Hague cont.

Last photos of the Hauge. I've been trying to load these for days but the internet is spotty at best and they are large files. The Hauge was a beautiful little town with a cute little beach probably far too cold to get into the water!

Scheveningen Beach- last night in the Hague

Peace Palace- International Court of Justice where President Hisashi Owada spoke to us about his role in the ICJ.

Bar on the beach "Etn" and "Drinken"

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia- Got to watch a witness testify in the trial of Operation Storm- the prosecution v. Gotovina

http://www.icty.org/action/cases/4

International Criminal Court where the Honorable Sir Adrian Fulford spoke to us. I want to be the ICC procecutor responsible for prosecuting genocides and crimes against humanity.

http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC/About+the+Court/



and that's about all there is to the Hague!

Arriving in The Hague

I took a train from Amsterdam to the Hague. I called a cab from my hotel in AMS and told him to take me to the train station. He said, oh no, you aren't going there are you? Why I ask. Because there was an accident and it's going to be closed for hours. How about I take you straight to the Hauge instead? I'll give you a good deal!

I thought about it and said, um, no thanks, how about you take me to the train station and I'll take my chances. We pull up and see that there is no accident, and he says, well aren't you lucky, looks like they cleared it all up! In 20minutes? I don't think so. I did NOT tip him!

Some Royal Palace building. There are a lot.
I've never seen so many bicycles! Moms and dad's and kids all ride together. One kid has a little seat on the same bike as the mom in the front, another in the back, or there is a wagon thing attached to the front like in this picture. I saw four kids stuffed into one. And EVERY child here is blond. It's kind of creepy.

Veterans parade in downtown Hauge. Just missed it...I was sleeping

Fanciest architecture on a Kentucky Fried Chicken I have ever seen!

Went to the Escher Museum. The Musuem was in an old palace of the royal family and the whole place was filled with his works. Ascending and Descending, the one above, was one of his classical optical illusions.

Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam

I stayed in a Hilton in Ams which was beautiful. So expensive though. 27E for 24 hours of internet and 7E for my small bottle of water. Booking a hotel ahead of time would have been cheaper, but where's the fun in that? Spent the evening strolling around Liedsplein, Rembrandt Plein, and in the Redlight district. I can't believe that it doesn't get dark until 10-10:30pm! I went to a coffee shop somewhere and learned about Moroccan Hash. Met an Egyptian running a shwarma shop that had an Israeli sign. Called it a night about 12:30 when it started getting sketchy. Here are just a few pics.


The moment the plane touches down I'm reminded of how expensive Europe is, and how I love America! The driver of the airport shuttle to the hotel watches me as I try to lift my own 60lb suitcase into the trunk. He did NOT get a tip. I made some boy about half my size lift it up.

A popular coffeeshop in the city center. There are always people dancing and singing in front of it trying to make money off the tourists.

Thought this was an odd name for a clothing store, especially since they also sell mens clothing.

Statue of Rembrandt in Rembrandt square.

I love the canals. Tried to take a canal tour but didn't didn't have enough time and couldn't find where to get on one.

I ate dinner at a pancake house/ sports cafe (odd combo) and sat outside and people watched. I ate Dutch pancakes for dinner, which turned out to be more like dessert. It was a thin pancake with icecream and whipped cream drowning it. Very good but not much in the way of substantial food.

I had to take a picture. How often do you see a sex shop and a gay friendly church across the street from one another?

Interesting... I wonder if people really buy this crap??!

Good 'ole red light district. Can't photograph the naked ladies or they break your camera. Sorry fellas. Went into one of the sex shops and saw a "butt plug" the size of a small lamp shade. Now what on earth would anyone need that for!!