12 September 2010
GRONINGEN e BOURTANGE - Netherland
We're now at the northern point of our journey, from here the route will start to aim home. As in any adventure, so far everything has gone quite well, if we exclude the cold, the fog, the constant humidity, the small space in which we live and the little food. All these small privations brought us to blindly trust our ability to select a valid campsite, at first sight. We'll soon learn that claiming victory before being back home, is not wise...
Today we visited bits and pieces of multiple cities. In Groningen, the museums were open and therefore we were able to visit the Martinikerk (building that hosts the Province), for free. The church is perhaps one of the most beautiful we have seen so far.
Going back to the car, we passed by a bar where they were baking cakes. From the window you could see the cooks taking the cakes from the oven and placing them in the display case. Elated by the perfume, we had to share a slice!
Result, mine is better!
It didn’t have a cinnamon crust and it wasn’t this big deal.
In the Martinikerk we watched a 3D video on how the city looked like in the 17th century, and a lady explained to us what the fortress was and where to find it. It was basically at the German border and it’s a pentagon-shaped fortress that later became a village. Seen from the top it is truly spectacular.
In the early afternoon we decided to go to the Assen TT circuit. We had the chance to go to the stands and see those racing on the bikes. It was great.
Then we decided to go to Utrecht. While going, we passed by several campsites including a super cheap one (10euros per night) but it looked like a refugee camp and the owner was drunk and stoned.
Eventually, we arrived in town and put the tent in the only available campsite. 20 euros per night and the toilets are disgusting, there is no toilet seat and they are really dirty. Problem is that we have already paid for two nights, and even if we’d want to leave, there are no other choices in town.
BRUTTONE’S NOTES:
(commenting the campsite’s toilets)
“If the door was made out of red iron, instead of wood, I’d say those are my high school’s toilets”
Scene of the day: I’m on the phone with Dad and Pollo starts laughing. An old woman at the table behind her: “Are you choking??”
Once arrived at the campsite, Pollo goes to the toilets and befriends the little girl from the bungalow next to us, who gives her toilet paper. The girl looks just like the twins from The Shining…
We’re at the restaurant. There is a big wolfdog (about 60kg/132lbs). Pollo sees him, calls him, and he starts running toward us. When the dog is two yards away from Pollo, she gets scared and hides behind me. Actually the dog is super sweet and he licks my hand.
