Let's say your explorer discovers, what next?

In my sojourn through Spanish colonialism in the New World, we are here: Spain (Isabella of Castile) fronted the money, sent an explorer out to find shit, and shit has been found. Hooray! Now, even though it wasn't the shit Spain had EXPECTED/HOPED to find, it still got found by Spain's guy, exploring on Spain's dime, and it is, therefore, now Spain's shit, even the Pope said so. (All of this is covered in previous posts, I'm just catching up anybody who was late to the party.)

But... now Spain has to find out what the New Colonial Possession has to offer in the way of loot and if it DOES have any loot, Spain needs to get that loot safely back home to enrich the coffers.

( What to do, what to do? )

Fan of Vermeer?

If you are a fan of Vermeer, as I am, you might be interested in the Rijksmuseum's collaborative effort with Mauritshuis in The Hague to display (in person and ALSO virtually if you can't get to Amsterdam to see it in person) a very respectable percentage of all existing Vermeers in one place. I like Vermeer enough that in 2017, I drove through a snowstorm with my mother in order to see Vermeers when they were in DC... so I know what I'll be doing this weekend, in front of the fire, with a margarita in hand. It's The Best Way to Enjoy Vermeer if you can't be there in person.

The Rijksmuseum (which is a great place to visit, I have been there, said museum also has the VERY LARGE, seriously, the thing is huge, Rembrandt painting The Night Watch) has helpfully hired Stephen Fry to narrate in English if that might encourage you further to enjoy this virtual Vermeer viewing.