European holiday...den Haag

Yesterday we set off in the dark of the early morning once again, being dropped off at Leiden station by Liz. Without much ado, we managed to find our way onto the appropriate platform for the train to den Haag, or The Hague , as we would call it in English.










The journey only took about fifteen minutes, so the first stop once we had arrived was coffee and hot chocolate in the first sit in coffee shop we could find. The chocolate is served with a cup of hot milk and a lump of chocolate on a stick. This is melted in the milk, and then you can drink it.










Den Haag originated in 1230, and was granted city rights in 1806. It is the third largest city in the Netherlands , and the largest on the
North Sea. It has a population of 500,000, incorporating 73 different nationalities. It is the seat of Dutch government and parliament, the Supreme Court, and Council of State. The international Court of Justice and the international Criminal court are also there.









Aysha led us through the streets as we explored and shopped in the old lane ways filled with old buildings housing modern shops.

We visited the humanity house where we took part in what is called "an experience" or "a journey of discovery "

A journey of discovery
At the Humanity House you can see, hear and experience what it is like to have to survive a conflict or disaster. We cannot even imagine what it must be like to lose everything we take foA journey of discovery At the Humanity House you can see, hear and experience what it is like to have to survive a conflict or disaster. We cannot even imagine what it must be like to lose everything we take for granted, to have to flee your home all of a sudden without knowing if you will ever return, or to lose your friends and family and have to find them again without a phone or fixed address. Disasters and conflicts influence the lives of many millions of people around the world. A journey of discovery through the museum makes the unimaginable imaginable. It’s as if you find yourself in the place of a refugee

This journey took you through a series of rooms, corridors and areas that a person might experience as a refugee. In one of the rooms there was a sign on the wall which told you that " you don't exist, look in the mirror"








When you looked in the mirror, you were not able to see yourself. I was very amused to be told later by Aysha that it was actually a hole in the wall, and not a mirror. I had been completely taken in! We enjoyed a Chinese meal in Chinatown , and then slowly made our way back to the station for our journey home, via the shoe shop where Aysha had found a pair of boots to purchase a little earlier. Once again, a comfortable train journey, having the ticket inspectors check our cards. After only a few minutes wait, the bus to took us to the Winkelhof , where we did a little shopping and ran into Liz, to have a ride home in the car. A nice finish to a great day.

Location: Leiderdorp,The Netherlands