A Tale of Two Dutch Cities❤️🧀🇳🇱

So happy to return to one of my favorite countries! In 1979, we first moved to The Netherlands. My oldest and youngest child were born here. My second son David has a Dutch wife and a half Dutch son. They drove up from Germany to visit us for the weekend. I have many Dutch tales to tell.

We started our Dutch visit in a tiny home in the historic village of Zaandijk. The town is surrounded by windmills and cobble stone streets under a clear, blue sky.

Our grandson Jimmy is now eight years old! We had so much fun catching up with his family who we haven't seen since before the Pandemic. Jimmy goes to an International School in Germany where our son David teaches. 🏫 His Dutch mother works in a German Hospital. 🏥

We are enjoying the Dutch treats full of memories. We went to a cheese shop that offers free samples of over a hundred different kinds of cheese. Amazing !🧀🍪
I was happy to visit my favorite grocery store 'Albert Heijn' and buy more cheese, yogurt and stroopwafels. 🧀

We are now staying in a Leiden Air BnB outside of the city center. I didn't realize Leiden was so large. We're staying in a former garage remodeled into a vacation rental. The bedroom is in a loft that requires climbing a really tall ladder🪜 to reach it!


We had our favorite BBQ ribs for dinner last night. Today I will meet my old friend Jolien for tea. She used to be my babysitter and hair stylist. Now she is a mother of four daughters! Time goes by and we have a lot to catch up over the past 30 some years! 

Chuck and I walked all over Leiden! We visited Webster University where Chuck taught classes for many years. We sat at the outdoor cafes and watched the bicyclists go by. So many memories ‼️ 📝
Leiden is a beautiful, historic city full of many memories. Time goes by. ⏰
Farewell Leiden until we meet again!❤️

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