Windmills, clogs, traditional costumes, farming, tulips, cheese, bicycles etc. You name it all the very nice prejudices to mock that tiny little country that does deem itself to be quite something.
We're seen to be a country where you can do whatever you like. A liberal state with liberties without bounderies.
I won't deny the jist of it. Yes you can go into a coffeeshop(don't make the mistake to go there for just coffee), you can visit the red light district. We are open to a lot of liberal ideas on life, love and basically anything. But surprisingly the regulations on drugs and prostitution are there to control what's going on anyway, a realistic approach. Which seems to be working quite well for safety and health reasons. And if you don't agree well you don't have to take or do it.
The old windmills are hardly used and the costumes are mainly only around for the tourists.
We are for a big part still a farming country; in very very small places there, they put a tent in a field and throw parties. It had me in the stitches when I had to go and work there to find that people there even wear their clogs when going out.
One tiny bit of advice for the ones amongst you wanting to visit. Mind the bicycles. That is one big truth, there are many, they have their own pretty paths but we're fast and dangerous on them so keep those eyes open.

Meeting a bunch of foreigners is always fun. I'm always curious to hear what the first association of The Netherlands is. It often also says a lot about the person.

Quite a ramble about not so much really. And only to make the statement that there is many a days when I really am not bothered about being Dutch, bar one day;
April 30th aka Queen's day The best damn day to be Dutch and to show it. Finally made it to Amsterdam last year and well; great company, great music, great atmosphere of everyone being happy and the bright cheeryness of all things orange = best day of the year

ps. this is what it should look like; http://www.centrum.amsterdam.nl/Afbe...

1. With a little convincing, go Val!, there is now a bebo-bandpage that everyone should notice and preferably become a groupie of: http://jamiecullumofficial.bebo.com


2. Other than that I find essay's with a vague question quite rubbish to write

3. The snow today was a lovely sight.....from the inside, since I was unfortunately forced to work with a deadline breathing down my neck

4. I do know deadlines can't breath

5. I made a quiz (which is not that amazing though)

6. This is kinda silly so I'll stop

If you are lucky enough to understand dutch go to me28.punt.nl
Elseway tough luck 'cause I can't be arsed to write proper updates(other than my LJ, but well that is topsecret stuff in there)