Holland back in the day

Today was a super cool day. We went to an open air museum, essentially is it Heritage Park Hollaand style. It was super cool, we got to see so many different old houses that people used to live in, farmhouses, bakeries, windmills, steam powered dairy factory, paper factory, laundry hut, blacksmith and a bunch of other things.

 

It is all in a super large area with paths that connect it all. All of the places that are there were donated by different places or people so that they could be restored and what not for the museum itself. Along the way there are many people that are dressed up authentically and who work there. They walk around doing jobs in these places and you can watch them and they are always willing to chat with you about what they are doing and why. 

We learned a number of different things along the way today. The colour blue they found out, keeps the flies away, so they would use it on their houses for that reason, not because they liked the colour but because it worked. The houses range depending on their status and what they did. More often then not the sleep in the walls. Almost literally. They also must have been short back then because they would sleep in these little cut out cupboards in the walls that hardly fits two pillows across, and it is a literal square so there really isn't much space at all. For privacy they had a curtain or cupboard doors that closed and made the bed disappear. A lot of the time as well they lived in very small quarters, and shared with their livestock, half and half or sometimes the livestock had more space then they did. We also saw a lady that was cutting pieces of oat and then boiling it, apparently they used to make stew this way. Wonder how that would taste.

Poffertjes are are like small round pancakes. They have a neat way of cooking these in a special pan. PLUS believe it or not they even made gluten free ones so I got to indulge in these delicious cakes smothered in butter and topped with icing sugar. A very pleasant surprise and great addition to the day. 

 

Continuing on we saw them making a boat, and beyond a blacksmith going through the motions of making things. Again all very unique and interesting things to see. I have a book that I read through going into detail about al these places which was great, especially as we were walking around I had all the information at my finger tips. But it is far too much to put into words. I guess you have a there'd by now that I like information, and history. My padre taught me the information part as we always stopped to read the information along the way, and for that I am very greatful for because it has definitely given me a greater appreciation for the things I do and see.

We walked through a dairy factory that was steam engine powered. That was neat. We got to see the steam engine at work. We also saw how they made butter, cheese, milk, and cream. Super neat.

 

Walking through all the many houses was cool as well. The rich people definitely had much more space, even just living space. Although the beds were still shorter then I imagined they should be, they had actual beds, with a separate room for the beds, a kitchen long hallways, and in some cases even studies or dining rooms. 

We saw a high chair that looks like a pretty solid choice for anyone, not to mention there are bars to stop kicking where the feet go. We also found a stork with a baby in clothe waiting to be delivered. They would hang bandanas from the door frames so that tall people would see them and dint run into them.

 

As we continued on we walked past the tram station and where they repaired them and touched them up if needed, a church, a brewery, and many more houses. Luke has really enjoyed the many bushes that are carved into shapes and animals that we found around all of Europe at varying places, finally got a picture of him with some. He also found an old vacuum that was wooden.

 

We also went into a windmill and went to the very top which was pretty neat to see as well. 

 

We saw them make paper, and we learned that they made it out of rags. Heated and squished and squeezed till if looks like oatmeal, and then placed in water and the guy picks it up on a block that is the same size as a piece of paper and then rolls it on ton a piece of linen for it to cool. Very cool to see! 

 

The place was so interesting to see. And learned a ton and walked a ton. From there we hopped into the car and drove an hour and a half to Groningen where we will stay for a couple nights. Lens grandparents grew up here so we will see where they lived as well. This evening we walked into the city just across the canal and we found an awesome little place to eat dinner called the ugly duck. They had ducks all over the restaurant including Donald and daisy and a bunch a normal duckies everywhere. And they had a gluten free menu, great to stumble on a place that just works. There is a music concert happening so there are tons and tons of people around the city centre. I guess this is a university city. There are trillions of bikes!! Especially outside this concert there where so many locked up in the bike parking!

 

Another great day that has come to a close. We have a sweet place that we are staying again as it is a loft house. I love lofts, I think they are awesome, I always used to want to have my room in the loft of a house when I was younger and I had the whole thing planned out. The stairs though, only seem to be getting steeper and steeper believe it or not. And I am not really sure how it is even possible as they are already incredibly steep. These ones take it to the next level though and there are many more of them, as well as they are shinny so they always look slippery. You need to wear shoes or bare feet when going on them or your fait could be deadly. 

Again we are feeling the local life as we are staying in a house and it is on a street lined with houses. A cute place to live and be. We stopped at the grocery store on the way home and picked up a few things for breakfast in the morning so we will be set and ready to go. This place also has a coffee maker which is great as we don't have to rush out and can enjoy a relaxing breakfast in before getting ready for the day to commence. 

The weather here has cooled down. Not sure if that is due to the fact we are further North now, or if that is because it as turning into the evening and it was just cooling down. But another beautiful day and hopefully the rest of the week wil keep that up. Well really the rest of the trip but the rest of this week would be nice at least. 

Off to sleep to get rest for another full fun filled day tomorrow with the he fam.

And so the adventure continues...