Rotterdam, The Netherlands

 

 

 

 

Entering the Netherlands I felt like I was back in Ohio. The weather was cooler and seemed that a mist of rain was ever present as we passed along the fields I could see for miles as a flat farmland loomed ahead, much like our community area in Bluffton.  The thing that was different that reminded me I wasn't in Ohio was that the fields were surrounded by canals .  These canals were used as fence to control the cows and animals rather than barbed fence that was used back in my home state to keep animals off the highways. I was looking forward to meeting my friend Ernst. Although we hadn't met yet I still felt a special bond with him as a brother I missed so much.  The weather couldn't dampen my spirit as I already felt home.

Here I am in front of one of the old windmills with Ernst, his mother and sister, Nicky.  I had never met or spoke with his family before and when we arrived in Rotterdam we used the same method for contacting Ernst.  I spoke with his sister Nicky, her English was very good, and met them at the gas station as soon as they made their way across town.  We followed them back to their home where we chatted over coffee and looked at photos and became more comfortable with each other.  Their generosity was appreciated as we enjoyed dinner and relaxed.  
 The love Ernst has for his family was obvious to me as he catered to everybody there, making certain we were enjoying the relaxation of a quiet family night.  Brian and Ernst struck friendship immediately thru computer programs and things, Nicky and I were giggling as schoolgirls about affairs of the heart as she became a person I felt I could confide in.  

I woke early and quietly explored the garden outside and admired the collection of water balls that were on the shelves.  When the rest of the household woke Ernst asked what one thing I wanted to see the most...hmmm other than the obvious Shopping Mall I replied the old windmills.  We decided that with the weather being unreliable that we better get moving.  In Rotterdam they do not have stop signs or yield or any description of who is supposed to do what at a four way intersection.  I don't think I could get use to that, although we made it to the old windmills fine, it was a memorable trip.  The huge old windmills didn't let me down, I loved them.  we rode the boat that went the length of the canal.  There was also a path that you could walk along.  With the weather spitting rain on and off we stayed with boat so we could seek shelter if we needed.
We watched people and changes in weather as Nicky would share a story with me that made me laugh.  We were both armed with cameras but it was Nicky's mother that took this one,  Despite the bad weather we had a great time getting to know each other better as we plotted out our shopping trip that would follow.  Ernst stayed under cover most of the boat trip and Brian was enjoying this traditional background of Holland as much as I did.

Brian and I stayed pretty much shoulder to shoulder as the light rain insisted on falling.  Shore was looking better and when we stopped and got into the coffee shop we felt lucky as the heavens really opened up.  Seemed that the rain held off for us so our trip wouldn't be ruined.  We sat around the table enjoying our sweet coffee and buttery sugar cookie.  Looking at all the souvenirs I saw my pair of wooden shoes.  I loved all the postcards and pins.  I even picked up a windmill cookie mold that would be just right for buttery almond cookies in the fall.  The day already felt full and wasn't over yet!

Returning back to Ernst's home it was clear my stay here was all too short. Getting to know his family was the final highlight of my European vacation.  Dropping off their mother we continued to the mall and walked the stores in search of perfect souvenirs for my daughters.  After finding them we had lunch at a restaurant there in the mall, it was very filling and delicious.  Later we headed out towards Amsterdam's airport  as that is where Brian would leave from.  My heart was feeling heavy as real life had set in and the fairy tale was over. Only time could tell if we would all live happily ever after or even define what happy was to be for each of us in our lives.

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Visit My Vacations In:

Germany Denmark The Netherlands Australia

Visit My Travel Friends:

Jan from Denmark Jens from Denmark Ernst from Holland Brian from Australia

Thank-You for all Your Friendship and Warm Hospitality

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