| Current mood: |  determined |
| Current music: | Beck-Satan gave me a taco |
I do not speak Nederlandisch
Today my brother, my parents and I went to Valkenburg, in the Netherlands.
Valkenburg has been around since Roman times apparently, and in the town they have castle ruins, an old palace, and something else that is quite unique.
They have what they call a CITY CAVE. The romans first mined the hill near the town almost 2000 years ago for the sort of stone that was found inside, for use in construction. Many buildings in the area, including the city's cathedral, the castle (part of which still stands) and most of the old city downtown are made of this type of rock, which came from the CAVE. I guess it was the Romans who came up with the idea to make it a public area for all to see and run through after certain areas had been mined for the valuable stone, as there was no other use for the open space under the hill.
The people of Valkenburg took up the call, and made it into an underground gallery, museum, and art exhibit. People through the centuries have taken up carving tools to etch in and on the stone walls of the cave renderings of famous people of the day, or life sized sculptures of dinosaurs, or a 5 meter high champagne bottle.
It was an interesting tour, although I must say I got very little from our guide--who spoke in the mother tongue of the Dutch--I had to guess at the meaning of much of what he said.
I just hope I do not have to endure very many more outings with my family. I love them and everything, but after having lived on my own for a few years now, I just don't feel quite so comfortable as I used to on touristy trips that we take.
Tomorrow I continue my job search. I hope to be employed by the end of the week, so I can then go out on my own into the country to get into all sorts of trouble, and have horrible times all by myself (without so many other people around).
I don't think I'll end up in Tangier, Or Baku, but maybe I'll end up in Munich, or Vienna.
SATAN GAVE ME A TACO
23
(Read comments)
|
