I think I commented last year that, although Den Haag allegedly plays the conservative and well-heeled to Amsterdam's diverse and bohemian, the area in which I am living is as diverse as they come. I am regularly one of the few fair (as in pale) faces on the #1 tram. Sit on this tram for its full journey and you pass from visibly poor to extremely opulent. Nevertheless I've struck little begging in Holland - though there was one little lady at Station Holland Spoor the other day who grabbed my arm and pointedly asked for "MONEY".
In contrast, beggars were definitely visible in Brussels, disconcertingly approaching cars at intersections and shaking containers of coins. I was intrigued by Lauren and Merel's comparisons between Holland and Belgium as we crossed the border - comments that began with the poor state of Belgian roads and driving and continued on to observations about the dual nationality (Flemish/French) composition of the country which has apparently hamstrung the government for years. There was a definite 'them and us' flavour to this conversation!
Yesterday in Utrecht, two young men busking in a square, one on guitar, the other singing his heart out, in English. And he was good. I sat down to listen and watch. It must be a bit dispiriting. Not many people stop or leave a few coins. But something I have noticed before, at home as well as here. Families with little children will give a coin to a toddler to drop in the guitar case or equivalent. I find that really heartening.
Finally, why is it that all train stations seem to attract major roadworks/rebuilding? Delft, Utrecht, Den Haag Centraal... all beset with labyrinthine construction/entrances/exits. It's a test for the tourist - if you can survive and navigate the arrival, you're set for the rest of the experience! I still struggle with the framing of the travelling experience. So, from yesterday, the first photo is most likely to 'represent' Utrecht but the second is just as much (probably more) a part of the reality.
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