew from Israel, being scolded by the old-prat officer - mistakenly assumed me as the guy who cheated the seat ~ "kawal diri masa kena marah, nasib baik dia minta maaf, kalau tak sikit lagi sampai surat samanlah, EURO 5 juta, ..dlm euro, bukan RM.. do the maths ..kayooo pakcik! (kalau la) .. ", and the unsung hero who saved me from taking the wrong train!),finally i reached my apartment. Typical 20 minutes journey had turned to 2 hours of pain-staking transits! .. Queen's day, .. do not underestimate her day! Till next year ..