Windmolens

So I woke up today to a snow covered Haarlem! Although it was very pretty, it was also very cold! So Amelia and I decided to stay in Haarlem today and see some sights instead of making the journey again to Amsterdam. But, Amsterdam, I will be back! Haarlem is a great city and I havent really seen any of the sights yet.

We went to tour an old Dutch windmill and it was so much fun! With the weather being so bad, there was only us there, the two super nice Dutch workers and one other tourist. The Dutch man gave us a history and tour of the windmill, how everything worked and we got to go inside. It was fun to learn about and see how everything worked. The windmill in Haarlem actually still does work, even though it is now a museum and usually still runs on Sunday.

After the delightful tour, we went to Teylers Muesum which is a natural history and science museum started by a wealthy Dutch merchant back in the 1800s. It had everything from fossils to old scientific instruments to paintings and coin collections. Interesting to see such old fun stuff. And yesterday, we each bought a museum card which allows access to most Dutch museums for a year! Very handy!

Snow covered Haarlem
The windmill!

The grinding stone used to make the mill the grain in the windmill and our super nice tour guide!

Inside the windmill they had all of these different actual working models...so cute!

Inner workings....the grinding stones. I loved understanding how it worked.

The view! Amelia and I both always wondered what this domed shaped building was. Well today we found out it was a PRISON...good thing we didnt try to go for a tour!

Beautiful view of Haarlem and the church in the square

We finally made it to a Dutch windmill! (I realize it looks like I am in the same outfit in almost all these pictures...not the case but its so cold and my ski jacket is the only one that I have that is warm and water proof!)

And it is right in our backyard!

Inside of the museum. Bad picture but the room was so pretty and the second level was lined with thousands and thousands of books.

Walking home from the museum, I talked Amelia into trying the Grand Nobel Cafe. It was Nobel Prized themed and had a modern chic atmosphere, not to mention very tasty food. (Shocking I know) But when I opened the menu I saw this...

Burger Obama! Right by the Mother Threasa and Churchill Samis. All the food was named after Nobel Peace prize winners. Made us both laugh. And the irony: it is actually a veal burger. I enjoyed the club sandwich.

After dinner, we talked ourselves into dessert. I had the idea of asking if we could get it takeaway...not a problem they said. When the waiter brought it, he said the kitchen had to improvise....this is our "take away container" Funny. Europeans dont do to-go boxes but I really appreciated them accommodating us.

Cheesecake and homemade icecream...which didnt melt since it was so dang cold outside!

It was such a fun weekend. I am really not ready to go back to work tomorrow...but when am I ever. Amelia and I will spend some time reorganizing the warehouse this week to prepare the location for barcoding in the Spring, so that should keep us busy.

Amelia and I are working on a killer tour guide for all those that are coming to visit :) And for those who are thinking about it, book your ticket and come see me! I would love love love the visitors! So much to see and do! (Less than a month until Stu comes!! :))

And something to look forward to next weekend, we decided to take a roadtrip to Antwerp, Belgium! Its only about an hour and a half from our apartment. Ive never been to Belgium so I am very excited!! :) Belgian waffles, chocolate and beer....sounds delightful. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for reading and for all of the wonderful emails and FB messages....keep them coming. I love hearing from everyone and knowing what is going on back at home. Love and miss you all!

al mijn liefde