Kindness of strangers

July 6, 2017 - Netherlands - During my journey pedaling through the Netherlands it's amazing how many people I meet. 

Alex ran a small camp site just outside Delft. We talked a bit about Alzheimer's and the tour and he let me camp that night for free. 

Very Gothic church in Gouda 

Stained glass windows from St. John's Church in Delft were removed prior to WWII and put away for safe keeping. 

Giedo and Juana helped point me in the right direction coming out of Gouda, then we started talking food. "You have to give the raw herring a chance," said Giedo. "At least try it twice."  Juana agreed, twice was the secret to liking it and getting past the raw and slimy first experience.

Marella Mulder from camping De Mulderije in Hekendorp.

One of the best camping spots so far; a fifth-generation farm. It's also odd when someone comes around the corner and calls you by name. Marella brought a mean extension cord to power up my electronics. She also supported the tour by waiving he camping fee.  So kind. 

Adrian was the fourth generation owner of the farm. 

A beautiful roadside cherry stand. 

Many of the street in the city center are all made of brick pavers and, NO, I haven't fallen yet. 

Gorgeous market with fresh flowers in Oudewater 

VIDEO | Finding Wisconsin in the Netherlands, Part II

July 4, 2017 – Gouda, Netherlands - Hokey and loving it. Gouda is a community in the Netherlands known for its clay pipes, treacle waffles and of course it's cheese.  Upon my entrance to the city I find this cheeky cow made of Legos. Reminds me of home. 

Toured the historic Museum Gouda. The location used to be a shelter for the homeless, begging monks and escaped serfs. They were allowed to spend the night.  

Also at the museum was a remake of the hospital pharmacy. If a pharmacist wanted to display his status to his clients he put crocodiles and other exotic animals like salamanders and snakes on show. Snakes were, by the way, also used as a cookie ingredient; viper cookies kept you young.

Agypy  was the medicine made of finely pounded mummies -  believed to give you eternal life.

 Felis was made of dried cats good against rheumatism as cats are flexible.

The famous cheese shop in Gouda (photo, above) where they even made blue lavender cheese (see video, below).

Finding Wisconsin in the Netherlands, Part I

July 4, 2017 - Gouda, Netherlands - you just don't know what you'll find that reminds you of home as you traipse across the country.

Bumped into this Harley dealership while leaving Zevenhuizen. And then I happened upon another bike shop in a little town of Moordrecht. 

Lene, 59, started the shop as a bicycle business and Shell gas station. 

About five years ago he started to get ill because he was working 13-hour days, so he cut back to just bikes. The electric bicycles are big business in Holland. 

"They're called the Transporter," said Lene.  "People love them but after about five years the battery goes bad and then it's about €400 to fix.  People don't like to hear that news."

He said the new engines were too quick to market.  

After 30 years in business Lene hopes to retire in just 3 more.  "So I can do what you're doing," he said. 

I happened to like the variety in Lene's store refrigerator.

Making my way into Gouda.