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A Small Glimpse of the Netherlands

The Netherlands:  a tiny country, very flat, some parts below sea level, water, boats, clouds, open markets, fries and croquettes, bikes, flowers, old dike houses and modern structures...

This past fall I spent a few weeks there.  It's where I was born and raised but I didn't think much of it when I was growing up. I see it through different eyes now! I travelled the same routes travelled long ago by bike, boat or hike.  All very Dutch!

Here's a small glimpse.

Threatening clouds and rain showers don't get in the way of a friendly chat!

Threatening clouds and rain showers don't get in the way of a friendly chat!

Rainy day during the weekly market in Oud-Beijerland.

Rainy day during the weekly market in Oud-Beijerland.

Ultra new market hall in Rotterdam.  The ceiling consists of 4000 painted panels, printed on metal sheets in the United States.

Ultra new market hall in Rotterdam.  The ceiling consists of 4000 painted panels, printed on metal sheets in the United States.

Sky-scrapers in Rotterdam, a city that was almost completely destructed in the second world war.  

Sky-scrapers in Rotterdam, a city that was almost completely destructed in the second world war.  

Dike houses ("dijkhuisjes") in Oud-Beijerland.

Dike houses ("dijkhuisjes") in Oud-Beijerland.

Very old harbor in Puttershoek. Not visible:  an old cafe overlooking the river.

Very old harbor in Puttershoek. Not visible:  an old cafe overlooking the river.

"Platbodem"

"Platbodem"

Biker crossing a bridge called the Swan by locals in Rotterdam.

Biker crossing a bridge called the Swan by locals in Rotterdam.

Bicyclist in Rotterdam.

Bicyclist in Rotterdam.

Typical polder dike in Strijen.

Typical polder dike in Strijen.

Colorful fields in Heinenoord.

Colorful fields in Heinenoord.

Fall foliage in a garden center in Numansdorp.

Fall foliage in a garden center in Numansdorp.

Sunset from my childhood home.

Sunset from my childhood home.

There's no logical reason to include the following image in a blog about the scenery in the Netherlands.  Only the Dutch would understand!  It's just that one cannot go anywhere in this country without seeing, smelling and/or eating "friet en een kroketje"!  

Fries and a croquette.  Missing:  mustard and mayonaise.

Fries and a croquette.  Missing:  mustard and mayonaise.