Day Trip

The best part about going to school in Amsterdam is that so many other students chose this as a study abroad destination. As as a result, the schools' International Student Network is always organizing trips and events. Saturday I finally got out of the city for the first time all week as we all ventured off to Volendam and Zaanse Schans.

Our first stop was in Volendam, a small fishing village north-east of Amsterdam that is known for it's traditional style. Both towns are a bit touristy but who can resist? Especially since our trip included taking photos in traditional Dutch costume...so go ahead and picture me in wooden shoes holding a giant basket of cheese wheels.

These adorable houses run up and down the street, and look at their view!

I mean, really? I would love to have one of these little houses and look out on to the water every morning. 

I want to become friends with someone who has a boat (particularly a houseboat in Amsterdam) and ride around. But sitting on the dock and wishing will have to do for now...

I also finally had poffertjes, which are essentially tiny, fluffy pancakes. I'm already in love with stroopwafels and waffles, so now I just have one more delicious fattening street food addiction!

After filling ourselves with sweets and fried fish and chips for lunch, we hopped back on our bus and headed to Zaanse Schans. If you've seen pictures of lots of windmills, you've probably been looking at pictures of Zaanse Schans. 

Again, this place is super touristy and most Dutch people don't go, but it's cute and somewhat traditional- and besides, who doesn't love a good photo op?

Zaanse Schans is also home to several mini-museums, including one devoted to the making of wooden clogs. 

You wander through little pathways and over bridges, working your way through the town. You can also loop along the waterfront where all the windmills are lined up. 

We got irrationally excited about this- this is the original Albert Heijn. For those of you who have never been to the Netherlands that means nothing. But AH is the biggest grocery store over here, and it seems like Amsterdam has one on every block. Albert took over the store from his parents in 1887, and they've been popping up ever since. 

My Hofstra people may recognize this....I'm not sure why it was inside Albert Heijn, but this looks exactly like Hofstra's crest, which was inspired by the royal house of the Netherlands (Hofstra has a very Dutch history). 

Though a bit touristy, if you're in the Netherlands for a while and want a quick day trip, Volendman and Zaanse Schans are both solid options for a fun, Dutch-filled day. 

We're headed off to Rotterdam and the Hague next weekend, and I'm currently trying to plan a few other trips, so I hope y'all are ready for some seriously photo-heavy posts over the next few months! And if anyone has suggestions for fun trips, either in the Netherlands or other parts of Europe I'd love to hear them!