Cycling home at night

This photo was taken last night as I cycled home from my book club.

I feel it is significant for a number of reasons, not least the subject of the photo. I couldn't resist stopping and taking a picture, not least because it's a beautiful building (which doesn't quite come out in my photo). The building in question is the Peace Palace, often called the seat of international law, as it houses (amongst other things) the International Court of Justice (the principal judicial body of the UN) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. But I suppose what makes it interesting to me is that, as an internationally significant building, it is very accessible - on our doorstep, part of our everyday life. Amber's Brownies are just round the corner; we often play in a park from which you can see the Peace Palace. This, I feel, is very typical of life in The Hague. There is an egalitarian feel to life here - no fuss, no ceremony. It's just the way life is.

A further example: recently, Robyn's class visited the Binnenhof, which is the Dutch Parliament building, and who should they see driving past, but the Dutch Prime Minister. I'm sure she said he got out and said hello to them! Apparently he is often seen cycling to work too.

The photo was taken at 11pm at night. I wouldn't dream of cycling home at that time in the UK, but due to the wonderful experience that cycling is over here, it's commonplace to be cycling home after a night out! There were loads of us doing exactly that.

(My final point is that, as you will now gather, I have been invited to be part of a book club. I have yet to propose our book for the month. Any suggestions??)