Day 93. Leanne Here.

Today we have two posts. Most of the crew heads for Disneyland with Kyle but John and Leanne break off for our mini trip to the Netherlands to see a painting.The Girl in the Pearl Earring lives in The Hague’s Mauritshuis in an impressive collection owned by the Royal family of Netherlands. When John asked for this side excursion, I just thought he wanted to pad his country list - but he honestly wanted to travel by train hundreds of miles to see Vermeer painting up close.  Not sure exactly why his particular girl is famous (the Dutch Mona Lisa?), except she’s actually an imaginary figure (called a Tronic) and she does look at you seductively as if she’s on the cover of Vogue.  

As we arrive in The Hague’s train station, we emerge to the joyous sounds church bells at Grote of Sint-Jakobskerke going off for more than 15 minutes. They don’t seem to stop, so we figure its part of their culture. The church is unfortunately closed which is notably odd here in Europe of a church of this magnitude. Big Ben’d again.

Then we start noticing a number of streets blocked off.   Curious, John and I decide to inquire.  We learn from a very nice Dutch mom of three that today is Princes Day, a significant national holiday.  She further shares that The King and Queen of the Netherlands will we be parading right past here within the hour.  It is her family tradition to be here every year and she’s been coming since she was a child.  

Hmmm, the day is looking up already.  Came to see a painting but I might score a glance at a living king?

The holiday explained the closed church, the joyous church bells and the crowds now surrounding us. We google to find out that it’s the opening day of Parliament and this constitutional monarch gives a speech to parliament. The parade leads him to his speech. Lots of hub bub just for a speech but he is the king mind you.  We also learn that the Dutch monarchy is relatively young having started in late 1700s with William I Prince if Orange.  

Over the last several months we have somewhat accidentally witnessed five official changing of the guards ceremonies (Budapest, London, Zagreb, Edinburgh Castle, and Windsor Castle), but this Dutch ceremony blew them all away. Over 400 soldiers strolling down (half on horseback) this main thoroughfare in tall fur hats and golden encrusted uniforms that resembled my Nutcracker Christmas decorations just blew me away. 

After 45 minutes of watching this impressive marching, we ended up seeing the King and Queen in a golden horse drawn carriage within 10 feet of us. Fortunately, the Dutch mom helped us find the best positioning to receive a royal wave. We were so close could practically high five the King if only I had a six foot arm and his Highness wouldn’t be immediately horrified at such. 

More and more soldiers and horses and well-appointed uniforms proceed by until finally the carriage with two royally dresses folks come by!  Wow, the King and Queen!  I thank the Dutch mom for helping and she lets me know that that was just the King’s brother and instructed me not to leave just yet.Slightly embarrassed but grateful for her guidance, we stay. Then the golden carriage holding the real King and Queen passes by. 

This carriage makes Cinderella’s look like a wagon.  It’s adored with golden curves led by a dozen horses maybe. Quite a presentation! I belt out a big “Wow!”  A woman turns to me and longingly shares “I’m French and we don’t have this anymore.”  Each country we visit offers something quite unique. This was todays. 

After the procession, John and I head to lunch and subsequently over to Mauritshuis, the museum with the Verneer painting we have pilgrimaged here for, owned by the royal family we just saw.  We stroll by the Binnenhof and the Ritterzaal, two famous buildings now used for government purposes. Closed earlier interrupting our planned route, they were now back open for a stroll by and required picture stop. 

We head to the hotel for a bit and then out to dinner in Scheveningen, The Hague’s seaside area.  The sky is filled with dark dusk clouds and the waves are huge as the wind whips us as we walk on the wooden pier. I’m sitting here thinking how brave those Dutch sailors must have been to head out this way centuries earlier. I was too scared to even get on the Ferris wheel at the end of the pier with these stormy skies.  

On the pier, John said this pier reminded him of home back in California.  “Are you homesick?” I asked. “Nah” he quickly responds and starts to talk about his plan for Antwerp tomorrow. As a mom, I am thrilled he is soaking up this international nomad exposure and loving every minute.