Various facets of Gouda
I've been into crossword puzzle at one point in my life that when I come across Dutch cheese, the answer will always be a choice between Edam or Gouda. I never thought that one day, I'll be at the place itself known the world over for its delightful cheeses. I've lived in Holland for over 10 years now but strangely enough, my trip to Gouda Thursday of last week was just the second time. I first visited this city with Siefko way back in the winter of 1998 and I remember how cold it was then. My visit now is the complete opposite with sunny spring weather. I had fun exploring the city and taking pictures.
Mediterranean delicatessen
Thursday was market day so the city square was filled with stalls selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meat and poultry, seafoods, cheeses, fabrics, etc...I got sidetracked by the Mediterranean delicatessen stall and the engaging stall owner persuaded me to sample the olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Oh, they tasted so nice that in the end, I parted with Eur 15 for some of the nice stuffs to bring home to Siefko.
As I wandered through the city center, I was able to explore the Waag (Weigh House for cheese), bought some postcards but resisted the idea of buying cheese because I didn't like the idea of carrying it with me all the way home. Couldn't resist getting some "stroopwafels" to bring home though as I also learned that the best stroopwafels are from Gouda. Always nice to have at home to go with tea, hmmm...
Souvenir items
Gouda cheeses and chocolate eggs
Gouda is a lovely city and its city center is very pleasant to explore. The city hall (Stadhuis) is one of the finest example of Gothic architecture in the country. I intend to come back in the summer months on a Thursday to personally witness the cheese market conducted in the open, in the way that it has been carried out for centuries. Can be touristic but then why not? Gouda is about half an hour's train ride from Amersfoort. Not such a great distance, just like going to Amsterdam on a normal working day for me.
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