Vel Plezier in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands some shops offer secret treasures, „dag cards“. You never know where you can get them, let alone when. But as soon as you have caught one you are free to take trains through the whole country on one day at the weekend, from midnight to 12 pm.

So, I somehow managed to get one and took an early train to Haarlem. Since I still needed food for the day I was happy to find a market there. Although I didn’t know most of the food they sold (or what do you think is “Poffertjes”?!), I managed to buy tasty-looking food, had a quick look at the centre of the town, and took the next train to Den Haag.

Stuck in my thoughts I suddenly saw colourful tulip fields like one big rag rug. I was stunned and decided to get off the train to walk to the fields. I enjoyed the peace and silence while having a picnic. Soon more and more people, who turned out to be tulip-field-tourists came and took photos (actually performed real photo shoots). Since the peace was over I now found pleasure in watching the (more or less) talented models dancing in the tulips fields.

Having finished my lunch break I took the next train to Gouda. I was fascinated by the small town pretty much only because Gouda is my favourite cheese, so the town has to be amazing too, right? So small I have soon seen the city hall and small centre and, again, made my way back to the railway station.
If you ever come to a train station in the Netherlands and decide to go to the restroom there (which in general can be helpful since the “Sprinter”-trains do not have restrooms)be warned that after some time the toilets start to clean themselves. Without warning, water comes out of literally everywhere around the toilet and sprinkles the whole room. Now wet, I finally made it to the train to Rotterdam, my last stop for today.

After a comfortable ride I treated myself with Poffertjes (which turned out to be small pancakes served with sugar and butter). I had a look at the impressive market hall and the cubus-houses. The big Erasmus-bridge almost made me forget that I was in the Netherlands. Fascinated by the water, boats and bridges there, I then had to sprint to the train station and got on the train back to Amsterdam. Surrounded by drunk (and maybe stoned) people I still managed to fall asleep and arrive in Amsterdam at exactly 12pm.

Netherlands houses, bikes, tulips and atmosphere were amazing. If I could have just stayed there...

Dank je wel, Netherlands.