After putting together yesterday's post of Dutch stamps, I realized I had a couple of unfinished draft posts from my trip to Amsterdam last year. So, for Monday Walks here is one we took in the quaint (but very touristy) village of Zaanse Schans. We gave the museum a miss (or should I say my travelling companion did...)
though, to be honest, by the time we had traipsed through the village and shopped and ate and gawked, we'd had enough for the day. Maybe next time we'll (or more likely, just me) tour the museum and then head over to the restaurant for our coffee and some very good food (one doesn't always expect very good food at touristy places).
It was very pleasant to just stroll through this village with no cars impeding your way. Lots of tourists, though there also seemed to be many locals. It is free, after all. 
I like the openness, but I'm not sure how I could ever get used to having thousands of people peering into my back garden (or my windows - I did try not to peer, but the temptation...)
Apart from the houses, there are also shops, a cheese factory, little museums where you can see such things as these artistic wooden shoes
and windmills where you can see the inner workings of the only windmill still making pigments for paint.
There are several windmills - not as many as were here in the 16thC and 17thC, but still exciting to see.
Thirty five years ago, I lived a five minute bike ride away from here, and I never tired of seeing these windmills. This was my first time back to Zaanse Schans since 1980.
I think the people who live there are used to people looking into their homes and gardens :)
ReplyDeleteHope you liked to be back, it must have changed a lot since 1980!
I loved seeing it all again. Certainly the museum wasn't there. I used to ride my bike through the area and don't remember it being very busy.
DeleteStill looks like a fun place to visit. LOVE those clogs with the fishnets.
ReplyDeleteThey are great, aren't they?!
DeleteIn spite of all the people, it is a very tranquil place.
I love the quaint buildings and the lush green surrounding everything. Looks like a great place to visit. I agree with you about not wanting people peering in my backyard though. It would creep me out a little.
ReplyDeleteOf course, anyone who could afford to live there, would know what they were in for. Perhaps it is a trade off for them that is worth the expense and trouble. And, you know your neighbours won't let their home fall to ruin and destroy the neighbourhood!
DeleteThe sights are just what I would hope to see on a trip to The Netherlands. Tom The Backroads Traveller
ReplyDeleteYes, it is quintessentially Dutch! More on this theme next week.
DeleteWe visited there a few years ago and loved it! The museum was actually very good.
ReplyDeleteAnabel's Travel Blog
Adventures of a retired librarian
The museum will be my excuse to return to the same place next year (it that trip actually happens. I hope so!) With so much to see, I prefer to spread my adventures out instead of repeating them.
DeleteDD and I quite enjoyed our visit to Zaanse Schans ten years ago. Does it still smell like chocolate??
ReplyDeleteNot on that day, but I was hoping!
DeleteThat was how I got my friends to visit me when I lived in Koog - by telling them that I lived near the Verkade factory - the smell was quite heavenly when the wind blew in the right direction!
Interesting post, I like especially the shoes and the mills :)
ReplyDeleteThe shoes were very interesting - hard to photograph though through the glass as there was a window on the other side of the hallway. And those stones and gears in the windmill were huge - and in such a cramped space!
Delete35 years is a long time! I bet lots has changed (but probably not this village :) ) It's very cute and I'd have to peer in the windows too. The windmills are lovely! Not sure that I'd want to live there, either. Thanks again for the link and for sharing a lovely walk.
ReplyDeleteLiving close by would be close enough for me.
DeleteAnd I can still hardly believe it was 35 years ago.