October 2015
Bikes, cars, buses, and pedestrians all share one road, that is pretty normal. However when entering a country I have never been to, I always seem hyper-aware of my surroundings. Seeing three different roads, one for bikes, pedestrians, and cars, it reassures my not wanting to attempt transportation. My host family owns a British car, and in the Netherlands it is the same as driving in the U.S., so I am even more confused when it comes to how to get around. My first experience in the Netherlands was at the Amsterdam airport, which being an airport tends to be crazy with traffic. All the road signs (or lack there of) are different, and when it looks like there should be a stop sign, there isn't one, so I always cringe when we pull out of places. Bikes feel like they own the right of way, cars seem to feel the same, and as for pedestrians, well they just stay out of the way as much as possible. I cannot say all pedestrians are like this, but when I walk around, especially on the bike paths, I just keep out of the way and hope to not get hit. Bikes are the main transportation in the Netherlands, as seen in the picture below:
They have rows upon rows of these parking areas, and even more in the underground bike parking. I have never seen so many bikes in my life!
I am staying with Phil and Linda Gottschalk. They both work at the Tyndale Theological Seminary. The seminary is international, so there are students from all over the world there. Most of the teachers are American, but not all, and English is what is spoken most. Since it is a school for international students, I was told that they celebrate a holiday almost everyday. When I was there they celebrated Germany and we learned about German culture. The German students prepared a short presentation, and then all the students ate a German meal (beef with pickle, red cabbage, and potatoes). I was able to sit in on two of Phil's, or should I say Dr. Phil's, classes: Ethics of War and Peace-Making & Christian Ethics. We watched a movie called "Hiding and Seeking" to make the students aware of Muslims, and that not all Muslims are radicals. The movie was about a Jewish family and their struggle to accept Gentiles. The discussion afterward revolved around how in the Netherlands there are a lot of Mosques being built, and the overall message of the movie to not "demonize" people. Phil said, "We think we know what someone is thinking, and it is not always what we think. We need to listen and start relationships."
The scenery, once out of the city, is very flat with canals everywhere. Here is a typical scene:
The countryside is filled with windmills, old and new. The old windmills are used to keep the canals balanced, whether on an upper or lower canal to keep the water moving. Some of the canals are higher up, so it is odd when a boat goes through and you are standing below looking up. Even on the walking paths there is usually a canal on the right and left of the path. I was told that the Netherlands used to be underwater, so the windmills play an important role. The canals run all over even through the cities:
October 3rd is an important date for the city of Leiden. It is called, Leidens Ontzet, or Relief in Leiden. It is the celebration of the defeat of the Spanish siege in 1574. The people of Leiden were starving and when the Spanish were driven out they left their supper of Hutspot behind. This became the traditional dish for the Dutch. It is mashed potatoes with carrots and onion all in a pot. The Hutspot I ate had meat and gravy on top. Haring en witte brood, haring and white bread, are also what the Dutch eat on this day. The mayor will distribute the haring and bread early in the morning for the people of Leiden.
And of course there is a fair to celebrate! Lots of similarities in rides compared to the U.S. however there was one ride I have never seen before (though that doesn't mean it's not in the U.S. I just never saw it). Basically the child gets into what looks like a giant beach ball,
The ball gets air blown into it,
And then the child is free to roll allover a small pool.
During the festivities, the city of Leiden gets trashed from all the parties and crowded areas. Normally the Dutch are very clean, at least at home, but not in the city. On any other day the city of Leiden is very beautiful.
Phil and Linda tell me that there is very little Christianity here. Churches are closing and Mosques are being built. The Tyndale Seminary is a bright light for this city right now. The students are able to learn and take back what they learn to their countries, so in this way the light is able to be spread around the globe.
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