Beyond Amsterdam...

As you know I have spent the weekend in the Netherlands and, curiously, I have been to Amsterdam. I say so because many people think it is the only city there. Well, it is not, there are many other cities/towns apart from the capital that are worth to visit.

(Which city were we in? hehe...yap right there)

In general I have liked the intelligent usage they do of the bycicles, transport almost everybody uses there. Additionally, the streets are not very cars friendly, everything is an advantage. Another important thing is the big amount of bars, coffees and beer gardens that you can fin everywhere, just great.

Kino, a friend of Cesar, was our host. He lives in downtown Delft and with him we went around the following places:

• Delft. University city with technical faculties (= many guys). It is quite small but the city center is worth a long walk, specially the city main square in front of the city hall. Suprises its crooked cathedral which is under colapse alarm when the bells jingle.

(view of one of the campus dormitories, made out of recicled containers)

• The Hague. Very well known city because of its European institutions. That must be reason of its snob air. Special mention to the parliament which is located in zone with walls and surrounded by a lake (or moat) .

("model" made out of sand of the most important buildings of the city)

• Utrecht. Quite big city characteriza for its lefty tendency. It was a quick visit but it left me with good taste in my mouth, I would not mind to go back there with more time. Important, the have a no sciences university and there are many Dutsh chicks out there.

(view of a typical Dutsh channel, in Utrecht to be precise)

• Leiden. Small city that hosts one of the highest "mountains" of the Netherlands. Famous for its Spanish siege that lasted for 5 months and, after it, they became the first university of Holland as gift.

(view of the cathedral from a small fortress of city, the highest part)

• Breda. Famous scenery for the Velázquez's painting. Indeed it has nothing specially remarkable but it was in our way back so we stoped by. It is said that children were scared back in time with the spanish Duke of Alba.
  

That's basically it, a great trip to rediscover Holland. We had a great time, doing different things and with the relax of the holidays. The worst, driving 1500 Km by myself.

P.S. As always, more pictures in the Galeria de fotos.