In Holland

Wednesday morning I left for Holland by train around 9 o'clock. In Brussels where I was to connect to Rotterdam, the train never came, so I took the one coming an hour afterwards. But it was alright, and from Rotterdam I switched to go to Utrecht. There I met Tante Leonie and Oom Ben with whom I have been staying. Then we drove to their home in Maartensdijk. Shortly after I had arrived, their daughter Yvonne's family of five came to stay for their Belgian Fall break too, making it a whole family occasion. We went for a walk in the woods nearby in Lage Vuursche, had a big family dinner that night and caught up with each other. It was nice to talk with my relatives in Dutch.
The next day we had a Dutch breakfast then embarked for a day-trip into the city of Utrecht. We shopped, ate dinner at a Spanish tapas restaurant, then did some brief site-seeing, going to the Domplein, old Post Office, and VVV. It's a really beautiful city with old Dutch-style houses, and canals. Before we left we went to the Domtoren, which is the Netherland's tallest tower. We climbed all the way to the top with a guided group, and from there we had a splendid view of the city all lit up in the mid-evening. After that we returned to Lage Vuursche, but this time we went to one of the many traditional pannekoeken huizen (pancake houses). As you might expect, we ate Dutch pancakes. They are thinner than ours, more like crêpes, and the size of a medium pizza. I got mine with bacon of the Ardennes, and Dutch cheese. It was amazing. Then we had vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Friday and today I have been staying mostly in the village of Maartensdijk because the weather has permitted little opportunity to explore. I have also been helping out with my first cousin once removed, Erwin, and family, who are currently in the process of moving within the village. I have gotten to go around the village some though, and I've taken lots of pictures.
Tomorrow I am going back into the city of Utrecht, and then back to Dordrecht again before I return to Belgium by train. Monday will begin school again.
I have quite enjoyed my Fall break, and speaking Dutch was a major bonus too. I have learned a lot of new words. The weather is less than desirable though, and I know it will only get worse through the course of this winter. I will live though (with heavy woolen clothing, scarves, gloves, and an umbrella).

Tot ziens!