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Julie:

 As we landed at Schiphol Airport, I said to Jake, "It feels like we have come home." As the day wore on, I realized what I love the most about this country is the architecture, water, and the people; but it's mostly the people. We met some incredible people.

Our first stop was Volendam. Volendam has been on my list for a couple of years. It's a beautiful fishing town with colorful houses and a large harbor. We rented bikes and got a little turned around, on our way to the harbor, and found ourselves in the residential area. This area was gorgeous. The homes are well kept, and although they all look similar, people adorn their homes to set theirs apart. I was very excited when I found the row of colorful homes that I had seen in pictures. If we had not been in the residential area, we would have missed them.

The harbor was peaceful, beautiful, and a place where the locals meet up. As we sipped our drinks, I noticed person after person saying hello to two tables of customers, and a quick exchange and smile was had. The longer I sat there, the more I thought that I could live in this adyllic Dutch village.

So who did we meet? On our way to Volendam, wet observed an older man converse with the bus driver like they were old friends. I figured that he must be a frequent passenger by the way they spoke and laughed together. As I watched the older man, I had the deep desire to become fluent in Dutch and be a congenial old lady. 

Before exploring the village, we rented bikes. The woman who helped us was very open about her experience of being Dutch. She took her time to get to know us, and really made us feel valued. She gave us a map to use while there, just in case we wanted to ride to  the next city over: Edam. We would have liked to do that, but after learning that I'm not as adept at riding a bike as I thought I once was, we decided to stay local. 

After a couple of hours, we decided to head to Delft to settle into our Airbnb. Once we settled in, we headed to the city center for dinner. We enjoyed sitting on the terrace, under the large umbrellas, and right next to the heater. 

We got back to the Airbnb, cleaned up, and fell asleep around 9:00. We were exhausted.

On the Plane Again

 It's been far too many years since we have been to the Netherlands, and a lot has changed. Having Daniel has significantly changed how and where we travel, but luckily, we have grown kids living with us who will take care of him while we're gone.

This trip, we will be able to meet a new cousin and reunite with some we met last time. We are so excited to spend more time exploring this beautiful country, seeing some top spots that we've been dreaming about for the past 5 years. Our trip will end in Paris because the Amsterdam airport is severely understaffed with security, and flights are being canceled every day through the month of October. I'm excited to get a France stamp in my passport!

Bikes

Did you know that there are bikes in the Netherlands?  Yeah.  They're everywhere. EVERYWHERE.  Bikes are so prominent there that I felt that they deserved their own post.

I was told that there were bikes all over there, and that most people get around by bike, but I was not prepared for the plethora of them.  Bikes of all different sizes, shapes, condition, and color populated sidewalks, roads, trains, buses, and garages.  Some were made for delivery of pizza, and others with front carts to carry children from one place to another (just ask Josje what she thinks of those).  People of all ages rode them, and I was impressed with the dexterity they had as they floated around corners and coasted down hills.  They seemed to glide across the streets with little to no sound.  Once in a while, we would hear a bell warning us of their approach, but mostly they swooshed by with minimal sound and a slight breeze.

Bikes really rule the small streets there.  We had to cross intersections carefully so that we would not get run over, as barely anyone slows down or moves around those walking.  There is a distinct bike lane on many roads, as well as a walking lane (sometimes marked by painted footprints).  We dared not walk in the bike lanes!  There were days that I wanted to ride the bike that the houseboat owner offered, but I was afraid that I would run into someone more nimble than I.

There are many bike paths in the Netherlands, and it is quite possible to bike from one city to the next.  In fact, we know of two cousins who do that regularly.  I could see myself doing that if I lived there.  My favorite excursion would be along the miles of bulb fields in the spring.  I would put a little basket on the front of my bike and use it for (almost) daily trips to the store.

A bike garage in Haarlem.  It can hold up to 5,000 bikes!

Dominoes delivery!

Josje's "favorite" bike. Haha

Wrapping Up

Julie: There are many words to describe this adventure, but perhaps the best word that encompasses everything is LOVE.  We were loved on beyond imagination, from Josje and Frans greeting us at the airport, special days throughout the week, spent with family, to Josje and Frans seeing us off at the airport.  Every single family member is precious, and we immediately connected with them.  They took great care in planning things for us, and we will forever be grateful.  The bonds with them is now strong, and we cannot wait to take the kids to meet them.  I once had a great desire to travel all of Europe, but a big portion of my heart resides in Haarlem, Den Haag, and Voorschoten.  From what we thought was just going to be a fun trip, turned out to be a trip of discovery of Jake's heritage, which I have now claimed as my own.  Jake and I both agreed that, although it was nice to see some parts of the country, what we enjoyed the most was spending time with family and learning his family's history.  We cannot wait to go back.

Jake:  I am thankful for my wife working hard to find family to connect with in Holland.  I would like to thank Julia for experiencing Holland and my heritage with me.  It was truly an unforgettable experience. I love you.



I would like to thank Frans and Josje for taking us in and being there for us during the whole week.  They were there when we arrived and they saw us off when we left.  The hospitality and great food was wonderful.

