Since we arrived almost one week ago, pretty much it's been raining, or pouring, or looking like it's going to be raining or pouring. Not that we came here to work on our tans, but really. But today we awoke to sun and a temp at 10:30 am of 70 degrees F. So we reshuffled the docket for the day and set out to be full-fledged tourists.
In the canal cities the Netherlands, the iconic tourist activity is the canal boat ride. So away we floated.
Among the other stunningly ancient monuments we gaped at was the Oude Kerk- and when the Dutch use the word "old", sit up and pay attention. The church that stands on the site today (where even earlier churches had stood) dates to the 11th century, and has a tower that was leaning even as it was still being built.
The boat tour led to the walking tour (the one were gawking tourists stand in the middle of bike lanes and are nearly mowed down by gearless, fender bikes). More churches on this tour- now the Nieuwe Kerk which would hardly be worth looking at since it's only 14th century, but it happens to be the burial ground of the Dutch royal family.
As Kyle commented, not sure how we will get this in the overhead bin during the flight home, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
But tourist hours were counting down and we headed back home so that I could get some work done in my office.
Just wonderful! I didn't know what you were doing for research there - fascinating that the Dutch don't concern themselves with flood preparations other than what the government does. Although that attitude isn't much different here. Loving the blog! Love to you and the boys too!
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