Day two in Den Haag, and three more presentations
Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 2:07PM Construction around and "above" hotel (don't ask) wakes me at 0700, but I've gotten a solid eight hours and so feel okay. The sinus infection is abating nicely.
Meet with my Foreign Ministry host for coffee in lobby, and then off to engage the Netherlands Government Strategy Board from 0930 to 1200. Bit of problem hooking Mac, but once local AV guys figure they cross-wired, it was okay. Brilliant cool board room on top of this towering (biggest building in the Hague), very modern building. I go about an hour, then two locals (big name political scientist who is number one commentator on Dutch TV on foreign affairs plus head of strategic planning for Ministry of Defense, who emphasized that the Minister had read PNM and had really taken to its vision) offer comments with questions. I answer their six questions and then take a slew more questions. All very nice and I'm in decent-to-good form so long as I don't let my mind wander.
Then to lunch at Japanese place with Ministry of Justice officials.
Then to butcher-block presentation (20 mins) to special discussion group of senior Justice and Internal Affairs ministries--a select group of ten. We discuss issues for about 40.
Then a presentation of about an hour to an open-call audience of mid-level officials from same two ministries, in a converted church, which was weird. About 20 minutes of Q&A. Then drinks, heavies, and more discussion for another 45.
Then I am cut loose for day and simply wander around the downtown for two hours, checking the sights and basically observing people. The Hague is an interesting place. About a quarter of the population are immigrants from all over the world.
People are so polite here. Beautiful night and everyone is just so pleased to be out and about. I can see why people like living here.
Ate at McD's (Big Mac meal and vanilla shake). All good, but price is 7.55 euros, which equates to $11.64. Place was doing brisk business, though.
Chill for the night at hotel. One more speech (to make five in all) tomorrow to the special think tank of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bummer is no Minister. I was hoping for the 3D trifecta here, because the Dutch are so keen on the concept and talk about it a lot.
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