The day I got caught in the Marching Band

This weekend, Tattoo Delft 2012 and Monument Day made Delft a crowded, musical, and festive little town. Tattoo Delft happens every two years, where marching bands from all over come to strut their stuff. The Thursday Market was closed this week due to transforming the space of the Markt into a stadium with grandstands. Fog machines, major lighting, and a pirate ship were included in the installation to add to the dramatic effect. On Saturday afternoon, while the family went to Den Haag to shop for bakfiets (bicycles with a wagon attached to the front for transporting multiple children), I relished in free time to go shopping at the Saturday Market. The narrow streets were so crowded because of Monument day (free entry to all monuments), that it was difficult for me to haul my bike around. But it didn't stop me from loading my bike up with kilos and kilos of produce from the market. Soon my bags were so full that I had to stop and make a trip home to lighten the load. 

On my route home, I encountered the parade of marching bands that was scheduled to happen at one. The streets were lined with families and tourists, enjoying the flare of the marching bands. I pulled my bike over and snapped some pictures, disappointed that I couldn't get a better shot. I continued on my way home, now altering my route to try and find a crossing over a canal that didn't interfere with the parade. As it turns out, I didn't need to fret about not getting close enough for a picture of the parade, because I just kept running into it! 

They guy to the right in the teal shirt seemed aggravated
that he couldn't get his bike across the street, what with
the endless line of military musicians and all

I'm not sure if these ladies were actually a part of the parade,
or just Monument Day workers swept up in the parade

They just kept coming!

After an afternoon full of shopping, I began cooking new recipes for dinner - A quinoa salad with proportions meant for a wedding (seriously), and a pesto and tomato pasta for the boys. Right then, we received an unexpected gift from our friendly neighbor, Nan - a juicer! She had an extra one and offered it to us. So while I cooked, Alex and Jasper made freshly squeezed lemonade and orange juice - yum! For dessert, we celebrated our one month of living here with a pear tart, then I excused myself early so that I could catch a movie. The filmhouse is literally across the street, so I left at the same time the movie started and was still early. I'll never get over the commute! Before I left, I asked Claire if she could keep her eyes peeled for an eye mask that I lost in the load of laundry (minor detail, but important fact to this story). 

I went to see Woody Allan's flick, "To Rome, With Love." While disappointed with the movie itself (it was half in Italian with Dutch subtitles, so maybe I was missing the key message to the plot, but I have a feeling that the language barrier was no excuse), I was completely charmed with the film house and overall experience. The theater is attached to an adorable cafe/bar, which you can order a cappaccino, complete with cup and saucer, or glass of wine (any beverage) to enjoy while watching the movie. Then, half way through the movie, they stop it for an intermission, which actually is really nice after it dawns on you that it is indeed an intermission and they weren't just kicking you out in the middle of the movie. The seats are pretty retro and comfy, and the theater itself is rather intimate. Additionally, before and after the movie, the owner of the theater makes an appearance to introduce the film, and thank you for coming to the show.

I left the theater and walked the few steps home, feeling so happy because: I got myself some kid-free time, experienced going to a movie in another country, you can't beat a commute like this, it's a September evening and it still feels like summer, and well, I'm here in Holland! I came home to a sleeping house, so I quietly took off my shoes and made my way upstairs. When I got to the main floor, I saw that there was a gift waiting for me on the kitchen table. The table was clean, with a single light above it to illuminate what was waiting for me below - my laundered eye mask and a box, decorated by a circle of lemons. On the box it read, "Chelsea, een beetje meer." "a little bit more." Inside the box was a slice of pear tart, which I knew was a really big deal for the boys to offer me the last piece, when they could have easily, happily devoured it.  How Horner-Devine :)

"Chelsea, een beetje meer."