When we planned this trip, we originally thought we would spend 3 days in Amsterdam and then leave and go to Belgium for the last 2 days. We wanted to see Belgium but also knew that the biggest national holiday of the year was on April 30th, also the same day of my 29th birthday. This holiday is appropriately called
"Queens Day"
All we knew about this day was that everything was closed - which to us meant, no shopping, no site seeing, and no eating out. We were unaware of what actually went on during this day, but as our vacation got closer and more people found out that we were going to be there, everyone had great things to say about it and told us to stay - which we did!!
All I can say about "Queens Day" is it is complete and total insanity for 24 hours straight. Let me explain, the national color for the Dutch is Orange. So on this day everyone is dressed in the most ridiculous head-to-toe outfits all in orange!! It is like one BIG block party through out the whole city and on all the canals. Music was blaring from every boat and every open window, alcohol was being guzzled and pot was being smoked. If you have problems with claustrophobia, this is not the day for you.
Getting ready to set out for the day in our Orange Outfits.
Most streets were this busy if not busier and a sea of Orange.
The canals were packed with Orange Boats filled with party people.
And some boats were just decorated pretty.
When I said dressed in Orange from head-to-toe I really meant it! :)
This was definitely a memorable birthday.
I am thinking a destination birthday is a must from now on, but how does one beat having her own national holiday??
ummmm....
Paris?? Amalfi Coast?? Costa Rica??
The Jetta was great and I have many wonderful memories with that car.
But it was time to move on and buy a more grown up car.
I went back to Volkswagen and found this used 2008 Passat and fell in love.
I waited a week before buying it, and good thing I did because they dropped the price by $1600 after they insisted that they couldn't go any lower than the sticker price.
This is my first real grown up purchase and I am so excited.
