COOKED TULIPS BULBS SERVED AT 'CRISIS' TOUR

De Telegraaf has a photograph of two female investors who, judging by the expressions on their faces, don't appear to be enjoying their cooked tulip bulbs very much. The unusual meal - tulip bulbs are no good as food, they were only ever eaten by desperately hungry people during the 'Hunger Winter' in the Netherlands in early 1945 - was served by a soup kitchen at the end of a guided tour which had the credit crisis as its theme.

The tour started off at the head of the Zeedijk in Amsterdam, where the world's first shares were issued in 1602. Next on the itinerary was the city loan office, which once had Rembrandt as a customer. At the premises of the brokers' guild, the guide explained how 18th century house prices dropped substantially after the United Kingdom took control of world trade.

Around the corner, there used to be a special cemetery for people who had committed suicide. The tour ended at the above-mentioned soup kitchen.Investors with savings in the failed Icesave internet bank received a free tulip bulb and did not have to pay for the tour or the meal. (Expatica)

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October 27, 2008