spiderbraids

A teletext page promoting Winx on Nickelodeon. Where Americans were content with just closed captioning, the Europeans came up with a system that could transmit various kinds of information with the picture, such as a full-blown TV guide, and various news items. Kind of like a pre-internet... internet. The Netherlands have even continued their old analog-style teletext past their digital switchover, unlike the UK apparently.



And just for fun, here's Disney XD, a la teletext. Mobile fun, spiritual advice, TV guides, dating tips...



Our hotel.



Unique looking (apartment?) buildings.



Next to a bike parking lot, Leiden's tourism office, with a catchy slogan for the city.



Another bike parking lot.



And another windmill.



Setting up for the Netherlands' first match of the World Cup, on a big screen.



Modern meets traditional: A McDonald's next to a traditional pancake house.



Mmm... "pizza-style" pancake. Actually, Dutch pancakes are more like crepes, and can even be served savory (such as pizza-style, or with smoked salmon!)



Everyone's flocking to see the Dutch take on Denmark at the viewing screen.



Leiden's own shopping street. Not as crowded as Amsterdam, mind :-)



You can't really see it, but the Dutch are going wild after they've just scored a goal.



Guys and gals in orange shirts abound, as the Dutch have gone on to win, to start a run that would eventually end up with a loss to Spain in the final (who'd also never won the cup before either).



Hotel Mayflower, where we have our final dinner in Europe...



... and again with those "fun-size" soda bottles.



Football's finished, so here's a motorbike taking the big balloon away...



And a banner cheering for Holland at a bar.



Amusingly, the "early evening" regional news at 8pm would feature a remote from Leiden...



including a report from the big screen viewing area, clearly showing Hotel Mayflower (!)



Train station at a bit past 8pm. Remember, this is summer, so it's still bright out.



Another shot of a toilet, showing the unusual Dutch configuration with the outlet in the front most part of the toilet. Might look awkward when you're doing a number two...