The European Experience: Part 4

Three bikes, a harbor & the Seaside
Volendam

It had been two days of tricking rain, with temperatures dipping to a chilly 11 degrees Celsius. Holland, or at the very least Amsterdam, was proving to be quite the disappointment. It didn't help that after the grandeur of beautiful Paris, all we had seen of the 'City of Tolerance' were its infamous coffeeshops and bored prostitutes standing behind shop windows, waving angrily at tourists like us. After taking a half-hour bus ride to the outskirts of Amsterdam to the countryside, the drab weather only worsened.

The next day though, after lots of prayer and God's grace, the skies finally cleared up and we spent a glorious day exploring the better side of Holland, minus the magic mushrooms and pimps. We rented bikes from the Hotel and cycled down narrow dirt lanes, which curved around miles and miles of green pasture and tiny inlets of water. It was lovely, especially after we had spent the past two and a half weeks navigating our way through crowded cities (not to say it wasn't fun, but still, you get sick of the bustling crowds.)

Maybe it was the fact that as city kids, everything seemed fascinating about small towns. Even seeing a sheep, or a homely-looking windmill along the cycling path was exciting! Although the main town was crowded with tourists, it was still nice walking along the beach, licking milky ice creams.

I'd have to say the best part of our countryside sojourn though, was sitting at the edge of the ship dock and wearing our Ship Captain caps, and having fish&chips and mussels for lunch. It was a good and relaxing way to end the trip, with an afternoon spent frolicking around the countryside. This, over dreary Amsterdam and its erotic museums any day.