Aelbrechtskolk, Pilgrims church
This Church in Delfshaven is the one where the Pilgrim fathers held their last service in 1620 before setting sail to England and from there on to America.

Nieuwe Binneweg, Rotown
Rotown is known as a café, a restaurant but certainly also for hosting bands and facilitating concerts.
Helter Skelter, Man Man and Scouting for Girls are some of the bands performing.
No, I don't know them all either.

Termeulenplein
Bram Ladage has 25 stores nowadays but started some 40 yrs ago with one in Rotterdam.
He serves chips and everything to go with it.
In contrast to most people overseas, we eat our fries with mayonaise.
Always.
If you want to order fries with mayo you ask for; een patatje met
(little chips with)
If you order fries without mayo you ask for; een patatje zonder met
(little chips without the with)
If you want to order fries with mayo and peanut sause you ask for: een patatje oorlog
(little chips at war)

I know.
Every language has it's own beauty

Schiedamsedijk
When i looked up the website for the Rotterdam Walk of Fame, I couldn't help laughing.
It is presented as "one of fastest growing attractions in Rotterdam".
Anyhow, it contains the hand/foot prints of big and recent stars such as Joan Collins, Emmylou Harris, Meat Loaf, Denny Christian, Conny Vandenbos and Mies Bouman.

Leuvehaven
Prices of cab-rides vary a lot over countries.
Untill recently we had a system where you paid for time. So if you got stuck in traffic, the meter ran up and you just sat there grinding your teeth.
Now we pay by the distance.
Pretty fair I think but I can imagine a taxi driver thinks differently.
This water taxi is probably on his way to Hotel New York, coz they have a "fixed line" for that address. It's about a 6 minute ride and for an adult that would cost you € 3,40 (say 5 dollars) and a child half prize. Then they add 15% because of today's ridiculous high gas prizes.
It's a fun trip but you could walk over for free in 15 minutes.
Does it show I am Dutch? :)

Skatepark Westblaak
At the entrance of this park people are warned and asked to wear protective gear.
Nobody does.

Vroesepark
Space has a prize. More so in Europe (and especially the bigger cities) than in the States I think. My neighbors bought their house about 8 months ago for half a million euro. 4 floors, a small (I said Small) yard and that's it. Nothing special. Except for the 4 floors, which is considered huge here.

So on sunny days people pop up as from nowhere and take whatever public space they can find.
Now there is no shortage of parcs in Rotterdam but honestly, during some weekends you can not understand where all these people stay during the wintermonths.

View on Delfshaven with the Euromast popping up in the back.

Little cherubins in the City hall garden

Schiedamseweg. Spring cleaning.

Bergse Rechter Rottekade

Rich said a couple of days ago, how glad he is that he can walk 10 minutes and be totally out of the city.

I feel absolutely the same, so here's what you come across then if you bike for a mere than 10 minutes.

Marconiplein, Europoint buildings

These 90 mtrs tall buildings were build in the early 70-ies following the American sky scrapers. The appreciation for that kind of architectural style was minimal back then but nowadays they form a remarkable point of recognition in Rotterdam West and the critics have learned to like their abstract quality.

Burgemeester Meineszplein
I swear this photo is not staged. I just ran into this bike while i parked my car and thought hey, with the Eiffel Tower attachted it will make a nice photo.
It is however the perfect item for today as today it is the finish of the RoPa Run.

The Roparun is not only a unique running event but also has a unique goal:
"Aiming to add life to the days that remain, when no more days can be added to life"

In 1992, the RO(tterdam) PA(ris) RUN was born. And it came about as the result of a bet! In that first year, 13 teams took part and together they managed to raise 100,000 Dutch Guilders (45,000 Euros). The organisation of the event was in the hands of a small group of volunteers. In fact, the intention was for a one-off event, but that was not to be the case.

Roparun is an abbreviation of Rotterdam - Paris- RUN. The Roparun is the longest non-stop relay race in the world; the route covers approximately 530km. When it began, in 1992, the race started on the Coolsingel in Rotterdam and finished in the airport area Le Bourget in the 'city of lights', Paris. Since 2004 the route has gone in the other direction, starting in Paris and finishing in Rotterdam.

On this site you can follow the progression of the teams and they even have a link to Google earth. How cool!

Schiedamseweg.
I guess when they thought of their promotional action the weather forecast said hot, but better wear a hat too.

