The WIP #20: The Hague
The Week in Photos (11-17 May 2024)
I don't mind hosting people (or being hosted) but it is sometimes nice to meet friends halfway. You can find an Airbnb and hang out while exploring a new city.
Last weekend we visited The Hague to see dear friends. At a time when most Airbnbs are soulless serviced apartments designed to be rented out, it was nice to stay in a family home in a quiet neighbourhood.
We did visit The Mauritshuis and I was awestruck by the aura of the Vermeers. Despite a million reproductions, I was overwhelmed.
The Hague is incredibly civilised, with trams and bike lanes everywhere making it peaceful.
Although not officially the capital, it is the seat of government and has the Madurodam, a theme park that recreates miniature versions of famous Dutch buildings. J was delighted.
As was Laura, embracing the new giant sized interactive artworks based on Dutch masters.
We stopped off in Amsterdam on the way back, visiting the extortionate Marina Abramovic show (€32.50!). Alas, the only performance we saw was the one where you squeeze through naked bodies in a doorway.
It was just about worth it for the early work, but she has really careered off into trite mysticism. After the exhibition there was a table with rice and lentils for visitors to count mindfully. This is the broom for cleaning up afterwards.
On the recommendation of
, who recently interviewed Abramovic for Foam, we relaxed in Vondelpark.
Back in Glasgow, it was a delight to co-host Glasgow’s first ever Substack Writers meetup with Lindsay Johnstone. Online, we are all in our niches. IRL, you can make entirely new connections. Here is Peter McLaughlin, Mike Sowden, Debbie Horrocks, Dr. Mariana Calleja Ross, Strange Exiles, Rachel, Richard Capener, Marissa MacWhirter, Lindsay Johnstone, and Laura Gonzalez.
Until next week!