Prinsjesdag / I didn't know I could ride a bike in heels

September 15, 2009 23:14

I spent the entire day at the Hague today.  It was Prinsjesdag, or "Prince's Day".  It happens only once a year, on the second Tuesday in September.  It is when the Queen makes an appearance, with the Prince and Princess, riding through the streets in a gold carriage, for the purpose of arriving at the Ridderzaal, or "Hall of Knights".  It is here that the Queen addresses the members of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives, from her throne, to discuss the policy plans for the coming year.  Crowds gather along the route to catch a glimpse of the golden carriage.  I was there too, behind crowd of people, children on their shoulders, and cameras high in the air.


Here is a photo of one of the carriages proceeding the Golden Carriage.



Here is a picture of the Prince in the Golden Carriage.  I think he remembers me from our meeting on Saturday, and is waiving at me!!!

While it was wonderful to observe the festivities, the highlight of the day was meeting with prosecutors at the The Office of the Prosecutors General, including the Chief Prosecutor General Harm Brouwer.   If Robert Johnson, our DA in the Bronx, had a boss, it would be the counterpart to Mr. Brouwer.  Actually, if all of the DA's in the country were supervised by one DA, THIS would be the counterpart to Mr. Brouwer.  He must be one of the busiest, and thus most hard-working men in the country of The Netherlands.  He was very kind to take some time out of his day to meet with me, hear about life as a prosecutor in the Bronx, and share with me some education on the structure of his office.   To be totally honest, everyone told me, before I met the Prince and Princess: "Don't be nervous.  Just be yourself."  If there was anyone I was a little nervous meeting, it was Mr. Brouwer.  But he was very kind, and I definitely did: Just be myself.


Here is a nice photo of me with Mr. Brouwer.

I learned so much meeting with prosecutors today.  There was barely enough time for all of my questions.   Just a few of the things that I learned are as follows (all of which don't exist, or are different in New York!!): 1. The Office in the Hague makes policy for the rest of the country; 2. Academics are involved in evaluating cases and in policy-making  (I want that job!); 3. The Mayor issues the restraining order in a domestic violence case, not a judge, and only when she or he thinks it is appropriate.   The offender is also provided with an alternative living space.  Only about 25 were issued so far this year!!  In the Bronx the number would be too high to count.  4. Prosecutors can appeal a "not guilty" verdict after a trial - remember all trials are decided by a judge / judges, not a jury.  5. It is up to the prosecutor to make sure the defendant comes to court - he or she is served with a subpoena for his  / her own court appearance.

Finally, on a lighter note: I LEARNED THAT I CAN RIDE A BIKE IN HEELS!!  It was my first city bike ride ever, very different from riding a bike in the suburbs in the midwest, where I am from.


First I was given a rain coat as it was raining on and off throughout the day.  It looked just like the robes that Prosecutors and defense attorneys wear in court - ya, that's right, the lawyers wear robes, not just the judge!




Esther - she deals with communications for The Hague office - who guided me through Prinsjensdag.

The Job Swap is an initiative of the Henry Hudson 400 Foundation and BKB, in cooperation with the NY400. The Wildcard contest is organized together with newspapers Het Parool (Amsterdam) and AM New York (New York).