Hello from The Hague

Greetings from wonderful, snowy Netherlands!

To our surprise, we arrived in Amsterdam to a snow covered city!  Once we collected our luggage and went through customs, we joined two groups of students from South Africa and Turkey for our bus ride to our respective hotels in The Hague.  The ride was approximately 45 minutes which gave us an opportunity to see the countryside.  It was so nice to see people and children of all ages skating and playing hockey on frozen ponds.  As we got closer to the city, we surprised to see so many people riding their bicycles on snowy sidewalks and roads.  Our bus driver was an excellent tour guide and shared major points of interest including several government ministries, the area where the Queen lives, and the International Court of Justice.  Along the roadside were canals weaving their way through the city and quaint homes that were built in the Art Deco style. 

Our hotel is located on a narrow side street housed in three attached former residences.  The group takes up one entire townhouse!  The rooms are comfortable, and two rooms include a full kitchen.  We expect our students to be preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner with such accommodations!  What caught us off guard, however, were the two, narrow, spiral staircases that we had to climb with luggage in tow.  Everyone helped each other carry luggage all while giggling about the steps.  Once settled in our rooms, we rested for about two hours before heading outdoors to explore this part of The Hague and to have dinner.

It was recommended that we walk on Frederik Hendrik Street since it is filled with small shops, restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops.  We popped into an amazing cheese shop and couldn't get over the numerous types of cheese for sale.  Dinner was enjoyed at "Favors" - a small restaurant that served very generous portions of food.  By 6:00 p.m. all shops were closed except for the grocery store where we purchased various items. 

We're now back in the hotel, and the students are putting finishing touches to the well-prepared resolutions that they worked on over the past month.  Tomorrow, we will have an early start and travel to Delft with a private guide.  We have a four-hour tour of the city scheduled and will then return to The Hague to formally register for the conference.  Our president and vice-president of the club will attend a head delegate meeting in the afternoon. 

We wish you all a "Goedenavond!"
(Mary Frances Bryja)