Happy Mothersday to you all

Although i am a mother and have a mother, it is not my thing. My children will bring me breakfast (and i hate crumbles in my bed) at bed, i will get several IOY's saying they will lay the table (not), massage my back (until i beg to stop) or will not fight each other for the day (yeah right) but.... i also get to pick what we do that day. Searching on the internet as we speak. Unless you have a really good idea?

Conradstraat
Apparently I am not the only one who is interested in construction work. But what's with all the grey doves?

I ran into todays fierce eagle (I reckon, but i am a city girl) on the Beukelsdijk and i dedicate it to Abe.

His birds and bees never seem to amaze me.
Besides, from what i've learnt from his blog and stories, he's one of the nicest persons i could think of in Brookville :) and the last couple of days he sounded like he could use some good news. So here's to you Abe!

It is unbelievable how nice the weather has been this past week. 25C and a little breeze.
Just enough wind for my family to go out sailing yesterday. Above, you see my 5 yr old daughter Caroline with left over glasses from Koninginnedag (hence the orange). A regular pro wouldn't you say?

ps; if you want to see what the surrounding of all that water did to one of my sons go over to my personal blog

View on the church tower of Overschie. A very old (dating back till the 10th century) and pittoresque part of Rotterdam.

Korte Hooghstraat
This is the statue of Pim Fortuyn. The politician that today was murdered 6 years ago.

Eendrachtssingel.
Even policewomen on duty have to do some grocery shopping.

After memorial day, we celebrate Liberation day (after WWII) today. Lots of music festivals and shiny happy people.

I on the other hand, have to work.

I spotted this bride and her groom yesterday while out with the kids in a playground. The horse they are sitting on is a real one. The cow in the background is not.

Today is Memorial Day. There will be several services to remember and at 8 PM there will be 2minutes silence.

Eendrachtsingel with a view on the World Trade Center (green) and on cafe De Unie.
The first cafe De Unie was built at the Coolsingel in the spirit of The Style with rectangular forms in primitive colors and white plaster. It was destroyed in the bombardment of the city May 14, 1940 and a new cafe was built in 1986 on the Mauritsweg. It now hosts a cafe and restaurant and also serves as a debating podium for the Rotterdam board of Art and Culture.

Haagseveer
Although not much, we do have some water in downtown Rotterdam.
The name Haagseveer refers to a "veer", a boatconnection from this place to The Hague.
It's been in use since the 17th century but was officially given this name in 1942.

First of the month and today's theme is Numbers.
For Rotterdam there can only be 010 then. The city code and since a few years the name of a free magazine with all sorts of Rotterdam info.

Want to see what the other 181 participants came up with?
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Busan, Korea South by iamnbinb, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chesapeake Daily Photo (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Chicago (IL), USA by Focused Light, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Concordia Sagittaria, Italy by Patrizia, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Dallas (TX), USA by turtle, Darmstadt, Germany by Elsch, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Mary, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hong Kong, Hong Kong by Rachel A., Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Ioannina, Greece by Christos-Ioanna, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Malaga, Spain by Paula, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Medan, Indonesia by KT, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Montpellier, France by Marie, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, North Hampton (NH), USA by Amy, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Penang, Malaysia by Maltelda, Perth, Australia by Elevation7, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea by Jules, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Riga, Latvia by Riga Images, Rollag, Norway by Stormel, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, San Francisco (CA), USA by Louis la Vache, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Seoul, South Korea by Phil, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vichy, France by Delphsnl, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

This is me.

And today it is Queensday. The day we celebrate the birthday (actually her mothers but who's to notice) birthday.
As our Queen is one of the house of Orange, we get Orange crazy.
Ever seen the Dutch at a football match? That's what I mean.
We own orange.


Anyway, I wish you all a great Queensday, i will try to sell as much old stuff as I can (everyone tries to make an extra buck, sorry euro today) and will see you tomorrow!

Stadhuisstraat
Detail of one of the entrances of the city hall,
City Hall, built in 1914 is one of the few buildings having survived the bombing and fire of WWII

Vroesepark
I took this photo a couple of days ago. Any one ideas how long it takes for this egg to come out?

Hotel NY
Going out for breakfast is not a very Dutch thing to do.
On a Sunday though, this hotel is packed with guests and other people having bacon and eggs.

Conradstraat

I can watch construction work for hours.

And I don't get any of it.



I am away for a couple of days but thanks to Bloggers awesome draft and planning feature will still be posting. Commenting however needs to wait.

Wilhelminapier

Hotel New York is still an awesome place to have a drink. Or dinner. Or breakfast. Or fall down on a bed of course.

Wilhelminapier, view on the Erasmusbridge