Ever since Kim and I found out (via google maps) that the city of Gouda is only twenty kilometers from our home in Rotterdam, we've been waiting for the right to day to go there.
Our initially planned date was rainy. Then Kim's bike was stolen. But at last the right day arrived!
(Or at least I thought so)
So we looked at maps for a long time to plan and memorize the easiest route. It looked fairly straightforward, so we were fairly confident. Well, about six wrong turns, and just as many times asking directions we arrived without too much trouble. Gouda was just as good as we'd hoped. It's so picturesque and beautiful and antique-looking. There were beautiful rows of houses lining long canals filled with boats and crossed by majestic stone bridges. And we soon discovered a little market! But the top thing we were looking for was stroop waffles freshly made.
Eventually we found them!!!
This is me blissfully enjoying my very first fresh-made stroop waffle! And super-sized too! I seriously wonder how difficult it would be to make them. I think I shall have to give it a try when I get back to Canada because they are just so delicious. Store-bought in a package is also good, but nothing beats fresh off the griddle.
Here is one of the boats in the canal. (I guess you could have figured that out on your own without me saying the obvious)
And the fresh stroop waffle store!!!
Of course we couldn't go to Gouda without buy some Goudse kaas (Gouda cheese).
And it comes in the cutest little wheels in all different flavours. There was even a store that sold red and green mustard cheese!
While we were walking in the market we heard some nice music. Curious, we sought the source of the sound and found this organ wagon.
But we had a long bike ride back, so after only an hour and a half we decided to head back. On this picture beside the Ijssel River, I am smiling and very optimistic. But... (cue the scary music) little did I realize that there was an extrememly rough ride ahead.
The wind is generally blowing in the Netherlands, but today it was exceptionally strong. And the most straightforward way home was along the river. The way TO Gouda was great, because the wind was at our backs, but the way home was deadly. Especially for non-athletic me. After two hours of crawling along at a snail's pace, and pedalling as hard as if it was a very steep hill I was beginning to wonder if I could make it all the way back home.
Then, we discovered that we were rather lost. Grrr! Not again! We ended up illegally crossing a half-constructed bridge, and then discovering that was the wrong way, and illegally crossing it back again. We did not by any means take the most direct route home.
But we did eventually make it back, Kim very much alive and me feeling somewhat more on the dead side of things. The way back took almost four hours!
Well, I definitely got my DPA that day! (DPA is daily physical activity required by the BC government). I think I got my DPA for the next month. And the next two days my bottom and legs protested vehemently every time I got on a bike or walked up the stairs.
But on the plus side, I did get to eat a delicious stroop waffle. And by the time I get back to Canada I'll be in pretty good shape!
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