Tuesday, August 13

Tuesday is market day in Baarn, our closest neighboring town. The weather was iffy, meaning very changeable - blue skies one moment and rain the next and then back to blue skies and big puffy clouds. We decide to do what the Dutch do and ignore the weather. We walk, yes Bill and Linda do walk. Last year we walked to de Generaal restaurant with Lynda and Frank Adamson and it rained. I think it always rains some when we go to Baarn. Its about 3 miles down a pleasant lane past some interesting houses, some with thatch roofs.

The market is in the town square and they have the usual: meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, clothes, and ready to eat food. We browse and then sit outside under a substantial umbrella at the same restaurant (De Kerkbrink) we ate at last year. It seems to have the most selections on its menu and the most patrons. I have a Westmalle Douple (dark beer) and weinerschnitzel and Linda has sparkling water and salmon. All of that was very good.

As we're waiting for our food we discuss why it feels so different here in the Netherlands than at home. It seems that the people do all the normal things that people do with their lives but maybe in a more relaxed way. Most of the Dutch seem to be happy and content and not racing around to get something better. It makes for a calming atmosphere. Of course, we're just visiting and even though we stay a month each year, we surely are not seeing everything. But, it still makes for a very enjoyable time.

While we are sitting there, more people arrive with cigarettes and crowd us. We take a chance and move to a table with no cover. That works until right about the time we finish our meal. A big black cloud has been working its way toward us, and then decides to dump. We pick up our plates and move inside. We're sure the rain will not last long, but it seems like a good time to have an espresso. When you order an espresso here you never know exactly what you will get. Oh, the coffee is usually different from place to place but always good. But, they give you extras - a cookie, or a small piece of chocolate or even a partial shot of liquor with some slomgrum (sp?) (whipping cream) on it. Today, we received the shot but it was larger than usual. How nice. Puts a special touch on the espresso. 

The rain stops and we start walking toward the train station. First, another pass through the market as they are closing up and Linda finds a nice blouse with a big butterfly on it. Have to have it. We walk through the Baarn park and come upon a large cage with peacocks, chickens, roosters, parrakettes, and little yellow birds - all yakking, especially the rooster. Quite a crew.

We walk up to the station, our train is waiting for us, and 5 minutes later we get off 4 blocks from the house. Linda walks downtown to buy some food for dinner and we eat in. When Linda goes off to buy food, she visits the butcher, (today it was ready made hamburger patties), the bakery for a croissant (not every time), and Lidl for veggies. When Dan was here he was trying to buy some milk for Sue's coffee. He carefully examined the offerings. There was 3%, 2%, 1% and then one with no percent. He decided that meant whole milk. Well, not so. Back home we found it to be buttermilk. Another learning experience. So, today, Linda asked people what milk was used for coffee. It turns out that there is milk for cooking, milk for whipping, and milk for coffee (koffiemelk). They showed her where the later was - on the shelf, and now we have milk for Janie and Dan's coffee.