On Tuesday, Bill went back to work after our vacation. While he was working, the girls
and kids went exploring. We figured out how to buy train tickets and take a day trip to 's-Hertogenbosch (otherwise known as Den-Bosch). It was another beautiful, old, fairy tale city. We navigated maps, saw sights, dodged rain, and even took a canal boat tour. Check another historic church off our list - Sint-Janskathedraal. Even though the canal boat tour was completely in Dutch, the views were amazing! The canals in Den-Bosch are all within the city walls, going under small streets, houses, and walkways. Some portions were just wide enough to fit the boat through...we all had our breath a few times, wondering if we'd get stuck.
Wednesday, we explored Nijmegen...we went to Kronenburger Park and our Sint Stevenskirk Church to climb the spiral stairs up to the top for the view of the city like no other. On Wednesday evening, Kerri offered to babysit and Bill and I took full advantage of our first dinner out together sans kids in over 2 and a half months. I realized that there have only been 2 times in the past 2 months that I have been without the kids - one run and a quick walk to the mailbox. It was wonderful to go explore Nijmegen, as adults! Of course we had to get a drink in the oldest bar in the town - dating back to the year 1542! We then walked just a few feet to De Waagh in the smack dab center of town. Dinner was delicious and we loved sitting outside enjoying the sights of our little town! The service was exceptional and we had some time to meander around, looking in shops, finding new little side streets, and exploring more local establishments. Our last stop of the evening was at a café called De Templier. We've always looked at it as we walked by but it was always so crowded. While sitting inside making small talk with the bartender, a gentleman walked by and said "Hi there." We greeted and didn't think much of it. A few minutes later he came back again, inquiring if we were American. When we responded affirmatively, he invited us out to meet some fellow "Colonials." Turns out it really is a small world! Both were expats from PA! One was from our neighboring town of Skippack Village!!! The initiator was not American, but he was a very kind Englishman. We spent the rest of the evening with our new friends. I learned how to properly pronounce the street name that we live on (with close approximation), and got lessons on how to correctly eat herring and kibbling. Bill got to talk golf and I think he now has a few new golf buddies for when the kids and I leave.
Thursday night is the big night in Nijmegen - shopping night! Many of the stores stay open until 8 or 9 pm (usually they close at 6). Of course we had to go get ice cream and even found a delightful Belgium chocolate store nearby. Bill then took the kids back home and Kerri and I got to explore the town together on her last night. We ran into our PA friends and enjoyed an evening talking and catching up without kiddo interruptions.
Today, I am cleaning, catching up, and the kids are simply relaxing. It's 95 degrees here! Unheard of!!! The current daily average is in the upper 70s. Being on the 4th floor and no AC, it's slightly warm in the condo right now. In a bit, we'll be hopping the train to Oss and meeting Bill at the train station. Then we're going to Golfbad (the indoor pool that we went to our first week in The Netherlands). I'll be sure to bring my camera this time along!!! Later this evening, we'll be mapping out our last few weeks and what we want to see. I cannot believe that in just 3 weeks the kids and I will be on our way home! I don't want to leave!!!
The beautiful city centre in Den Bosch
A view on the canal boat tour
Yup! We ate dinner here on Wednesday night!
Sampling the local french fries at dinner - typically they are served with a glob of mayo atop.
We had it put on the side to appease both of us.
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