The excitement of our day in Volendam to tour a wooden-shoe making workshop began when Ariana awakened that morning. She had lost a front tooth the night before and had left a note for the Dutch tooth fairy. She was very pleased to find a reply and some coins under her pillow!
Ariana was very eager as we set off. On the top of her to-do list was the desire to purchase a pair of wooden shoes for herself. In fact, she had wanted to buy the very first pair she had seen at the airport after our arrival. We had to convince her that a tour of an authentic wooden shoe factory was on our agenda, and it would be much better to wait.
A very friendly man busy crafting shoes at the factory. It was an interesting process to watch.
Rows of wooden shoes were everywhere ... even hanging from the ceiling!
Wooden shoes of every colour and design, from traditional to whimsical. The huge selection made choice very difficult.
After trying on several different kinds, Ariana finally selected to be 'pretty in pink'! She was very proud as she carried them to the counter and paid for them herself out of her own money. At last, the owner of a pair of wooden shoes!
Afterwards we wandered around outside the factory, taking turns standing in the big wooden shoes.
Firstly, Ariana.
Then it's Papa's turn.
And then, Nana!
I bought myself a bouquet of wooden tulips at the gift shop. They presently reside in a cut glass vase on my coffee table.
We visit a small museum there. Ariana sits in front of a traditional child's bed dating back to the seventeenth century.
Before we leave Ariana enjoys sitting in the giant wooden shoe. Despite her urgings, Papa and I decide it would not be a good thing if we did the same.
Back in the bus, Ariana can't stop talking about her wooden shoes!
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