6.19 pm: Another shot taken from my bicycle. Students on the balcony of the notorious student corporation Minerva, an elite fraternity/sorority with strict rules and a strong hierarchy based on seniority.
The guys seen in this shot are very senior as they are allowed to grow beards and sit outside on the balcony. All of this happens in this building situated on Leiden's main street. The flag with orange banner is out because it's our Crown Prince's birthday today.
Work is very busy at the moment and will culminate tomorrow in an horrendously long day without any foreseeable breaks.
Fancy growing a beard being a privilege?! I don't know if these clubs still exist here - if they do they are not overt any more. Very interesting - makes me want to find out!
i thought it must be coming up to crown princes birthday - were there lots of street celebrations? I seem to remember some good fairs in DenHaag when i was there to celebrate. Cool shot on the move!!
@sparkle Queen's Day is the big celebration here! April 30th. Our Queen´s birthday is actually in January but because it is so cold then she celebrates it in spring (on her late mother's birthday). And yes, the parties in The Hague in the night before Queen's Day are legendary!
De baardmansen zijn lid van de introductiewekencommissie. Wat zou de kans zijn voor vrouwen om daar lid van te worden? Die baard krijgen ze nooit voor elkaar!
@araminta Thanks! I have to admit that I knew that there would be people outside on that balcony, meaning that I planned the shot and adjusted my camera settings before getting on my bike. But getting the camera out, turning it on and taking the shot was all done while riding :)
What a fascinating frat/sorority. I agree with Judith Greenwood about being able to grow beards! The privilege of sitting on the balcony sounds a bit more appealing, but to each his/her own ;)
Interesting, I have never heard of such strictness in a fraternety. I too am impressed by your riding and shooting skills. I should begin riding next week as it is my goal to ride to work one day a week May through September. I may stop and take a shot, but I doubt I will be shooting and riding.
O ja. Ik heb ook wel eens een rondleiding gehad bij Vindicat, daar was het ook zo erg met die regeltjes over wie waar mocht zitten (op de grond, op een kruk, op een stoel, op de bank...). Zo kinderachtig; maar ja, het levert ze wel goede banen op ;-)
Sterkte morgen!