Going Dutch

Maybe many fervent and loyal blog readers, when reflecting a day, recognise a feeling that it was beautiful?
Full of wonderful experiences?

This feeling strongly occurred when walking back to the apartment along the canals of Amsterdam, the Netherlands last night.
After a day full of meetings with friends and family.

A trip was made to the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
A city in the south of the Netherlands, a one-hour train ride away from Amsterdam.
A meeting was arranged with a photographer with who has been studied at the art school.
A fellow student who became a long time friend and colleague.
This photographer also works autonomously and uncommercially.
Which makes it very interesting to exchange ideas and experiences and learn from each other.
And to support one another as the way we choose to work is more and more difficult to be successful.

The appointment was in a factory that has been rebuild into a cultural centre.
The “Verkade Fabriek”.
A marvellous building that has been restored very well and that many people like to visit.
To eat or drink.
To go to the movies, a concert or the theatre.
Or to see exhibitions.

Soon another person joined the conversation.
A film editor from Rotterdam.
And this gave extreme dynamic to the conversation.
Fast and furious, but often funny also.
In the Dutch language and after not having spoken it for one year it was an ultimate test how many words were still in the brain cells.

Later another photographer joined the company.
The Netherlands is a small country and easily one meets an acquaintance.

That night, back in Amsterdam, a dinner with the brother in law in the beautiful first class baroque restaurant of Central Station.
A man with who a very intense emotional relationship is flourishing.
And again conversations as only can be had while in the Netherlands.
No limitations for language.
And a kind of home feeling how to relate.
In this very specific way Dutch people deal with each other.

The experiences of the day gave therefore a sensation of ultimate happiness and harmony.
To land on the bed in the apartment to watch some silly talk show on TV.
In the Dutch language.




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