Posted in
City Trip on 04/28/2010 11:58 am by Tiffany
Hello Ladies and Gents.
On April 9th I went to what is quite possibly the BEST amusement park on the planet, Efteling! Efteling is located in Tilburg, Netherlands and is usually a costly adventure (26-29euro depending on the season). However, the lovely international student network at the University of Leiden subsidized a trip for 20 lucky students, and I among them got to enjoy this magical wonder for a mere 10 euro!
First, this amusement park is absolutely massive, approximately 160 acres. The pathways in this park are wider than most roads in the Netherlands. The park is impeccably manicured with beautiful lawns, various shrubs and flowers. But, if the shear perfection of the size and landscaping are not enough to wow you, then the amazing maintenance of this park will. There is not a single building on the grounds that is not fully functional and well painted. There are no dilapidated shacks, no run down queues, no rotting rides, nothing like that! Every aspect of this park is in tip top shape, from the seats on the rides down to the paint on the garbage cans.
Also, unlike most amusement parks, there are numerous high profile rides to enjoy at Efteling. My personal favourite was the Flying Dutchman, but other good ones are the Bird Rok and Pirana. (You know they are good when a ride has its own Wiki page!)
Below are some highlights. I will post all the pictures on my photobucket.
Happy Easter Everyone! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I had a great time spending Easter with my cousins the Vissers in Lelystad.
My mom sent me a warm Easter basket full of goodies. This marks (as she pointed out to me) the last major holiday I will spend away from Canada. It seems the end is near.
Thanks for the goodies mom!
My fellow Canadians,
I feel that some of the tension regarding whether or not to end the Canadian seal slaughter stems out of concern for our fellow Canadians who risk losing their livelihood. I can sympathize that in these difficult economic times, there must be considerable strain put on you to protect the best interests of the citizens you are meant to represent.
However, it must also be noted that there is a morally significant difference between what is right and what is “right now”. At this point in history, the line may not seem clearly drawn to us, that it becomes obvious which decision to make when we are weighing animal welfare with the welfare of our citizens.
I ask you to recall that not so long ago in our global history similar dilemma’s were put before us when we were deliberating between what was right for the North American Negro’s well-being, and what was right then for the industries that thrived off of their segregation and marginalization.
Our forefathers made the right and difficult decision and triumphed the coming age of equality. I am asking you now, make the right and difficult decision, and triumph a new age of humanity; one which demonstrates our values for reason by recognizing that industry is not a morally acceptable reason for denying compassion in the presence of great suffering.
My fellow Canadians, please hear my and spread my voice. Stop the Canadian seal hunt, and put our virtues as rational compassionate beings, over the fleeting interests of economy and the market place. The world has proven it will survive failing industry, but it has never forgiven a failing in moral character.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Laura Junghans