There is a Dutch documentary called "Amusement Park the Netherlands", which tells the story of how many Dutch people spend their free time. It is a fascinating film. It pays attention to a shopping centre in one of the polders, where the manager spends time in his room over the gate watching people leave the centre. He counts the number of plastic bags people carry to determine if they have bought enough. And then there is the man in another town, who is in charge of the Chocolate Festival, an event to promote the town. There is a wonderful moment when he has to keep a lot of children quiet who have been promised that they can eat a big chocolate bed in a furnishings shop. So many small dramas, so many different events for people to take part in, some completely alien to me. I loved watching this film, and yes I know it is a mirror...
About two weeks ago I was at the Dutch Bird Fair, where I have helped out at one of the stands for several years now. Anything to support the Save the Albatross Campaign. But this year I did look at it all slightly differently. The film maker could have shot part of his film here, and it would have fitted in very well. A lot of volunteers, people selling binoculars, art, and birding trips. Fun things to do for the children, lectures and excursions, lots of announcements over the PA system.
There are people I meet once a year, just at this festival, I meet up with people I've met on my travels in the Southern Ocean over the years, and I meet some new people every year. To me that is becoming the charm of the festival, and some other events like this one. And I like to observe, the people, the things that happen, the characters. It's good fun. So I guess I am well and truly Dutch after all.
For some pictures check the Bird Fair website:
Vogelfestival
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