Haarlem

We set off on another adventure yesterday - a day trip to the city of Haarlem.  What a great city, full of history, incredible architecture, beauty, catchy shops, bustling people, activity; everything that draws me in!  We joined our friends, the Cooke family, and caught the 8:35 train in the morning.  The weather in Kampen has turned cold and blustery, with lots of pouring rain.  We decided not to take any chances, and packed a bag full of every possible clothing necessity, should we get caught in a storm.  We lucked out, because the rain storms took a break for our day out, only returning on our bicycle ride home from the train station later that afternoon.

Ever and Maddie - best buddies.

Yes, it was an early morning.

Once again, TAG to the rescue!

Just like his big sister.

We made it to Haarlem!  We're starting to get this train travel thing down.

Maddie exclaimed, "Mommy! We need to take a picture here!"  So we took a picture here.

We took a chance and went on this day trip without a stroller.  The kids really did pretty well, especially given the fact they were tromping around in rain boots the whole day.

On our way to the Corrie ten Boom house.  Unbelievable how close we are to history!

Hot chocolate goodness at a cafe, while we wait for the next English-speaking tour to begin at the house.

Grand Cafe - XO.  They served us coffee and hot chocolate, just as we asked.  We didn't bother asking about the disco ball, the black fringe, or the rooms upstairs with red and black pillows adorning the windowsills.

The corner shop downstairs is where the ten Boom family had their watchmaking business. 

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who, along with her father and other family members, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II and was imprisoned for it.  The family built "a hiding place" for refugees, located in Corrie's bedroom, in case a raid took place.  When finished, the secret room was about 30 inches deep, the size of a medium wardrobe. A ventilation system allowed for breathing. To enter the secret room, a person had to open a sliding panel in the plastered brick wall under a bottom bookshelf and crawl in on hands and knees. In addition, the family installed an electric buzzer for warning in a raid. When the Nazis raided the ten Boom house in 1944, six people were using the hiding place to evade detection.

The outside of the house.

The thought of so many hurting, scared people, knocking on this door to seek refuge, was pretty remarkable.

Sitting in the parlor, waiting for the tour to begin. 

Corrie's bedroom, with "the hiding place."

The wall, cut open for visitors to view the secret hiding place.

View from the inside of the hiding place, where the panel slid up and down, using the weights on either side to open and close.  The space was so tight and small, it was difficult to imagine people hiding in there for days.  

The bottom shelf of the bookcase, where people crawled in and out of.

The Corrie ten Boom house was an amazing sight to see.  We are very glad to have experienced it, even with kids - although, they probably won't have any recollection of visiting it. 

Tourist photo-op!

L. J. Coster Statue - credited for inventing modern printing.  He is holding up a block of "movable type" and pointing to himself, saying, "I made this."  He is placed in front of the Grote Kerk, a 15th century Gothic church.

We packed a lunch and ate it at the base of the glorious church building.

Our view up, during lunch.

My favorite threesome.

Family happiness.

Love in Haarlem.

Nothing like a good ol' puddle stomp!

We ended our fun day with a stop at IKEA, as there was a train station directly out in front of it.  First visit since we've moved!  We managed to come away with a few things we needed, and were able to carry it all home on our bikes.  I'd call that a successful day! :)