“How much are you asking for that three wheeler?” 

“Three Euro, “

“I will take it for two,” 

 “Done.” 

Free market

Along  the sides of the streets are children and parents, sitting side by side, with huge plastic sheets spread out full of second hand ware, which acts as a makeshift shop.

Streets are a-bustling with people young and old who are in a festive and jovial mood, and as a Dutch would put it, ‘gezellig’, meaning pleasant. There is music everywhere and the towns and cities are all covered in orange flags. Everyone is wearing something orange, which is the national colour of The Netherlands. It is time for one of my favourite national holiday, a typical Dutch ‘King’s day’ celebration!

King’s Day

Queen’s Day ‘Koninginnedag’, which since 2014 is known as the King’s Day ‘Koningsdag’ as we now have a king. I love this day, because of the way this day is celebrated.

This is the only day when permit-free markets are allowed to be held. A day where thriftiness of the land is at its height. A day when all attic or garage junk finds its way onto the streets of Holland, and then eventually finds its way to another attic or garage! For people who are looking for second hand goods for a good bargain, this is the day they should not miss.

Junk moving

Come to think of it in a way I do like playing shop I suppose. For I too, load my car with all the household junk and ride to the centre of our town. There I spread out my plastic sheet or rug and display my ware for the prospective buyer who is in a mood to collect as much junk for a good price. For me it is not the sale I make but the fact of just being a part of the entire ambiance that I love so much. Mostly, by the end of the day, my car is almost empty and my pockets are full and jingling as I head home feeling happy and light-hearted! As I think of all the clothes I can buy for the orphanage back home.

This is an extract form my book Dutch-ess From the Himalayas

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