Editing CS Newsletter for the Netherlands 2010.2 (section)

===Queensday 2010. Who parties along?===

Most people who come to the Netherlands have heard about it at least once. The day that all Dutch people act even more silly than usual. The day that the country is orange. And the day that everyone is (beyond) drunk. We're obviously talking about.. Queensday!
 
Queensday is a national holiday in The Netherlands, on April 30th. This is the birthday of our Queen Mother, Juliana. We do so since 1949. Before that it was celebrated on august 31st, the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina (she's the grandmother of our recent Queen). In 1948 her daughter, Juliana, became Queen and the holiday moved to April 30th. Back in the days, Queensday was no more than just a regular weekday (and the birth date of the Queen). The royal family never attended any festivities. Nowadays, almost everyone has got the day off and Queensday has become the national holiday of the year. 
In case you're wondering why we still celebrate the birthday of our Queen Mother: Our current Queen is born on January 31st. As most of you know, you can never count on the Dutch weather (and winter time it isn’t reliable at all). Queen Beatrix therefore decided to honor her mother by keeping Queensday on April 30th (but also to have a bigger chance of a sunny day). 

What's special about this day? The royal family attends and participates in many activities (you can watch it live on tv, it's not very interesting really ;)). Every year, they visit a different city in The Netherlands. This year they will visit Middelburg and Vlissingen (Zeeland). 

 
'''Couchsurfing the night before!
'''

For Couchsurfing, Queensday means not just a DAY of activities and parties. No, we have a WEEK filled with fun things! 

Couchsurfing starts the week traditionally during Queensnight with events in The Hague, Amsterdam and Utrecht. Originally, The Hague was the first city to celebrate Queensnight with a lot of live music throughout the whole city. Soon after other cities followed The Hague’s example. CS The Hague organizes a fun night in [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=67418 the city] with traditional Dutch food and party in the center.  
In [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=62852 Amsterdam] they know how to party, too! During Queensnight you can join the CS Amsterdam members in a pub in the very typical Amsterdam surrounding; the Jordaan district. ‘A great opportunity to meet other CS members and dodgy locals’ (at least, that's what the meeting page says). 

Ever played Musical Chairs? I’m sure you did. It is a nostalgic game which you can play In [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=64743 Utrecht]. Utrecht has also one of the biggest Queensday flee markets of the country, which opens during Queensnight. Get there early with fellow CS’ers and get to the best stuff first. Or just make a competition out of finding the weirdest, craziest rubbish. Really, be amazed by what people used to have in their homes and want to get rid of now!

Also smaller cities have parties during Queensnight. [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=67641 Enschede] for instance has a free party with DJ's and also a CouchSurfing meeting. 

'''Queensday'''

Partied hard during Queensnight? Well.. get some Ibuprofen, a new beer and suck it up. There is no time to sleep, because the party continues. 
The place to be on Queensday is [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=62856 Amsterdam]. Over half a million people visit the country’s capital to celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday. Throughout the city there are parties everywhere, people are selling things and you’ll find the traditional games. Don’t be surprised if people try to make money by giving you a kiss, hug or whatever. The Dutch are always keen on money and Queensday is the best opportunity to make some profit. 
The biggest party for CouchSurfing is also in Amsterdam. Right where it all happens. CS Amsterdam is organizing a real CS-Camp down in the Vondelpark. The park is a nice place to relax, regain your powers for the next party, chat with other CS’ers, play music and have a BBQ together. Besides that, walk around the city center! It will be crowded and you move slowly, but the experience is simply unique. 

If you feel you haven’t partied enough by the end of the day; you might want to head east. [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=68347 Zwolle] organizes their first Monthly meeting! CS Zwolle chose Queensday as a the kick-off for their regular meeting; which better day to start it? It'll start at 20.00 so it is a great opportunity for an after party. 

'''I still have plenty of energy left: what’s next?'''

Don’t worry! As said before, CS Netherlands has a week filled with activities! Other activities you can enjoy are:
•	May 1st – Rural Cinema in [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=60092 Wognum]. 
Ever watched a movie with special effects containing frogs, birds, bats, mosquitoes and other animals?

•	May 1st – Windmills & Cheapthrills in [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=66089 Dordrecht]. 
Get a view of the beautiful islands, windmills and other Dutch scenic things around Dordrecht. 

•	May 4th – Memorial day service at the Dam Square – [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=62867 Amsterdam]. 
The day that we all remember the World War II victims with a beautiful service at the Dam Square. 

•	May 5th – Liberation Day Music Festival – [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=57513 Zwolle] 
To celebrate our freedom and the end of World War II. Every provincial capital organizes one or several music events. CS Zwolle has a gathering for those interested. 

•	May 9th – Spring Forrest Hike 2010 – [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html?mid=60029 Oss]
Enjoy the nature with a nice, refreshing hike! 

'''One last tip:
'''

Wear orange! So get an orange t-shirt, paint your face orange, buy a weird wig.. be creative! It doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you do it. Orange is the keyword!