zaterdag 26 mei 2012

a sense of Scheveningen     
exploring a new place   

Last week my dad and i visited Scheveningen village to look at an apartment. I know Scheveningen beach, but have never been to the village center. In the afternoon we walked through the main shopping street, Keizerstraat, and i took some shots, trying to capture the atmosphere.


The Keizerstraat is one of the oldest shopping streets in the Netherlands, and stretches from the village center right up to the beach. In the afternoon the sunlight splits the street down the middle into light and shadowed halves.


Due to Scheveningen's international appeal, the flags of many foreign countries are hanging above the street, which has been closed off to motorized vehicles. Brightly colored clothes are put out in front of the shops to attract buyers. The football season has started and many shops sell clothing and gadgets in our national orange color.


Policemen and city guards patrol the street in a casual and friendly way


Most of the merchandise is on display in front of the shops, saturated colors everywhere you look....


People have put chairs and benches in front of their houses to sit and chat, read or study


You can see interesting reflections of street life in all the shop windows


Of course the street is filled with bicycles, most of them carrying a plastic crate or basket in front

Many people use their bikes to make personal statements.....


People who are born in Scheveningen tend to stay there their whole life, and Scheveningen cherishes its senior inhabitants. You can see many elderly people moving about in electric scooters.


Contrary to what's written on the scooter, people are taking all the time in the world to shop, have a chat, or sit in the sun watching the constant flow of pedestrians.



Not all vehicles in Scheveningen are slow...there are loads of scooters and motorbikes standing along the Keizerstraat, and there are some shops that sell or repair them. 


The bright orange one caught my eye when i was siting down on a terrace to have a drink, especially because of its royal color!


Everywhere you can see people sitting down on a bench, a chair or a terrace, having a drink or a snack

Crossing a side street under the watchful eyes of two fishermen's wives in traditional outfits.


3 opmerkingen:

  1. Wow, what a bright and busy place! You really captured the sense of place Helga in these images. I want to visit and photograph all of those bicycles!

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  2. I agree with Kat - you have certainly captured the sense of this place - such a busy and colorful area that is so inviting. Love the bikes and the orange scooter.

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  3. So fascinating! You got some great shots -- both large and small scale. It really does convey a sense of place. That last shot is amazing.

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