Westerpaviljoen. In the cup it says; The Dutch have spread coffee worldwide. Seems a bit weird to me. The Arabs introduced coffee through Turkey into Europe. I looked up the fact that we seem to be drinking 142 liters per person per year (average 3 cups a day). Most of it is drunk at home, but also at the office or in a café.
DWL terrein. With the Brienenoordbrug in the back I came across this herd of sheep in the midst of a residential area!
Scheepstimmermanlaan. If you like the outside of this flower shop, you should definitely go in or check out his soon to open webshop.
Lloydstraat. A couple of days ago I told you I wasn't a big fan of ivy(which actually turned out to be Virginnia Creeper) Restaurant Ivy however, I am a fan of :) Here you see my husband sitting next to the table where our host was preparing 2 Nitro coctails! We had a great time with lots of delicious and intriguing food!
Schouwburgplein. Because of Rotterdam being Youth Capital 2009, some students of the Graphical School in Rotterdam were given the chance to participate in a masterclass by photographer Vincent Dekker. The result; people who visited the recent summer festivals in Rotterdam, can be seen till the end of November on the 3 huge air shafts on the square.
Pijnackerplein. During the 19th century Rotterdam grew from 72,000 till over 300,000 and as the city center was full, the borders of the city were stretched. In this case the North polderland was dried and these houses, for the better off, were built. Since then the street and adjacent square have seen many ups and downs but after huge renovations, the street looks pretty again, with houses dating back till 1890.
I went to see the exhibition about Edward Hopper in the Kunsthal recently and afterwards had a drink in the cafe you see here.
Vasteland. This fish and seafood shop is without exagerating one of the best of the country. Also one of the most well-known ones. When I was here on an ordinary weekday, the place was packed, and there was even a tv crowd working in the front.
Rotterdams Uitburo, Korte Hoogstraat. Uit has nothing to do with (coming) out. It means to go out, to have fun. So an Uitburo is where you buy tickets for shows, for plays or dance performances. And through their website you can also book last minute tickets with a 50% discount. Now that always gets the Dutch hearts beating :)
St. Jacobsplaats. Being a dog in a big city it is not easy getting enough space I can imagine. This is one of the (few) designated dog outlet/run locations we have. These outlets are the only places where you don't have to remove your doggies errr.... poop. Anywhere else in the city that is obliged as dog poop has been in the top 3 of annoyances for too long a time.
Korte Hoogstraat. If you have kids and no idea what to do today; go visit the library. On account of the Childrens Book Week I told you about a couple of days ago, there are all sorts of activities taking place. You can eat cookies with Hansel & Gretel, picknick with little Red Ridinghood, have certain books signed by their author, follow workshops such as How to pimp your placemat or paint your potholder. I am telling you; anything is possible today.
Corner 's-Gravendijkwal/1e Middellandstraat. It is not freezing cold (yet) but we are having showers and grey days already. I hate that part of autumn. Luckily the weather in the Netherlands hardly stays the same for a couple of hours. Later that afternoon the sun came out again. Wishing you all a dry and nice weekend!
Korte Hoogstraat. Yesterday the Childrens Book Week started and this years theme is: Food and candy in childrens book. I must admit we just happened to be in the library but when my son and daughter understood you got candy if you joined in on a quiz, they were easily persuaded. In fact you see the 2 of them standing here as last survivors, coz the quiz was about food AND the last question was, what tiramisu was.
Witte de Withstraat. This, ladies and gents, is the best cafe in the world according to the Lonely Planet mainly because of its nice mingle of visitors. This is what they have to say about it themselves: Café De Witte Aap is the core of the Witte de Withstraat, the cultural district of Rotterdam. Seven days a week the café opens its doors at one o’clock in the afternoon to remain open until very late at night. The day begins quietly with art-lovers and people taking a rest from shopping with a nice coffee, or a refreshing drink. At the end of the afternoon the café becomes more and more crowded with, students, creative people and people coming from the offices nearby. Before you know it you will be enjoying the vibrant nightlife of Rotterdam!
The fifth SS Rotterdam, known as "The Grande Dame", was launched by Queen Juliana in a gala ceremony on 13 September 1958, and completed the following summer. The Rotterdam was the last great Dutch "ship of state", employing the finest artisans from Holland in her construction and fitting out process. With a career spanning forty years, she was also one of the most successful passenger ships of all time. She sailed from 1959 until her final retirement in the fall of 2000.
Rotterdam, central station. Some call it the most beautiful subway station of the Netherlands, but the facts are that for starters it is delivered (Amsterdam is still suffering from a break down caused by the extra budget needed for their railway systems and the extra costs from technical failures) AND that is very light and colourful. It's just a start though, the station will be closed down several times the coming years to connect both international and national extra lines to it.
First of the month and todays theme is Contrast.
