Leiden, Netherlands

We visited the lively university town of Leiden on our final full day in the Netherlands. From the air, the historic center of town resembled a star ringed by water from its medieval fortress days.

Wednesday was market day in Leiden. The street along the main canal was full of people gathering up groceries. We strolled past elaborate tents filled with seafood, wheels of cheese, meats and fresh flowers.

Of course we had to follow the example of the Dutch around us and try some hot kibbeling (fish chunks, yum) with garlic sauce. They were tasty.

Leiden was defended by a circular castle called de Burcht positioned at the top of an earthen mound. The castle’s walls provided a 360-view of the old section of town. Once on top, I walked the circle. One pleasant sign pointed out an orphanage where hapless children were imported to work in the town’s booming textiles industry in the 1600s.

We peeked in the windows of the American Pilgrim Museum (alas, the sign informed it was only open Thursday to Saturday). These dissenters fled England to Amsterdam and then relocated to Leiden for several years before finally sailing for the new world in 1620.

Back in the market, we tried a traditional cone of friet (fries) with garlic sauce. You use tiny wooden forks to stab the fries and dip in the sauce as you walk around trying not to drop the whole thing down the front of your shirt.

We enjoyed exploring town observing the locals. It’s interesting to try and blend in and just watch as they go about their daily lives.

Evidently we blended in too much. We were almost run over by a bright-orange motorized contraption resembling a bathtub on wheels full of laughing kids. We’ve noticed the Dutch consistently place reflective vests on children when out and about. They were all lined up to go see Sinterklaas.

Tomorrow, we’ll pack up and drive southeast into Germany. We’re planning on staying in the town of Boppard along the Rhine.

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