Completing the zigzag...

To finish our spring break adventure, we returned to the Netherlands. In Amsterdam we visited the Anne Frank House, dodged a few more bicycles, and walked through the Red Light District at dusk. We also explored the canal system a little more thoroughly, this time wandering by the series of houseboats that congregate in some of the quieter sections. After two weeks, we had optimistically hoped that the infamous tulip season would grace us with a sneak peek of its splendor. Unfortunately, the cold spell that permeated our trip, also kept the blooms at bay. Though the tulips were elusive, we thankfully saw brilliant fields of daffodils and hyacinth. One of Kyle's major motivations was to see windmills. This was fulfilled on many levels, throughout our trip. Our last day in Holland, however, provided us with some impressive views of these fascinating wooden structures from the past. A shared goal of ours had been to eat some delicious cheese. To accomplish this task, we ventured to a festive (though touristy) cheese market north of Amsterdam. While there, we watched the reenactment of the traditional cheese weighing, carrying, and selling process. It was really quite delightful, and the cheese samples were unbelievable! In the early evening, we met up with our friend Rina, who drove us through the farmlands, along the dikes, and finally to her home. It was a fabulous way to end our trip, sharing a delicious meal and warm conversation. What started as just a trip to Copenhagen, turned into a great whirlwind of culture and vibrancy. Though exhausted at the end, we both felt fully satisfied and inspired by the richness of it all. Now we are pondering the next grand adventure. Hmmmm!

A day in Belgium...

As the trip progressed, we found ourselves feeling more and more drawn to the idea of a "taste" of Belgium. Visions of waffles, chocolate, and brew enticed us beyond our ability to resist. Thus, we headed from Denmark to Brugge, Belgium on yet another overnight train. Arriving in the early morning, we walked along the quiet streets to our hostel. After checking in, we headed out on our first mission: finding an authentic Belgian waffle. Luckily, it didn't take us long to complete this task, as we serendipitously happened upon a farmer's market. For years I have dreamed of eating waffles in Belgium. Fulfilling the dream was extremely rewarding and fun! Next we did a bit of a walking tour of the town, stopping to view Michelangelo's Madonna and a few architectural gems. From there, we toured a brewery, visited a chocolate museum, and rode on a boat through the canals. We ended our day at a cozy pub, where we sampled some flavorful brewski along with an assortment of cheese cubes. Kyle and I both loved our time in Belgium, and we look forward to another visit there someday.

Western Denmark...

After many wonderful days in Copenhagen, we ventured westward across Denmark. Our next destination was Haderslev, the home of another special friend of ours, Mette. She gave us a wonderful tour of her city, and she opened our eyes (and bellies) to even more culinary delights. While traveling, Kyle and I tend to abandon our relatively meat-free existence, in the spirit of cultural opportunities. That said, Kyle and I bravely consumed open-faced sandwiches with ground liver, bacon, and fish roe. Surprisingly the flavors were quite good. We also sampled more pastries, viewed old timber-framed homes, and witnessed our first game of European handball. As Mette lives out in the country, we were also treated to some leisurely strolls in the fresh air and along a peaceful beach. The rhythm of life in small-city Denmark was indeed quite magical. Though our stay there was rather brief, it felt very rich and refreshing. Tak!

Kobenhavn Experience...

From Berlin we ventured up to Kobenhavn, on a train/ferry voyage. A highlight of this leg was the fact that the train actually boarded a ferry, a first time experience for both Kyle and I. The efficiency of European public transportation never ceases to amaze me. While in Copenhagen, we spent a lot of time with our Californian friends Mel and Adam, who are about half-way through their year abroad adventure. Kobenhavn and the surrounding area offered us many options for exploration. We visited a nearby castle, toured a brewery, climbed a few towers, and wandered through endless parks. In addition, we viewed the infamous Little Mermaid statue and tasted some incredibly delicious pastries. Wouldn't it be lovely if the afternoon coffee and gourmet pastry tradition was a more integral part of United States culture?

Next stop...Berlin...

An overnight train carried us from Amsterdam to Berlin. Though we were greatly lacking in the sleep department, our enchantment of Berlin began directly upon our arrival. For years I have heard many varying opinions about Berlin. What we found, was far more impressive than what I had expected. Most of our time was spent wandering around the streets, admiring the diverse architecture, and searching for remnants of the past. We also sought out cultural experiences, as Kyle and I both have German heritage. One culinary indulgence that we maxed out on was the infamous curry wurst, smothered in ketchup. The ratio of condiments to actual food substances appeared to be quite even, though some dishes that I saw clearly had more toppings. All in all we were very pleased with our experience in Berlin, and left feeling much more knowledgeable about German history and culture. Ja!

Easter in Amsterdam...

Our northern European spring break adventure started on a cold, snowy Easter Sunday. Though we had expected cold weather, the white flakes and bitting winds were surprising. We spent the afternoon wandering around the canals, visiting the Van Gogh museum, and even taking in a Protestant church service (all in Dutch) at the large cathedral pictured here. One of the most impressive things about Amsterdam, aside from the narrow buildings squished together, was the bicycle transportation system. There were bikers everywhere, and we witnessed many near collisions. It was insane!