It was really great to see Zachary - Michelle and Lourens have a webcam. He had just woken up and took a while to register who was talking to him on the screen, but then he realised who was there and became very excited to see us. All is well that side.
Then we spoke to Danica and Lila. Lila was very shy to wear the headphones so she didn't talk very much with us. Danica chatted well, and even Bethany had a turn!
Then we zoomed off to Leiden by car and got there for lunch. I had a herring (i.e. Raw fish) on bread. This is a typical Dutch delicacy.But Jacqui couldn't be convinced even to have a little nibble. actually it was very fresh, they have just brought in the first catch of the season and this is as fresh it gets.
Jantien's little Pelle Jan took to an adult male in the vicinity and didn't care that my Dutch is very broken! He spoke at full throttle about his back yard and had me following him through it, like a tour guided adventure. Then he told me I had to get the lawn cutter out for him, and while he cut the lawn, he instructed me to fix his bicycle fairy wheel, and then after lunch, switch his bicycle bell with a working one. It was lunch that saved me from his relentless chatter and tasks. But I loved it nonetheless. I learned Dutch conversation quicker than I ever have before.
Then we went to the Wednesday market next to a large canal. Like a flea market in Dutch ;-)
We found a stroop wafel stand, and the guy was making huge ones, about 20cm across. They were delicious, but just too sweet in the end. Of course,with the new herring season, there were a couple of fishy-smelling stalls with people dangling the things into their mouths and biting off piece by piece.
We were walking with Laura who had been there previously, so she guided us through some scenic areas. One of them was a citadel, which has served Leiden for centuries. It is a tower of defense on a hill in the middle of the city - and has served them during many invasions.
Jantien cooked an Indonesian meal for supper- it was superb. She has studied that culture, and become intimate with their culinary traditions.
The rest of the evening was spent in general socialising and girl-talk over babies, mommyhood, and stuff, and I used the opportunity to upload some pics for Jantien. Laura's leaving for home tomorrow.
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