Hello family, friends, acquaintances and random strangers-
As promised, here are the details from our side trip after Amsterdam: Utrecht!
M and L were very fortunate in that L's grandparents hosted an exchange student, Bt, 20 years ago with whom they are still in contact, and who happens to live about 30 minutes outside Amsterdam. When he heard that M and L were coming, he and his family opened up their house and city to the wandering students, and showed them some wonderful hospitality.
Bt picked us up from the hostel as soon as we had checked out. He drove us through Amsterdam a little bit, and then took us to his home in Utrecht to meet his family. His wife, C, and children, F and Ba, had picked out a Dutch apple pie to share with us, and it was amazing. We were also introduced to some Dutch candy, and the pet bunny rabbit.
Bt, C, F, and Ba then took us to downtown Utrecht. We ate a delicious lunch of croquettes with mustard-mayo on toast. We saw the cathedral and the tower, which were separated when the nave collapsed several hundred years ago. Ba showed us some of her favorite knick-knack stores. F and M played something akin to Jedi wars through the streets. C made sure that we were well stocked for the train to Brussels with a full bag of both sweet and salty black licorice. She also recommended we try these sticks that are literally cleaned pieces of wood. You bite and suck on them, and they release a strong anise flavor. It was definitely a memorable experience.
Utrecht was the hardest city to leave. It was so nice to be surrounded by a family, especially one as kind and welcoming as this one. Both M and L have considered going back again this summer just to explore more of Utrecht and to see Bt, C, F, and Ba again!
Lesson of the Day: Black licorice is huge in the Netherlands. Who knew?
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