Zeist, NL – Took the train from Den Haag to Utrecht. A relaxed 40-minute ride that passes quickly. There’s rain on the window and it’s good to be inside. I’m hoping the relocation means outrunning the rain… at least for a little bit.
Rented a bicycle for the day and start making my way to Zeist. A smaller city about 7 miles east of Utrecht. The pedal is similar to biking the Eisenbahn Trail from West Bend to Kewaskum. After easily clearing the downtown, the hum of the community starts to settle however there’s a large distraction just north of the river. A huge collection of bicycles is parked to the side of the main street.
It’s the end of February, but in Utrecht, NL the flowers are in bloom and retailers and farmers have brought their stock to market. Bulbs and bright orange-and-yellow fresh-cut roses dot Janskerkhof Square in the heart of Utrecht.
The market sits in the shadow of St John’s Church (Janskerk) which is dedicated to John the Baptist and dates to the 11th century. The vendors are polite and enthusiastic, tending to their pots, the people, the bulbs, and making rapid sales as shoppers walk quickly to stay warm in the brisk chill of the day.
When I rented the bike the shop owner spoke some English. We managed to made it work. He stood in front of the bike, straddled the front wheel and holding the handlebars wanted me to test the seat height by climbing on the bike. I jumped on with ease… and maybe a little too much enthusiasm as the wheel with a front fender jolted forward. I can’t imagine this method hasn’t had similar…. if not painful ramifications before – but maybe that’s just me.
The aroma in the tree-lined street is comforting. Smoke rises from a fireplace and mixed with the coolness of the day it feels like the atmosphere outside Camp Randall before a Badger football game.
On a side note:
– Renting a bicycle in each community is a super way to get around. The price is about $15-$18 euro a day. Each bike comes with 2 locks. Bike theft is big in Europe.
– If I’m in a crowded spot and lock my bike I always take a picture of it. While there’s some organization, to the untrained eye it looks like a heaping pile of bikes. I agree, most look alike. I’ve rented three so far this trip – so taking a photo really helps. And if you think it’s easy… let’s just say the bike I was posing with turned out to be the wrong bike.
– Booking.com is a one-stop shop for reserving a hostel or hotel, renting a car, etc. One hack, if I find a hostel I’ll check the price and then try to find the location’s website and book directly through them. Sometimes the rates or the terms are better, because you’re dealing directly with the outfit itself and not the middleman.
-It has occurred to me, very frequently, that everyone is friendly and I feel safe. I ask for directions, A LOT. Everyone has been kind. Even the kid at the train station in Milan, when I was trying to use the automated ticket machine. He stepped forward, said he knew English but then, “Sorry I can’t help… that’s not my train line.”
-Dogs are everywhere. Even this one was tied up inside the store. Nobody cares. There seems to be fewer rules.
-The sunset on February 28. Was going to stay up and watch all the planets align… never made it. Too much adventure wore me out.
-I lost my treasured earmuffs. If it’s one thing I need yet. So, went shopping. Rather than take the child’s earmuffs in the shape of a cartoon pig’s face.. I went with a headband. Now I’ve bought 3, since one is better than the next.
-People LOVE to be complimented on their English. A girl at the grocery checkout said something and I asked where she was from. She said, “Amsterdam.” I told her I thought she was from the states – her English was just that natural. She said she watched a lot of Netflix.
-In speedskating news, the World Allrounds start Thursday, March 5 – 8 in Heerenveen. It’s the final big skate for Olympic gold medalist Jordan Stolz to end the season. Stay tuned.
