Category: The Hague

Obama: Truly Gezellig in The Hague

Nuclear Security Summit I56A1197

Truly Gezellig in The Hague

I’ve seen some of the Nuclear Security Summit 2014 here in The Hague and took a bit of video and some photo’s at the final press conference where Obama thanked the Dutch for a well organized summit and showed he knows a Dutch word “Gezellig” that many English speaking people claim is not so easy to translate….My idea is that the following English words give some meaning to gezellig: Cozy, snug and intimate cover it more or less.

After the press conference the president was induced to being photographed in front of the Victory Boogie Woogie, the latest and unfinished painting of Piet Mondrian, who died in New York before he could finish this painting. This painting is in the collection of the The Hague Municipal Museum of Modern Art (Gemeentemuseum).

Obama bij de Victory Boogie Woogie

Mandela on NSS 2014

Mandela on NSS DSC00326

Mandela on NSS 2014

“Hi, oh you didn’t know I would attend?
Well that is quite easy, as I’m here for quite some time already.
And see look down my left hand…they have some girls around that seemingly like
to re enact that famous scene with Marilyn. You know which one I’m referring at, don’t you?

Dutch gouvernment was proud to announce this was a business meeting, so the wifes would stay home. That made it much cheaper for them to organise this venue. Once a Dutchman, always a Dutchman don’t you think? As a consequence I heard the escort services are havining great times tomorrow and Tuesday. And No the Dutch don’t offer any sign of shame on this. After all they invented the red light district, which is one of the main tourist attractions of Amsterdam. Even now whend they have closed shop for many ladies, because over the time they got a bit embarrassed and wanted to shrink the red light district.

For the Dutch it is easy to leave the wives home. Family is not that important anymore in this country. I also heard that they are getting rid of the caretakers of their old people. Also seniority is something that doesn’t count anymore in this country, but for sure they want to check your bin if you have a bit of radio active stuff you want to get rid of. They can use it, because in Petten the Dutch have a little outfit where they make radio active isotopes for medical use…can’t get rid of the process yet, as it is bringing too much profit…”

Willem-Alexander now King of The Netherlands

Willem -Alexander now King of The Netherlands

By a simple signature from his mother, Queen Beatrix, under an abdication declaration, Willem-Alexander became King of the Netherlands in the Amsterdam Royal Dam Palace today at approximately 10.35 hr AM local time.

Thereafter the new King will be inaugurated by swearing to be true and loyal to the Dutch Constitution before both Houses (Chambers) of Dutch Parliament.

Thereafter the two houses of Dutch Parliament will swear their loyalty to the King.

Queensday 2013: Best Whishes to King Willem-Alexander!

Actually there is no Queensday today. It is Abdication and hence Inauguration Day today.

Tooting my own Horn

On my significant other blog I’ve featured 100 chairs in celebration of Inauguration Day.

Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands 75 Years

Queen Beatrix 75 year

This is the last official portrait of Queen Beatrix as Queen of The Netherlands. On April 30, 2013 she will be succeeded by her Son, Prince Willem-Alexander.

The beautiful portrait is by Frank van Beek.

The Queen celebrates her 75th birthday today in private.

Happy Birthday Queen Beatrix!

No Beard? No King! – Dutch getting Viral about King to be Willem-Alexander

King to be Willem-Alexander and Abdicating Queen Beatrix

Currently H.R.H Prince Willem Alexander of The Netherlands (left) is clean shaven. He will be the first King in over 100 years after his mother H.M. Queen Beatrix (right) will abdicate in favor of him on April 30, 2013. However according to a funny FacBook page Zonder Baard Geen Koning (i.e. No Beard? No King!) which started yesterday and collected some 20,000 likes in its first 24 hours, Willem-Alexander has still 90 days to grow a nice beard.