Why Pokemon-Goers Kijkduin should be issued with nappies and poop bags

Passionate about Respect

For the past 6 weeks, my current corner of the world, Kijkduin, The Hague has been the frenzied Dutch Capital of Pokemon-Go with literally hundreds of adepts arriving on foot, bike, bus to chase and catch the Pokemons.

This was all fun and exciting and inhabitants in general did not mind the masses walking and cycling about glued to their mobile phones, the municipality had been quick in setting up toilets, protecting the dune areas and on average they were no real disturbance, no noise or alcohol and it was good for the businesses on the main square.
Things are changing and resentment is growing. I work from home so sit quite a bit behind my computer. I have now caught out three adult men (individually) peeing against the neighbouring building. Not one to keep quiet, I politely enquired what they were doing, causing one alarm, one hesitation, and one threatening look.
Seriously? Public toilets have been erected just 200 metres away.
It is a lack of respect. I don't want to see or smell it, nor do I want my kids to see men waving their appendages from their home windows. Though it is not just the men..one neighbour mentionned he had surprised a woman actually pooping at more or less the same area...

One thing I do notice, is that none of these were the teenagers who were the first to play the game. Progressively the age of players seems to have increased...and these are the ones misbehaving...

So dear Pokemon-goers, enjoy your game, enjoy the thrill, but remember you are a human, and just like we teach toddlers, recognise your need to go and find the right place, or carry poop bags and urine bottles so we can enjoy our home in peace.

Hijab unravelled

Whilst reporting recently at a large social event, I came across photographer Danielle Regout. Energetic and charming we struck up a conversation and found living around the world was a common thread (Danielle was born in Latin America, lived in Canada and Poland before moving to the Netherlands where she lived until her recent move to the UK).
Under the banner of "Purpose and Passion in Action" we found another common ground as she had recently turned away from her job to follow her passion and turn a long standing hobby into her job and become a professional photographer.

Her intention here in this beautiful book, as she states in the foreword is " to give the 31 young Muslim women featured, the opportunity to convey what inspires each of them individually to wear the hijbab".
Personally I found it eye opening. We are so quick to generalise in our condemnation of the hijab as a degrading and restrictive custom, however here we witness with these photos of every day life, the pride and comfort these young women feel wearing it.
Each woman is portrayed by a few photos, some black and white, others colour, and a few lines where they explain what the Hijab means to them.
These modern, cosmopolitan women live in the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium and Canada.
They are proud and very attached to their hijab: as fashion statement, as belonging to a religion, community, and family; as way of instigating conversation, as identity, for confidence and to hide shyness, for pride, out of habit, as sign of elegance, effect and statement and as a way to ground themselves.
I found myself moved by their stories and their pictures. Well done Danielle on having taken a controversial theme and shown a less told aspect of it through the words and images of those wearing it.

www.danielleregout.com

Dining in The Hague: the hidden pearl of the Noordeinde: Restaurant Mazie

Through a wonderful set of coincidences I ended up at the promotional evening of restaurant Mazie in a small, charming side-street of the Noordeinde, oozing History and character.

The theme of the evening “when East meets West” was brainchild of cook Takis Panagakis, originating in his half Greek heritage and passion for Japanese cuisine. Mixing Greek and Japanese? I was not so sure… though he did point out a large amount of similarities in ingredients used.

Let alone tasting a large variety of his culinary creations, the evening also involved three demonstrations:

-        Takis’s Greek lentil soup (family recipe)

-        Harbour Club chef prepared sushi

-        Van Rangelrooij demonstrated how knives were made and sharpened and showed footage of their visit to knife makers in Japan

This charming, stylish restaurant, which usually caters to around 36 guests (plus a private dining area of 10-12 upstairs) was set up for the occasion in long tables d’hotes where guests (mix of long standing clients, new ones, friends and family - the event was sold out in one day!) mingled with wonderful spontaneous warmth as we enjoyed, delighted and discussed the many tantalising dishes which came our way, all presented like mini works of art and complemented by delicious Greek wines and Japanese beverages (sake, Japanese Beer and plum wine).

Not one dish lacked in subtlety and originality: this was an exceptional evening for the taste buds.

Dishes included sashimi of langoustines served with ponzu vinaigrette, augotaracho, greek salad sorbet, kyuri cucumber served with freeze dried Japanese tomatoes; and Lamb kleftiko style with smoked aubergine salad with soya sauce, puree of fasalada, retsina, pita bread yakitori and tsatsiki. Just to give you an idea! My mouth is watering as I write.

Enhancing this wonderfully intimate setting and joyful atmosphere was undoubtedly the conviviality of owner Koen Cramer and of chef Takis, everyone was relaxed and open and conversations filled the air, punctuated by outbursts of laughter. 

The three demonstrations brought a learning complement to this most magical of evenings and I left feeling indeed I had discovered a pearl and eager to come back and experience the cuisine on a “normal” night too.

None of us could believe how late it was once we had had our third dessert; time had disappeared as we enjoyed our heart-warming bubble of pleasure. To soften the departure we were presented with a beautiful bag bulging with goodies donated by the sponsors including a jar of the Lentil soup cooked in front of us. I have just enjoyed mine: A divine, hearty soup exploding with taste enhanced by a point of vinegar.

And now I shall book my next meal.

The restaurant opens for lunch on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (on reservation) and is closed Sunday and Monday.

And because sometimes it is good to share secrets: www.restaurantmazie.nl