We took a tour bus to the countryside to an area known as Zaanse Schans which is a fully inhabited, open-air conservation area located just a few miles north of Amsterdam. Here you can get a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. There are authentic houses, a historic shipyard, a cheese and dairy farm, an old fashioned grocery store, and above all, many windmills.
It is a place often referred to as an open-air museum because of its extraordinarily well preserved architecture and traditions.
We wandered around drinking in the beauty and peace of Zaanse Schans for over an hour.
A litle girl hidden by grasses almost as tall as she is. Ariana loved the freedom. The melody of the wind making constant rush-rushing sounds as it blew through the waving grass was lovely.
The grasses don't hide Papa quite so well.
It was very interesting to see the group of people dressed-up in traditional Dutch clothing. Gordon remarked that they were dressed just as his own grandparents and great-grandparents would have been. He explained this to Ariana and she thought they looked cool, and again expressed her desire to own a pair of wooden shoes.
The black and white Friesland cows were charming. They must lead an idyllic life for a cow, free to roam the countryside with an abundance of fresh, green grass. No wonder they produce such delicious cheese and creamy milk.
Ariana was very excited to see a swan for the first time. We watched his graceful swimming and preening for a long time.
On a little wooden bridge, hundreds of years old, Ariana and I wave goodbye to the beauty around us as our bus awaits in the background.
We will always remember the sound of the rushing grasses and the abiding peace of Zaanse Schans.
No comments:
Post a Comment