Delft had a really cold summer. I was told that the Sunday I arrived was the best and sunniest day during the entire summer. The statement got proved later. The weather changed to cloudy and chilly on Monday and stayed this way for most part of my trip. My first week in Delft generally went well although jetlag and work stressed me quite a bit. The company I’m working for has a great working environment. People at work are like a family and they are very easy to work with. Working with them gives me some insights to European corporate culture. In the meanwhile, I make the most of my stay to explore Delft and surrounding areas.
Monday afternoon, My Dutch coworker Karin recommended a family “Pannenkoek” (pancake) restaurant nearby. Dutch baby- pancake is like something between pizza and crepe. There are many kinds – sweet ones (with apple, raisin, butter etc.) or meat type (with cheese, ham, bacon etc.) Despite jet lag, I went to the pancake place “ Howdy’s Pannenkoek Saloon” and had a great pancake meal and “Palm” beer. The chat between me and a cute Dutch waitress was just as great at the food. She was kind enough to give me some entertainment information.
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Delft (also the best way to explore the town) is riding a bike. I rented a bike at Delft train station on Wednesday evening after work. Here it gets dark around 9:00pm! I rode two hours along the cannels, crossing bridges, through cobbled alleys, checking out some historic buildings, looking through windows of closed shops, boutiques, smiling at fellow Dutch bikers. When it got a bit dark, I found myself the way to “ Stadsherberg De Mol” recommended by my tour book. Entering the spooky looking heavy wooden doorway, I found myself five centuries back in time in the Medieval theme restaurant with dimming candle lights, chicken running around, humble wooden tables and benches, a short stocky old Dutch man in Medieval uniform running around serving several tables, the stares from the local dinners and slow and traditional Dutch songs playing. I smiled at the fellow dinners and found myself a table and thought “thanks to my wise tour book, this is going to be a cool experience!”. That night, I had amazing French red wine, “ Delft Kuyte Beer”, freshly baked traditional Dutch brown bread and some secret delicious cool dipping, creamy mushroom soup, a variety of meat: chicken, rabbit leg, ham, lamb roast and beef, fresh salad, potato, coffee and a sweet cinnamon stick. I had all these food with my fingers as a Medieval custom. I made friend with the manager Coy and had a tour around the upstairs of restaurant. This is a quite big restaurant and it often hosts weekend theme night and wedding.
My Dutch coworker Karin took me to Den Hagg Thursday night. Den Hagg is about 10 miles from Delft and it’s the residence of the government. Prime minister office, more than 60 embassies, the queen palace, Court of Justice are all located in this city. A line of traditional Dutch style architectures serving as Binnenhof are sitting right above canal. After we strolled through government and shopping areas, we hung out at the Plein plaza for dinner and drink. At a Plein pub, we met the Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenendeof Netherlands. We were told he comes out on Thursday night and hangs out at the plaza, meeting and chatting with people like one of the locals. We got to chat with him a bit and took a photo with him. I thought he’s the coolest prime minister ever (of course he’s the only one I’ve met). As easygoing as the Prime Minister seems, I found Holland is a very easygoing and friendly nation.
Monday afternoon, My Dutch coworker Karin recommended a family “Pannenkoek” (pancake) restaurant nearby. Dutch baby- pancake is like something between pizza and crepe. There are many kinds – sweet ones (with apple, raisin, butter etc.) or meat type (with cheese, ham, bacon etc.) Despite jet lag, I went to the pancake place “ Howdy’s Pannenkoek Saloon” and had a great pancake meal and “Palm” beer. The chat between me and a cute Dutch waitress was just as great at the food. She was kind enough to give me some entertainment information.
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Delft (also the best way to explore the town) is riding a bike. I rented a bike at Delft train station on Wednesday evening after work. Here it gets dark around 9:00pm! I rode two hours along the cannels, crossing bridges, through cobbled alleys, checking out some historic buildings, looking through windows of closed shops, boutiques, smiling at fellow Dutch bikers. When it got a bit dark, I found myself the way to “ Stadsherberg De Mol” recommended by my tour book. Entering the spooky looking heavy wooden doorway, I found myself five centuries back in time in the Medieval theme restaurant with dimming candle lights, chicken running around, humble wooden tables and benches, a short stocky old Dutch man in Medieval uniform running around serving several tables, the stares from the local dinners and slow and traditional Dutch songs playing. I smiled at the fellow dinners and found myself a table and thought “thanks to my wise tour book, this is going to be a cool experience!”. That night, I had amazing French red wine, “ Delft Kuyte Beer”, freshly baked traditional Dutch brown bread and some secret delicious cool dipping, creamy mushroom soup, a variety of meat: chicken, rabbit leg, ham, lamb roast and beef, fresh salad, potato, coffee and a sweet cinnamon stick. I had all these food with my fingers as a Medieval custom. I made friend with the manager Coy and had a tour around the upstairs of restaurant. This is a quite big restaurant and it often hosts weekend theme night and wedding.
My Dutch coworker Karin took me to Den Hagg Thursday night. Den Hagg is about 10 miles from Delft and it’s the residence of the government. Prime minister office, more than 60 embassies, the queen palace, Court of Justice are all located in this city. A line of traditional Dutch style architectures serving as Binnenhof are sitting right above canal. After we strolled through government and shopping areas, we hung out at the Plein plaza for dinner and drink. At a Plein pub, we met the Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenendeof Netherlands. We were told he comes out on Thursday night and hangs out at the plaza, meeting and chatting with people like one of the locals. We got to chat with him a bit and took a photo with him. I thought he’s the coolest prime minister ever (of course he’s the only one I’ve met). As easygoing as the Prime Minister seems, I found Holland is a very easygoing and friendly nation.
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