The fascinating geography and history of The Hague. The forest you see in the foreground was a couple of thousands of years ago; the coastal dunes and the North Sea started just at the end of the forest, where you see the first buildings. More of these still slightly elevated areas of former dunes are in the city, known as beach walls. You notice them, for instance, when cycling through The Hague; when you have to push a bit more because the road is going up a little, you likely cycle up what was once a much higher dune landscape. If you take a closer look once you are on such a higher point (we talk about just a few meters, sometimes even less), you often notice that the buildings look nicer, are older, or more important. The same is true for the trees: older and bigger on slightly higher ground.
Although moving rooms at 2a is never fun, it was a wonderful sign of you taking charge of your life where you can…not allowing yourself to be at the mercy of noisy others that night and suffering the next day from lack of sound sleep. It’s always fascinating to venture into the old sections of cities, to feel the substance and to see the history of a tree, building, town, region and country.
Love the picture to go with the blank canvas analogy. In many ways, that's what the past two years have taught us. We can no longer just make plans for the entire year, be it travel plans or plans to meet people or just general plans for our lives
What an interesting history/geography lesson. 2am might not have been the best time to read and really appreciate it. I'm generally fascinated by dunes and can relate to navigation changes in elevation on your bike. It also made me realize that there are areas like that in the old towns of probably most of our cities. I mean there are always prime locations - something to look for next time I'm in a Swiss city.
While everybody went to the movies I read this newsletter. I got to know The Hague better on January the 1st.. Where would we be without Geography? And an understanding of the physical evidence of times past? Make tomorrow great again? Thank you Alexander for writing (-:
If the past two years have shown us anything, it’s that whatever plans we make can change in a moment. Still, it’s our nature to look ahead with hopeful plans. A very thoughtful concept to approach the year as a blank canvas to fill with anticipation. Let’s hope those in power will fill our canvas with good decisions and actions that heal our planet, benefit all of humanity and nature and we can look back on 2022 as a very good year.
The brief description and history of The Hague is wonderful as is the photo. Such an historic place I’d love to someday visit.
I hope your personal canvas will be a masterpiece of beautiful things, good health, happiness and your dreams fulfilled.
The first day of the year is my favorite day. I call it Tabula Rasa. Clean slate.
Although moving rooms at 2a is never fun, it was a wonderful sign of you taking charge of your life where you can…not allowing yourself to be at the mercy of noisy others that night and suffering the next day from lack of sound sleep. It’s always fascinating to venture into the old sections of cities, to feel the substance and to see the history of a tree, building, town, region and country.
Love the picture to go with the blank canvas analogy. In many ways, that's what the past two years have taught us. We can no longer just make plans for the entire year, be it travel plans or plans to meet people or just general plans for our lives
What an interesting history/geography lesson. 2am might not have been the best time to read and really appreciate it. I'm generally fascinated by dunes and can relate to navigation changes in elevation on your bike. It also made me realize that there are areas like that in the old towns of probably most of our cities. I mean there are always prime locations - something to look for next time I'm in a Swiss city.
Thank you!
While everybody went to the movies I read this newsletter. I got to know The Hague better on January the 1st.. Where would we be without Geography? And an understanding of the physical evidence of times past? Make tomorrow great again? Thank you Alexander for writing (-:
If the past two years have shown us anything, it’s that whatever plans we make can change in a moment. Still, it’s our nature to look ahead with hopeful plans. A very thoughtful concept to approach the year as a blank canvas to fill with anticipation. Let’s hope those in power will fill our canvas with good decisions and actions that heal our planet, benefit all of humanity and nature and we can look back on 2022 as a very good year.
The brief description and history of The Hague is wonderful as is the photo. Such an historic place I’d love to someday visit.
I hope your personal canvas will be a masterpiece of beautiful things, good health, happiness and your dreams fulfilled.
Happy New Year!