The Next Netherlands World Cup game

John and I made our first foray into areas around us today by taking the train to Vlissingen and walking around that town some.  We

didn’t go down to the old town or the ferries because we’ll be coming back here as our jumping off point for Belgium.   We did get to see a working windmill, vs the ones that have been stationary everywhere.  On the way back into Middelburg we got to see the bridge swinging around for no apparent reason and the resultant traffic jam of bikes.  This is what happens when a 

 route is blocked for less than 5 minutes in this town. We got back to Middelburg in time for going to some friends of David and Margaret’s to watch the next Netherlands World cup game on their tv.  We didn’t have to shove or push through crowds to watch this game and that was nice.  Netherlands won again which was also nice and meant another 

night with unending partying going on in the streets.  The house that we watched the game in was from the 1600’s and we got more information about the city and what was original or lost in the bombing of WW II.  It’s amazing how old most things are around here, in fact, Hester told us that the beads that the Dutch traded the Native Americans for Manhattan were made here in 

Middelburg as they uncovered some of the ovens with beads still in them.  New York was originally New Amsterdam you know and then sold to the British by the Dutch.  All of this information just increases my desire to get out and about in the area and try to see as much as possible while we’re here.  We are a little constricted by the class schedule, but that also means that we can’t wear ourselves out like we normally do traveling and it will maybe be a more enjoyable experience.