I would like to thank Greetje, Marianne, and Kirsten for spending time with us in Delft and for the fun gifts.  We spent the whole day just sitting and getting to know each other over a coffee and meal.  I would like to thank Clemens and Marianne for their hospitality and fabulous dinner.  Opening their home to us and loving us as family was more than we could have ever imagined.  The night was truly special.

I would like to thank Tiny and all the cousins- Josje, Ellie, Lillian, and Marian.  This includes Frans, Jaap, Pieter, and Gerard.  They made the night special with dinner and presenting a picture of my Opa and Great Aunt Stien.  Thank you for your love.

I would like to thank Josje, Lillian, and Jaap for the program and the day of visiting the streets of where my Great Opa, Opa, and my father lived, the time touring Den Haag and seeing the city and catching a glimpse of the palace.  The time to see the boardwalk and sea and having lunch was also special.  I will never forget seeing where my family lived in Den Haag, and it was especially fun doing it with cousins, learning all together.

I would like to thank Great Aunt Stien for inviting me into your home.  I will not forget the special time spent getting to know more about my Opa and my heritage.  We might have laughed about my Opa's tall tales, but we remembered the history and memories my Great Aunt Stien lived.

Jaap don't forget about my Opa arriving on a white stallion to save my Oma from tyranny.  He lived in a great mansion on the canal of Den Haag next to Robert Redford.  He was given the purple heart for his bravery in World War II.

We may have visited some cities and enjoyed ourselves in the Kuekenhof Garden, but my time with family was the greatest event of the whole trip.  It felt like Opa and Oma were there with me experiencing this trip.  I don't think it would be possible if they weren't guiding Julia and I during our time in Holland.  The holes in my heart are filled from the experience during our 25th anniversary in Holland.

Frederick Buechner said it best, “You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.”

Fine Dining

Julie: Friday was our last full day in the Netherlands, and we took our time at the boat: packing, relaxing, and then finally leaving.  Even though I wanted another coffee from Stads Koffiehuis, we had to get to the hotel in Amsterdam so that we could catch the train to Voorschoten for a family dinner.

When we got to the train station in Schiphol Airport, I was shocked, and a little unnerved to see police with very large guns, standing right in front of us as we exited the train.  I messaged Josje about it, and she told me what happened in Paris.  It made me sad, and I realized just how different things are in Europe.  It is a scary world in which we live, and I realized how far removed we are from events in Europe.  That is one advantage to living in a large country.

Voorschoten is a beautiful village.  European charm drips from every site, and it felt incredibly safe.  The village is quiet, but it has everything that the residents need for daily life.  Everything was in bloom there, and many people have small gardens (yards) that are well-manicured.  There seemed to be more single-family homes than apartments, as found in other cities.

Dinner was at the home of Marianne (cousin) and Clemens.  Their home is a 16th century home that they fully restored and modernized.  It is now a protected home, and on the official registry of historic buildings.  The history of the home is very interesting and intriguing.  You can take a look here (scroll down to see the flyer in English): Historic Village Farmhouse

 

What a wonderful dinner Clemens and Marianne served us!  We started off with salmon mousse over greens that were topped in an oil/balsamic vinegar dressing, then moved onto asparagus soup (oh, my word!)  After the soup, Clemens took us on a tour of the house, while Marianne and Greetje cooked the fish.  The house is full of twists and turns, stairs, old-world charm, antiques, and character, all while containing modern conveniences.  After our tour, we sat down to the main meal: creamed spinach, fish with melted French cheese, and duchess potatoes.  Talk about a gourmet meal!  It was erg lekker (very delicious)!  After the main course, we enjoyed great conversation and much laughter.  The final course was a cheese platter, then dessert.  The cheese platter contained French cheeses and a cheddar from England.  I realized that cheese in Europe is so much better than even imported cheese from Europe.  Maybe a lesser quality is sent over or maybe it was because of the company.  Jake, Clemens, Marianne, and Greetje enjoyed a bit of Portuguese wine, which paired well with the cheese.  I was holding out for dessert, so I only tasted a sliver of the blue cheese, cheddar, and one of the French cheeses (nobody knew what it was called; LOL).  Dessert did not disappoint.  It was a hazelnut torte which had layers of meringue and a light cream.  It was light and had just the right sweetness.  That's the thing with European sweets; they're not overly sweet (so unlike American sweets).

To say that it was difficult to say goodbye to this sweet family would do it an injustice to how we felt.  The immediate connection was evident, so leaving them was difficult.  I will cherish this evening that we spent together.

Jake:  Since Julia talked a lot about the food and Marianne's home.  I will talk about the house and the drinks.

