Friends are the best

While out and about Cari noticed that some of her friends were home (people were hanging out their window, LOL).  Cari called and her friend said to come on up.  Come to find out they'd been out and about, had stopped by the house for a potty break, and the next thing they knew their house was full of friends!

 I knew they were my kind of people when I saw all the books (this is just one example) and all the board games they had.  Kerplunk.  Boggle.  And they play them.  I love people like this.  I knew Cari had made some darn good friends.

 Their place is on a canal: look at their view. 

Someone had used orange tape and laid out the path from birth to death.  Cari couldn't resist.  She's somewhere in the middle of the path.  Not too close to birth.  Not too close to death.  Just right.

 I loved their collections.  Reminds me of my desk, but they put me to shame!

So, we find out that they had planned on walking to a park for a music festival, so we joined in.  Look at this little cutie we came across.  She was ready for anything!

Party boats were everywhere.  This boat had a DJ, and he had just set off a big ole bunch of smoke.  At first I thought it was on fire, but then I realized what was happening.

 Cari's friends made us feel at home.  They were kind and interesting and had a zest for life. 

It was fun checking out all the stuff still out for sale.  A little bit of everything.

 Another crowd.  Big surprise.

Now for some reason unknown to me, Mark was trying to convince everyone that he should be 'king for the day', or something along that line.  SO, as we stopped for some of the group to grab something to eat one of the guys let Mark sit on the small chair he'd been carrying along.  And so Mark plopped down in the middle of the street to hold court or something. 

Ah, the king and his subjects.  Again, meeting Cari's friends just showed me what a wonderful young woman she's become.  Meeting them will be one of the highlights of our trip.

 The two young men in orange are from our group, and they were in dire need of food.  After this they were VERY happy.

We made it to the park, and the place was jumping.  The crowd was very thick and so much into the music.  The guys on the stage were throwing their clothes into the crowd on a regular basis.  I saw a couple of t-shirts fly, and then one of them took off his coat and flung it into the crowd.  Wow!  I wouldn't mind giving away a tshirt or two, but a coat?  Man, they were really into the moment I guess.

Cari ran into some more friends.  I have to say the walk itself was interesting.  It was a great way to spend Queen's Day.

Hmmm...how to make the walk home better?  Hmmmm...let's see.....perhaps an ice cream?  Oh yes.  You can have your beer.  Give me an ice cream cone and we'll call it good.

Almost home, and we came across a band, looking like they were getting ready to play.  I would have liked to have followed them and heard them play, but we'd just walked 5 miles (after a full morning of walking more than that) and I have to admit I was ready to unwind.

Love the name of this boat.  Thank goodness Queen's Day wasn't ugly.  It was actually fun and lively and interesting and met all my expectations.  Thanks Amsterdam for a fun filled day!

Checking out Queen's Day

 Mark got to feeling better, so we took off so he could see what Queen's Day was all about.  Here they were getting ready to party down.

 Here they were hoping to encourage folks to clean up after themselves....right.....

 We're ready to head into the crowds.

 See???  And this is on the canal!

 Folks lined the bridges, checking out the folks in the boats.  Fun people watching day.

Mark didn't dress for Queen's Day.  I figured it was enough that he was out and about!

 Check out the furry boots and orange sunglasses.  Wish I had me a pair of those.

The police were out in force again.  We watched as one young man tried time and time again to get one of the officers to wear an orange hat. He was turned down, very nicely, time and time again.

 Man, I need to get me a pair of them furry orange boots.  Who knew they were the rage?

 Some folks still had their wares out for sale.

 These pretzels looked amazing!!!

This was an interesting money maker.  On several corners young men would let you throw eggs at them, for a price.  Yes, eggs!!!  I'm not sure how they came up with this idea, but I had to pass on taking them up on the opportunity.  On one of the corners the young man wore a rain coat, but on most corners they had a display like this.  I don't think I'll bring this up as a possible money making event for Relay.....just saying.....

Some folks were just hanging out, enjoying the sunshine, and I'm sure doing some people watching of their own.

This guy was singing for his friends, some Sinatra tune or such.  And I gotta tell you, he was pretty darn good!  And they were al having so much fun: it made you want to join them.

