Doing the time warp. Again.

Yesterday, an intrepid and unprecedented four of us rallied to ESN's call to visit the Openluchtmuseum, or Open Air Museum, in Arnhem. I had expected something like the Zuiderzee museum, but was quite wrong.



It's not in as spectacular position as the Zuiderzee Museum, but it's much larger, and instead of being a recreation of a turn-of-the-century Dutch community, it's more an outdoor exhibition devoted to the Netherlands through the years. So there are plenty of older buildings, and of course, plenty of windmills dotted all over the place.



But alongside the more traditional variety of things they were also hosting a themed event, based on the 'Swinging 60s and 70s', which meant that mixed up with all this old-history, there were VW Hippie Wagons and people dressed up in, fantastic (had to be said) 70s clothing, all of whom were living in authentic 70s campervans on a field in the middle of the museum.




I of course lapped it all up. I'm a child of the 80s, but have always felt a worrying affinity for the 70s, so I felt right at home walking around the peeking into the little caravans and tents that people had set up. (Yes, I really do want that little mini-caravan.) And that's what made it all the more stranger, the whole 'commune' was open to the public to wander around, you could sit in their chairs, go into the caravans, use their equipment etc, but none of us knew who the people living their were. Were they employees? Enthusiasts? No idea. And that made it all the more surreal, especially when you saw them walking around and talking to people dressed up in clogs.

The whole place was pretty enchanting, and surprisingly empty for such a lovely Saturday.


There were plenty of examples of traditional Dutch industry, including a blacksmith (who must have been cursing his choice of profession given the weather), and a heart-warming indication that child labour is still alive and well in the Netherlands.



I guess that old habits die hard! A little historic tram line around the park and a lunch of poffertjes just topped off the day, as did the realisation that I haven't been charged my room rent this month - I wonder how long it'll take them to figure that one out?!

Things are likely to get a little less sedate today and tomorrow, for tonight is Koninginnenacht and tomorrow is Koninginnedag - a Royal celebration which provides a nice reason for the whole country to experience a 36 hour street party. Can't see Queen Elizabeth II sanctioning something like that in a hurry.