Caroline - what fun that was to read! You got to live the experience I always wanted (aside from trying to find three children the right schools). I have a very dear American friend that raised her children for several years in Amsterdam. Her sons are grown now and live all over the US. When I do get to see them, they love speaking Dutch. Here we'll sit, a table full of Americans kletsen als echt Nederlanders.

It's wonderful that you got to see so much of Europe. Holland is nearly the perfect base for jumping into the continent. All rails lead to Centraal Station. I love just standing in the train station, watching the vast train schedule board flip like mad with trains departing for dreamlike destinations. Cool that you got to do a little Wadlopen, or mud walking over the Wadden Sea. For those who might not be familiar, the is a wildley popular Dutch activity. It involves waiting for the tides to go out and having a guide take you through the mud to one of the islands that sit off the coast of northern Holland. It sounds crazy but it looks like a fascinating hike. We nearly went when we were in Harlingen, but decided to go on to our planned destination of Giethoorn that morning. I always have regretted the decision. Although Giethoorn is a treasure.

You mentioned that the Danes you ran across had no problem learning the language. It works the other way around too. The Dutch immediately know from my accept that I'm American, although they do give me kudos on my pronunciation. But they can always tell I'm American. When asked who speaks Dutch the closest to their own, they invariably say the Danes. It's funny, when I listen to Danish spoken I can't seem to get much of it. But I can listen to German and get some grasp of what's being said. Blah, blah, blah, heavens this must be boring to folks LOL.

Thanks for posting pix of your Holland treasures. My klompen have long since disintegrated from hanging them off the wall with plants in them. I need a new pair. The seal mug and story behind it are touching. And those speculaas molds, particularly the one with four animals are fantastic. But I have to say, that map is a show stopper and you better lock it up if I ever come to Alabama. Beautiful stemware too. Are the etchings pineapples?

My weakness is for their tile. I always pick up at least one when I visit. Here's just a few:

This is a polychrome example from sometime between 1600-1630:

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Here are two good examples. There are from about the same period, late 17th/early 18th century:
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Porceleyne Fles tile from 1920's thereabouts:
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This is the oldest in my collection, about 1580:
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Oh Caroline, now you have me going. I took a break typing this response to check airfares. Late February is going for about $600 direct. Then in March it jumps to over a grand. Must. Show. Restraint.

I could gasbag for hours about traveling. I'll spare everyone and close. Thanks for rattling up some wonderful memories for me too, Caroline.

Steven

I was typing quickly.

Oh your tiles !! I have no old ones just the ones we bought when we were there. But I do have this...(just realized the plate is upside down)

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this is from Makkum. I loved the tiles etc but this was so different than what everyone seems to think of as "Dutch" and we fell in love with it. I wish I had old tiles like your examples. Maybe when we get back...my DH is going to Italy for a meeting in May but I am going to have to show restraint and pass on the trip as he will be working the whole week and as you say...cost...Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories..we are going to have to "een kopje koffie doen" !!!!!!!!!! c

Also yes those are pineapples on the wine glasses...and the dates for the 375 years of the University. Did you get to go to a borrel ? They had them every Friday afternoon at my DH's dept. I have never seen folks drink as much as the Dutch can do. I see that there are whole groups who meet all over the US for Borrels. I promise to leave this now !! LOL. c

did you get to a borrel ? Those are pineapples on the glasses and have been put to good use . Here is a group that meets everywhere on a reg. basis.

Fri 15 Nov:
SAN FRANCISCO: NLBorrel DAMRAK GIN proeverij (GRATIS!)
(FRIDAY)
@ Amante (map)
570 Green St, SF, CA 94133 (415) 362-7870, 8PM