Freckled Freedom

Just the other day I led mission of rediscovery. I rekindled a few joys that were put on the back burner for a bit. I forgot the pleasure aroused from getting pleasantly lost in a city. Forgot how lovely it feels to just journey and find your way; to be okay not knowing the specifics of everything, not knowing the details and directions. Everything is beautiful and in the end, the way will be found and all will be okay.  I ride along the canals, feeling for the first time that I am a car. My bicycle and I are a dream team, following the rules of the road. My arm extends to signal my right on red. My bell dings, alerting the tourists about to stumble in the bike lane that they shouldn't dare to step in my way. My balance is steady and for two seconds I loosen my grip, uncurl my fingers and let my hands drop to the side. My bike and I are in complete unison. Glorious. As we tip to the left I grab the handles, the seconds coming to an end. My grin is two-chubby-cheeks wide.  My...

Hear ye, hear ye.  Please make way for the biggest street party of the year. Prepare ye livers and lungs for the time of your life: QUEENSDAY 2011 Koninginnedag, as the Dutch call it, is celebrated on April 30th and is unlike anything you've ever imagined. The streets turn into a sea of chaos. All are raising a glass for the birthday of Queen Juliana. Before continuing on, let's clarify a few thing first. Juliana is not the current queen. Her daughter, Beatrix, is the Queen of the Netherlands. Now the problem with Lady Beatrix is that her birthday falls is the dead of winter and let me just say, Dutch winters are NOT pretty. Certainly not the opportune time to hold a massive street party. So rather, let us wish a happy birthday to Juliana and thank her for giving the Netherlands one more excuse to celebrate.  Picture this: Everyone decked out in all shades of orange imaginable. Shirts. Shorts. Shoes. Socks. Paint. Balloon hats. Feathers... galore. The streets are packed, cra...