Day One in Den Haag

OK, Madrid is no longer the only city I was ever disappointed in. The Hague not only falls into that category, it leads it. Why the place is of any importance, I do not know. It is small, kind of dirty and there is nothing to do. I will try to get down to the beach, but my assessment based on going into town this afternoon is that it is pretty weak. I should have stayed in Amsterdam tonight!!

The day was not a total bust. It had some fun observations. Here are some shots from the day.

As an example of just how exciting The Hague is, this is a very famous pond. Why? Dunno. Why is there an iceberg? Dunno. But it is pretty famous. And according to the local tourist magazine, this "stately pond gives The Hague the allure of a government seat..." Yea, you won't find such a stately pond in DC, London, Bejing or any other supposed government seat city (note I did not say capital - that is Amsterdam. For some reason The Netherlands has one city as its capital - Amsterdam; and one city as it government seat - The Hague).




There is always someone who has to act like a jackass when they think they are on TV!











"Say buddy, can you spare a dime?"



"Hey, you can tell me how to to get to the beach?"










This is the way to polish off the day. Kick back and enjoy fine local cuisine and one of the famous Dutch beers... OK, I admit it. I don't eat Dutch food. You know what they bake Dutch food in, right - a Dutch oven! Eewww!!

Eckhart Would Be So Proud!

After reading The Power of Now and A New Earth, both by Eckhart Tolle, it seems his messages are following me! First the 'Welcome your presence' message in Beijing and 'now' this billboard in The Hague. Subtle (or not so) reminders are everywhere!

Outbound in more ways than One!

Well, the first leg of the trip was not that bad. I slept most of the way but is was still a strange trip - and not in the good way.

While the plane was boarding there was an old couple sitting right behind me. They were fussing and fidgeting getting all settled in. They were commenting on everything - just like the old married couple they were! The lady was helping the old guy get comfortable when all of the sudden I hear him say "You got the nuts out, too". Oh how I was afraid of what that meant! I did NOT want to turn around and look! And you do not want to know the picture that was in my mind. All I could think at that point was "Where's the attendant I think I need a drink!"

Then while the "safety video" was doing its thing I began to wonder, why do they feel compelled to tell you how to buckle your seat belt? Seriously, is there anyone left that does not get how to do this?? And if there actually is some one that is mystified by this strange, tricky "binding device" are we really all that interested in them surviving?

Then right before takeoff I hear the old guy behind me telling his wife "Hold yours down". Oh good God my fears were true! I REALLY don't want to know what the hell they are doing! It sounds, though, like someone needs to tell them that the "Mile High club is supposed to be in the air and not on the tarmac!

As we took off I started to drift off - well almost. The Asian couple next to me were talking a mile a minute and the woman was very loud. Given that it was their native tongue it was even more disruptive. They calmed down and rte lights went out for me. At least until she started getting all loud again. Io actually popped in my earphones which weren't even plugged into anything! Just to try and drown her out.

I woke up a bit later and started checking out my Asian neighbors. Something seemed off but I couldn't put my finger on it. Actually I realized just how off they were and that I would never put my finger on it actually! Once I looked past the painted nails, girly clothes and the feminine mannerisms I noticed that the woman didn't seem to have the typical soft defining facial features most Asian women have. I also noticed that she was completely flat. Hmmm and the facial skin in fact seems a little rough ... OMG. The woman was Not a woman at all! Well at least she did not start out as one! This seat neighbor was certainly a FAR cry from my last seat neighbor! I realize the hot ones don't come along that often, but did the pendulum (if he/she still had hers!) have to swing so far in the other direction!

So now in addition to the Samoan princess, my list of seat neighbors now includes a Thai Tranny, a Hanoi he/she, or if you prefer Little Miss Bangkok! Boy, I have heard of 'out'bound flights but this was going a bit too far!

So now I sit in ATL awaiting the next leg and wondering what thrills await! Ooh, the piano player in the food court (yes they have one here!) is now playing "If I Only Had a Brain" from the Wizard of Oz. . I am going to go ask her to dedicate it to someone for me!

View from Cattle Class!

Back of the Bus!

I don't mean to complain or project anything, but seems like this might be a hard trip. The airport was packed the check-in person was obnoxious and I am fly cattle class all the way to Amsterdam. Where by the way I will catch a train to get down to The Hague. I am settling in and just going to let things flow! We'll see how this goes!

The Hague

Off in a few hours to go visit THE Hague, in THE Netherlands. The home of the international courts, this is a tiny city on the North Sea. First time ever to this location so it will be fun to explore.

I have been to Amsterdam numerous times but I don't have any idea what THE Hague will be like.

One of the first things I will be looking to do is ask why does it have to be THE Hague? Why not just Hague, Netherlands? Are there other copy cat 'Hagues' out there? Is there a Hague Iowa that confuses people? Hague Brazil?? I mean c'mon I don't live in THE Irvine (don't tell that to people who live here though.) I will keep you posted if I find anything out! Just make sure to keep an eye on THE World at Play Blog on THE Internet, where I will be providing updates from THE Hotel (oh, wait, there is a THE Hotel and it is in Vegas, not THE Hague.) Any rate, you get THE idea.

Palm Springs for a Memorial Day Baseball Tournament!

Jordan has a tournament in Pam Springs this weekend so he and I headed out Friday afternoon. He drove so it was interesting! I almost had to kill him when he started to text while driving - and in rush hour traffic to boot! He also almost killed me when so lady not paying attention to what she was doing started to drift into our lane, then almost into our car on my side of course. I could have reached out and touched her - which thinking back I should have smacked her upside the head! I am screaming at Jordan to look out but he does not move at all. I then start screaming honk the horn. When he finally 'reacts' and hits the horn she moves over. He said he didn't see her. Hmmm, seems like a creaming passenger would be enough to get him to actually react!

Other than that, though, I have to say that he is a good driver. It normally is just the other fools on the road that worry me with him driving. And of course this is flippin' Memorial Day Weekend so the crazies will be out. At least that is what my parents used to tell me. I am beginning to believe them now that my son is driving!