A sem ti povedal (Did I ever tell you)

Chapter 8: Dutch Culture

The next pre-party, Eurovision in Concert, in Amsterdam was almost a week away at this point. But Bojan, Kris, Nace, Jure and Jan are tired of traveling back and forth between their homes and the pre-party destinations. They decide to go to Amsterdam directly and have a little vacation time before all the interviews start up again.
They stand outside of the apartment their management had rented for them. It was a cosy space, not very big, but just big enough. Gathered in the cosy kitchen the boys settle around the dining table. Nace already made a pot of coffee for them to share. They were talking about how they should spend their free days in Amsterdam. Kris takes a thoughtful sip of his coffee, contemplating all the suggestions made by his friends. ‘Hey guys, I was thinking… What if we visit the Rijksmuseum? It’s one of the most renowned museums in Amsterdam, known for it’s incredible collection of Dutch art and historical artifact. And to be honest I really want to see that.’

Bojan’s eyes light up with curiosity ‘Oh that sounds interesting. What kind of art do they have there?’ He asks. Kris smiles ‘Well, they have works by famous Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. It's a chance for us to immerse ourselves in the rich cultural heritage of the Netherlands and appreciate the artistic brilliance that has shaped this country.’

Jure nods in agreement. ‘I think it’s a great idea, we could also request a guided tour to get a better understanding of the artworks. Nace and Jan are also on board with this plan. Kris looks at his phone to see what the best route to the museum is. It was a 20 minute walk away from their apartment, or 10 minutes with a tram. There should be a tram stop about 2 minutes from their temporary home.

After a short ride in the tram they reach their destination, the doors slide open and the boys step out and into the bustling streets of Amsterdam. They follow the directions Kris’ phone provided and soon they found themselves standing in front of the grand façade of the Rijksmuseum.

They enter the museum, as Kris, Bojan, Nace, Jan, and Jure step through the entrance of the Rijksmuseum, they are immediately struck by the striking contrast between the old building and the modern hall that lies beyond. The fusion of traditional and contemporary architecture leaves them in awe, igniting their curiosity and anticipation for what lies ahead. Bojan and Kris approach the information desk to inquire about guided tours. The friendly staff member behind the desk checks for availability. To Bojan and Kris’ delight she informs them that there is a guide currently free and that she can accompany their group on their artistic journey.

Kris and Bojan return to the rest of the band, sharing with them the news of the guided tour. They wait in the hall, anticipation fills the air. Their gazes wander around, taking in the grandeur of the building. Suddenly a young woman catches their attention as she approaches them with an enthusiastic smile. Her hair in a short bob, the front pieces tucked behind her ears, and stylish yet professional attire exude confidence and charm. ‘Welcome to the Rijksmuseum,’ she greets them, her voice filled with warmth and excitement. ‘I’m Elin, your guide for the day.’

Bojan's charming nature prompts him to step forward and introduce himself and his friends. "I'm Bojan, and these are Kris, Jure, Nace, and Jan. We're thrilled to have you as our guide, Elin."

Elin’s energy is contagious, and she quickly establishes a connection with the group. She asks them about their interests, Bojan shares that they are in Amsterdam for the Eurovision pre-party, but not that they are actually the Slovenian representatives. After a little friendly banter, getting to know each other Elin switches back to professional and asks the boys what they want to see during their visit. However, the boys admit their lack of knowledge and express their openness to Elin’s guidance.
‘Well, in that case, let's start our tour in the Gallery of Honours,’ Elin suggests, leading the way with an air of confidence. The group follows closely, their curiosity growing with each step. They walk up the stairs, marvelling at the architectural beauty of the museum.