Beer was for sale EVERYWHERE.  By lots and lots of folks.  It was so unusal to see.

The men had public toliets (and remember, they were VERY public): for the 'dames', you had to pay.  There were signs everywhere, with the price of 50 cents to I think the highest price I saw was for 1.50.  Wow.

This was an interesting walk.  We saw a bit of everything.  Queen's Day, you are amazing.

Shopping at the world's largest garage sale!

 Mark was still feeling poorly, so Monday morning Cari and I took off and checked out the wares on the streets.  We headed in the direction of the same little park Mark and I had our picnic at earlier.  Cari explained that most of the people selling here were children.  The Mom and small daughter ahead of us were carrying the cutedt cookies that looked like houses.  I tried to find them in the mix later, so I could buy some, but I wasn't able to do so.  Darn!  At least I have a picture.

 The park was overflowing with people, both selling and buying.  Along the way I bought a way cool set of books about Amsterdam.  They'll be great 'coffee table' books.  Love them!

 Check out this cool Amsterdam style doll house.  If I didn't have to lug it home, it would so be mine!!!  Darn it.

On our way into town we came across these stylish gentlemen.  Loved, loved, loved all the orange outfits to be seen.

 Okay, for this picture you have to understand something: the weather here has been rainy and overcast.  Chilly at times.  So imagine everyone's delight when Queen's Day opened with bright, lovely sunshine!  Well, imagine everyone's delight except perhaps for these ladies....they were selling 'Queen's Day Rainbcoats'.  I'm pretty sure they were hoping for liquid sunshine so they could sell their wares.  Not sure why the coats weren't orange, instead of leopard print, though....hmmm......

 How could you not want this backpack?  I do!

Out on the street people of all ages were selling food.  Cookies.  Brownies.  Pies.  Sandwiches.  Cold drinks.  Beer.  You name it.  They were selling it.  This guy was so darn cute, and was having so much fun.

Tie anyone?

When they way Queen's Day is a all city party, they mean it!  I've been to lots of festivals, but nothing like this!!!!  Amazing.

Queen's Nite Happenings

With Mark not feeling so hot we took it easy Queen's Nite morning.  We heard a large 'hello!!!', went to the windows to see, and Cari's neighbor had been surprised by her friends, all ready to get going and make some fun Queen's Nite mischief.

 In the late afternoon we strolled around town.  Porta potties were ready: these things were EVERYWHERE, even in the middle of some of the streets.

 The countdown to Queen's Day was almost done.  1 day!

 Ha.  Thought of Kellie when I saw this....Ha!

 This bar was packed to the gills.  They were watching a game, and right as we passed the game winning score must have occured because a great shout went out, much singing began, and folks began to wander out into the night, big smiles on their faces.

I found a Queen's Day shirt with a penguin on it, and some really good coffee: oh happy day for me!  Now if only I'd found my darn ole sunglasses.....

 We wandered over to Rembrandt Square.  The police were ready for a rowdy night.  From what we'd heard Queen's Nite is the BIG party night for all of Amsterdam.  Looks like the police had heard the same thing.

 Orange baloons were everywhere.

 This young man, from Spain, was loving the music.  He and his friends were entertaining the crowds big time.

 Of course they brought their own fuel.....

 These two gentlemen were loving talking to all the ladies, and getting their pictures taken with several of them.

 This adorable lady was very taken with the young men from Spain, and they apparently got a kick out of her!  Very cute to see.

 Like I said, the police were ready.

 Mark talked to one of the musicians.

 While walking back a big ole bunch of confetti shot out into the crowd.  It was wild!

 Mark checked it out: hearts.  How sweet.

 We passed by party after party.  Wow.  You should have seen them.

And everywhere we went the porta potties were BUSY!  And least you think I"m messing with their privacy, most of them were taking pictures of each other, and most when done would wave to everyone, like 'hey, look what I did!'.  And you couldn't see 'anything': I was prety impressed with how the darn things actually worked. 
Queen's Nite was fun: we're on our way to take a boat ride.  I'll post Queen's Day pictures later.  See ya!