Pre-Tour Day 2-3: Exploring HaarlemLocal Culture and History: We spent the morning browsing the local market which was set up in the central square and enjoyed tasting the local foods (fruits, breads, nuts, and of course, fries with mayo). It was raining a little, so a local shop owner suggested we visit the Ten Boom Museum. It was a great suggestion and a highlight of our stay in Haarlem. We learned how she rescued 800 Jews during the Holocaust. Paul was asked to help demonstrate how the Jews were hidden behind a fake wall in the home. It was tragic and inspiring at the same time.
Exploring: We put on many miles walking the streets of Haarlem. It really helped get us past the feeling of jet lag and introduced us to Haarlem, its people and its charm. We marveled at the bikes that were seemingly everywhere and how fit and happy everyone seemed to be. We also made our way to the local canal where we saw our first windmill and enjoyed the local food and drink. We continued our walking tour the next day and hiked across town to see more neighborhood life. We were not disappointed as we discovered a school yard with kids playing a type of basketball we'd never seen before and a more historic windmill, complete with cows and pasture. We really loved this city! |
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