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.

best shot monday   

visions of  tenderness, courage and hope

today's post at shutter sisters is about spring's spark, how we get inspired by savoring everything that grows and blossoms in springtime. 

these four shots, taken last week, all reflect some of that wonderful spark

the energy of spring

savoring the soft nurturing sunlight

Spring is here. I can see and feel it everywhere. Things have started growing and the grey is slowly disappearing. 

There is a soft, warm light spreading over the landscape, infusing everything and everyone with new energy.

Today shutter sister Paige Baicer posted about it.