Utrecht - with purpose

Today Annemarie, Bram and I went to the Dick Bruna Huis (an extension of the Centraal Museum in Utrecht). We went solely to visit the Dick Bruna Huis (pronounced house, but with that special Dutch way of pronouncing the "ou" sound that I can never replicate). Dick Bruna is the illustrator behind Holland's most endearing character: nijntje (ninetchya - I never was hooked on phonics). During my last visit, the museum was under construction still and I was cruelly taunted by the adorable nijntje flags.

For the non-Dutch speakers: nijntje is the kid word for bunny - konijn (ko-nine, yes, again with the whole Dutch pronunciation trickiness). The -je is a diminuative; so, while her unfortunate English name is Miffy, her Dutch name is what she is - little bunny.

The exhibition (permanent) was worth the trip and the entrance fee. Though, Bram's enjoyment of the train ride would have been enough to make the trip worth taking. Most of the 25 minute-trip, he stood on my lap with both hands on the window. Occasional squeals of delight. At one point he took it upon himself to entertain us. He sat down in my lap and started the smile-enhanced shaking of his head (always certain to elicit a smile and mimicking motions from the adult at whom this is aimed). His shaking was so vigorous that the drool snaking down his chin set flight. This brought forth gales of laughter from A. and I. The new reaction only encouraged him.

The exhibition (permanent) was worth the trip and the entrance fee. Tickets are purchased at the Centraal Museum lobby, whose entrance is tucked into a corner between the museum and a church (a lovely, quite old, brick thing of which I cannot remember the name). Buy the tickets, exit, cross the street, go right a bit on the bumpy brick sidewalk, and voilá! The Dick Bruna Huis. A couple of steps in and you're there, looking into the gift shop through a picture glass window filled with nijntje. I almost had to drag Annemarie into the museum. C'mon, we'll come back. C'mon.

The guard/ticket checker was watching us, trying not to smile. He waved us through with a smile for Bram. The first thing to see is a golden nijntje sparkling in her spotlights. Past the golden bunny is a room with books lining the wall. I've no idea how many nijntje and friends books Bruna has created, but in the room they seem myriad. Take a left through a room giving the history of Bruna and into an interactive room designed for kids, but I enjoyed it as much as any kid there (well, more than Bram and the 6 month that was there with his mom and I don't think he cared much if he was in the stroller in the room or on the street or in a darkened hallway). Climb the stairs or take the lift to see a collection of drawings and graphic art posters. Bruna's early career was in commerical art - book covers for the family publishing company.

In case you were concerned, I did restrain myself in the gift shop. Three items were even purchased for others. I'm so good. Really - it was difficult for there are so many wonderful things - handbags, t-shirts, bathmats, cups, mugs, toys, stickers, pencils, keychains, wrapping paper, bike bells, and on and on. So many things to buy.

I did remember that I have to pack tomorrow and I have spent quite enough money, thank you. Will that two-inch extension on the suitcase be enough? Of course, it will be enough. Pshah. What, me worry that I´ve purchased too much when traveling? I look forward to the packing as a way to revisit my trip.