Raleigh Hashers in Amsterdam...

Our next set of guests were Susie, Bonnie and Bill who were travelling in Europe as Bonnie’s high school graduation gift. They stayed with us for five nights. Here they are in front of the giant bike parking garage next to Amsterdam Centraal on our first of two visits to Amsterdam.

Susie loves taking selfies, which work pretty well with her large phone and her long arms. Here we are in the Jordaan on the way to the Anne Frank House.

Saw this funny Heineken boat along the way.

Afterwards, we visited Dam Palace and walked around the Red Light District.

We also stopped for some genever at Wynand Fockink.

Unfortunately, the scaffolding distracts somewhat from their cute wooden shoe photo.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!

Although the final rehearsals were in the middle of her IB mock exams, Veronica attended as many as she could. I loved sitting in the front row and watching her. Here she is with Tom center stage during their few lines.

Theirs was a very funny song and the desk chairs made for a great car.

The show was awesome! It was wickedly funny and really well acted.

Jimmy was in charge of sound. He recruited Carlin’s son Mark, who had just graduated with a BS in Music Technology, to help out and they really enjoyed working together.

Musical Rehearsal...

Back in December, Veronica auditioned for a role in the AATG’s spring musical: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Among the 20 vignettes about love and relationships, there was only one that featured teens. Despite her part being rather small, Veronica really enjoyed the rehearsals, although it was quite awkward when she stood in during the reading of one of the raunchier skits.

Here is the dress rehearsal at the AATG Warehouse for On the Highway of Love.

Sculpture in The Hague...

Every summer there is a sculpture display on the Lange Voorhout in The Hague. This year’s theme was Grandeur, featuring oversized sculptures by contemporary French artists. Some were whimsical...

...some were just bizarre: whoever would have thought of a road safety barrier as art?

It was fun seeing giant versions of everyday items...

...as well as the giants that might have used them.

The New Mauritshuis...

After being closed for a two-year expansion and renovation, the Mauritshuis, my favorite art museum in the world, reopened in late June. As a International Friend of the Mauritshuis, I got to go to a sneak preview prior to the official opening.

There were still workers doing finishing touches. I especially liked how this painter perched up in the air to finish the gold work.

The new reception area was built under the road and was a major improvement over the old dark one. Over the summer, I enjoyed visiting the museum multiple times with friends and the AWC. The best visit was during a Friends of the Museum event. While the Dutch members went to a lecture, James and I got to visit the collection with just one other couple; it was magical being alone with Vermeers and Rembrandts. 

Through the Mauristhuis’ new large windows, there is a nice view of the Hofvijver; this crew was putting together a floating stage for a music festival.

Boy Band Fans!

Ashlynn was very excited that Charlotte managed to buy her a ticket to see One Direction, the boy band of the moment, at the Amsterdam Arena.

Luckily Jeni Rose from IMG had warned Ashlynn that model scouts would likely be walking around the crowds of young teens. Ashlynn  wasn’t completely caught off guard when she was approached by one, but it was still awkward in front of her friends.

Ashlynn had a great time, but was exhausted after getting home at 1:30 a.m. on a school night!

Photographing the Y13 Ball...

The Y13 Ball was at the Hilton this year, which wasn’t ideal for photographing SquishPics because the photo studio had to be in the ballroom itself. Ashlynn played lead photographer since Veronica was returning from her trip to the Ardennes and I took candids, as usual.

Veronica surprised us by arriving just in time for dinner, so could help out when the photo shoots started back up.

As is customary, a ladder was needed for some cool shots on the ground.

And a chair was needed to capture some of the larger group shots.

While the space wasn’t ideal, it was big enough to capture the largest group taken in a SquishPic yet.