HAARLEM
We could have flown to Germany most directly by flying to Hannover, which is close to Winsen. But I wanted to stop in Amsterdam, both coming and going, in order to visit with Kathe’s niece Henrike, “Henny,” the daughter of Kathe’s brother Hinnerk, who lives in Haarlem, outside of Amsterdam, with her French husband Bertrand and their daughter Chiara. Three years ago on our way back from India, Todd, Susie and I stopped in Haarlem for two weeks with the Fleurets and were shown around by Henny. In addition, for about the same cost as flying to Hannover we could have two six hour train rides across north Germany and Holland.
Yesterday and today Henny met us and took us on rides around Haarlem including visits through the high dunes to the North Sea shore. In between her visits Susie and I walked around beautiful Haarlem with its boat lined canals faced by Vermeer type houses. Unfortunately many stores were closed on both Sunday and Monday, but many were open. I walked about five and a half miles, photographing as I went. In the large central square of Haarlem, in front of the huge central cathedral, a carnival had been set up including a giant Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and two twisting capsules on long arms that swung screaming people high in the sky.
Finally in the evening we had our last dinner in
Europe at a warm restaurant filled with lively people where I had duck confit on a bed of sauerkraut and mashed sweet potatoes and gravy.
At this point our two weeks in Germany and Holland are over. We feel as if we have been here for six weeks and, as always happens, in spite of having had a wonderful time are ready to go home.
BILLYBABA’S WANDERING 