I tried the television and found news about queen and outside atmosphere. It seemed quite order and less people from the TV program, boys wore orange color clothes playing special games, girls were singing songs to the viewers, some people were selling clothes and foods along the streets… I still have a vivid memory about last Queen’s day: the children at Vondelpark, the full of garbage, the crowd people and the loud music… there was a difference between my imagination and the things shown on the television. Looking at the continuous rain, it might be true that this time would be different.

 

In the afternoon I felt much better when the bright sunshine was showing up, my curiosity suggested me to go out and to enjoy this special day. Calling my friend, she said we would meet at Museumplein. But on arrival, a range of things insisted that they too deserved to be included within my imagination. For example, a large stage, decorated with the blue, red and white lights; a small garbage bin where a policeman sat in an orderly blue suit and gazed at a drunk person while the crowd people that began to shout and blew their loudhailers, big orange color advertisements above on the bus stops, a confusion of taxi drivers and tour guides around the cross streets… and if there was a problem with this profusion of images, it was that they made it hard for me to decide to go where. I thought it must be miraculous if I would be able to find my friend in the midst of so many people. I had no thought in my mind. My eyes were bewildered, and if their path would have been drawn by a pencil, the sky would soon turn dark by the random lines. I felt I lacked the energy and had no courage to continue my search.

 

I knew that word “Queen’s day” for many people means happiness and having fun, but it means little to me now. I tend to say this atmosphere would not be congenial to me. This is what I saw during my quick walk.