The 16th century home captured the old Dutch heritage within it's five floors.  The first floor or cellar contained a kitchen in one end of the home to the other end with a wine/beer cellar and storage area.  The second floor contained the dining room with an old stove with delft tile covering the outside and inside of the fireplace.  The third floor contained the living room where we visited when we first arrived with another fireplace covered in more delft tile with another old stove at one end of the house.  At the other end of the house was a secret room with another fireplace with delft tiles with wall of books and music that overlooked the city street at the front end of the home.  The fourth floor contained two bedrooms and a bathroom in the middle of the home.  The fifth floor was a bedroom room at one end, and another room off of one of the rooms on the fourth floor.  You entered the study with a ladder to a bedroom.

Every inch of the home was refurbished to look as close to the original 16th century home.  The mix of wood, stone, tiles, and architecture captures the essence of the night as we visited around a traditional meal at the dining room.

This night was full of drink.  Clemens, Marianne's husband, served Belgian beer as we visited in the living room on the third floor.  It was light, crisp, and full of flavor.  I had another Belgian beer during the appetizer and soup courses during our meal in the dining room.


Then I was instructed to have white wine during our main course and cheese course.  During the cheese course, Clemens served a Portuguese Wine in a shot glass, which had a bold fruity flavor with a strong bite at the end in the back of the throat.  I believe it will be very hard to drink any beer, wine, or such in Michigan after such good beer and wine in Holland.

After a quick walk (running) to the train station, we crashed on the train back to Schiphol.  Looking forward to our rest before we had to get up early for our flight the next day.

Full Circle

Julie: The young and the old met today, and our trip has come full circle. Never could I have imagined being loved on by family who were unknown just a couple of months ago. I cannot put into words what this trip has meant to me, let alone Jake. There is something special about watching someone you love discover their roots and become a more complete person.  What started out as a 25th anniversary trip, with the bonus of meeting family, has turned into a trip of true discovery of one's heritage and family bonds that will last for time to come. Since I cannot adequately express the meaning of today, I will just talk about what we did.

Josje, Lillian, and Jaap picked us up near the boat and took us on a tour in Den Haag to see the neighborhoods in which Jake's great-grandparents, grandparents, and father were born and lived. Some buildings had been torn down, but some remained. Standing in the streets, I could feel the past around me. Lilian and Josje experienced this right along with Jake, and that was really something special.

After that, we went to Madurodam, where the Netherlands was set up in miniature. It was so fun to see the important monuments and structures that make up the history of the country. There was a model of a dike, and Jaap explained the way it was built and how it functions. I left there feeling like I had a good grasp of the history.

We headed to Scheveningen and had lunch on the boardwalk. The sea was beautiful, and the sun was warm. Lunch was light, and conversation was meaningful.  Before leaving, we video chatted with the kids so that Josje, Lilian, and Jaap could meet them, and vice versa.  Technology has been a great way for us to stay connected with the kids while we've been gone.

I'm going to stop here and let Jake finish because he will do the rest justice more than I will.  I will say this: my heart is full.

Jake:  Today was a day to find the roots of my father and my Opa. I was nervous and emotional.  I didn't know what to expect with the program (plans) Lillian, Josje, and Jaap had made for us.  Lillian was our guide and Jaap was our chauffeur through Den Haag.

We stopped to visit the streets of Calandstraat, Van Ostadestraat, Koningstraat, and Jacob Catsstraat.  I had the older pictures of the streets in the 1920's, 1930's, and 1952.  When I looked down the street at the placement of the buildings I could imagine where my great Opa, Opa, and father lived in Den Haag.

This was great stop because we discovered a little neighborhood of the old buildings in Jacob Catsstraat.  I could picture families and children playing in the streets. Possibly the chance of great Opa delivering milk door to door.  Yes, my great Opa was a milkman.  Before becoming a milkman, he was a carpenter, then after the war, he could no longer find work as a carpenter, so he delivered milk.

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Cousins learning their family history together.

After the nice walk through the streets if my heritage, we went to visit with my great aunt Stien.  My great aunt Stien is the last of the siblings of my Opa.  My great aunt Stein is 92 years young and full of joy.  She dresses with elegance showing the beauty of her heart.  She spoke so well of the history of the Zoutendijk family as if it was alive once again filling the room.

I was able to see several pictures of my great Opa and Oma, my Opa and Oma, and my father.  We also met Tiny who is my great aunt Stein's daughter.  Her name is pronounced "teeny," and she was named that because she was just 5 pounds when she was born.

Before we went to great aunt Stien's home, we went to the Madurodam.  The Madurodam is a miniature replica of all the major cities and life in the Netherlands.  It was great to see such artistry providing a grand picture of the Netherlands.

After our visit with great aunt Stein, we went to dinner at an Asian style buffet, where I met two more daughters, and their husband, of my great aunt Petronella (Josje and Lillian's mother).  We visited with each other and ate good food.

At the end if our visit, the family gave Julie and me a gift for our anniversary.   It was a picture of my Opa and great aunt Stien at the beach where my Uncle Mike and Aunt Cathy had a beach house on Lake Michigan.  It was a great gift.  The picture was about family.   The rock in the background was a rock my cousins and I used to climb on when we gathered together in the summers.  It was a picture of the bond of love between brother and sister.

This day was great.  I filled the holes in my life with today.  I will be leaving a piece of my heart with my Netherlands family.