Haarlem Shake

The heat, much like Tour de France (which began yesterday in Utrecht, right smack in the middle of Holland), is sweeping up this small country. Everyone I talk to say that this 90+ degree weather is unusual in The Netherlands where the norm is rain even this time of the year, or at least cooler temperatures. But trust the Dutch to make something out of a hot situation. Heat like this means out the Dutch go with their bicycles or boats, or simply to sit at the cafés to watch the world go by.

I arrived in Amsterdam three hours later than scheduled, thanks to an eventful musical chairs, I mean, flight, by Delta Airlines. But that's a rant reserved for another day. The first stop upon arriving in the Netherlands is always the coffee shop – no, not that kind, I'm afraid. I read somewhere that Holland ranks third for drinking the most cups of coffee per capita in the world, so it isn’t a big shock that they make good quality coffee here.

It’s preferable that that coffee is had in Haarlem, which is one of my favorite cities in all of Holland. It’s located to the west of Amsterdam, but more local, so much so that many times I would be the only one wandering around with an SLR slung on one shoulder.

While there are crowds of locals going about their normal Saturday business, it is easy to make a turn and to find oneself alone on an empty alley. Haarlem's skyline is decorated with beautiful, old gabled buildings. There are canals, the usual tangled mess of bicycles, shops, outdoor cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of specialty and local boutiques that make for great shopping. At the main square is Grote Markt where flowers, cheese, vegetables, and plenty other Dutch treats are sold.

Sitting outside of Mogador Coffee after a series of twists and turns in the pedestrian and bike only streets, I contemplate how after being in and out of this country and in Haarlem many times, I think I've finally crossed over that line that promotes me out of tourist status. What that means exactly other than I don't need to consult a Lonely Planet guide while here, I'm trying to figure out yet. In the interim, goede morgen, Nederland! Ik ben blij om hier te zijn!

Coffee: Mogador Coffee, Gasthuisstraat 48, Haarlem, NL. Website here.

Travel Shoes: Clarks Perez Glitter, found here. In the land where prepubscent twelve year olds tower over me (true story), that two inch lift from this flatform is appreciated. The best part is you don't trip all over yourself walking in cobblestone on these.

#holland #travel #haarlem