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| Leiden flag |
This weekend was the Relief of Leiden, or Leids ontzet. It is to celebrate the relief after the Spanish siege on October 3rd. The entire city was completely transformed, and it was like the North Carolina State Fair was put in the center of the city. There were rides, food and drink booths, dancing tents and concerts spread all over Leiden. It was a site to see. I was very excited to ride the Crazy Mouse roller coaster, but as I should have expected, the rides were ridiculously overpriced... Crazy Mouse alone was eight euros.
The past two nights I stayed with friends in town so that I could participate without having to catch the 12 am train back to the Hague. Their apartment is located right above Einstein's, the pub where all international student events are held, so it was a great home base for all the activity this weekend. My weekend hosts were nice enough to provide me with a blow-up bed, sheets, and a comforter! I basically had my own room with the living room to myself, so they will be lucky to get rid of me now.
The party never stopped the whole time I was there, and is still going on- luckily not directly outside anymore. The weekend continues tomorrow, and everyone in Leiden gets the day off. I'll probably go back in to celebrate, but for now I am burnt out! It's hard to describe what it was like, so I've put up some pictures that should give some idea of what it looks like. These same places have been in other posts, and as you can tell, they are basically unrecognizable. It's been a very fun weekend and I hope it will continue tomorrow!
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| Rides around the Windmill de Valk |
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| Lucia, me, and Cat |
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| Someone I don't know posing with all the trash blanketing Leiden |
Hi Lillian Sounds like the festival was great! But do the people just throw trash in the street and then have someone clean it up? The pole vaulting across the canal would have been really fun to watch! Gosh to be young and have an apartment right above a pub enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!! Love, sharon
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