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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 21st April 2008
By: Eryah
Hello!
Today we asked Eva to tell us everything she know about Alkmaar. She told us some funny stories!
Alkmaar is above all Holland's cheese town. During the season from the first Friday of April to the first Friday of September a traditional cheese market is being held here on Friday mornings between 10 and 12.30. The cheeses are sold by dealers on a clap of hands. Thereupon the 400 year old cheese porters' guild goes into action, carrying the cheese off on barrows after the lot has been weighed at the Waag (the official scales). In the Waaggebouw - in which the scales are housed - a cheese museum that tells everything about dairy farming has been established.
Cheese has been weighed in Alkmaar since 1635.
Alkmaar is historical with around 400 monuments. The Waag, dating back in its earliest form to the 14th century, the 16th century town-hall, Grote St. Laurens Church and the many courtyards, facades and canals give the town an ambience all of its own. With the past as a setting, the town has a modern stock of shops offering a wide choice. Besides the predominantly small shops in the old centre, the Noorder Arcade with large scale shopping facilities stands by the side of the Noord Holland Canal.
Alkmaar is the biggest town in the region. Relaxation can also be found in the Geestmerambacht recreational area close by.
Big hugs Bene
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Posted Apr 21, 2008, 10:27 pm
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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 23rd April 2008
By: Eryah
Hello!
Also a new TV arrived today. When we got home from our walk we found a paper that said there was a package for Eva delivered by her neighbours. The package was very big so we all were wondering what could be in that big box. It's always fun to meet new friends!
It was very strange to see a small beer walked out of the box.
Why such a big box for such a small animal? But suddenly i saw a string attached to the beer. I shouted to the other ones this beer wasn't alone. There was one more in the box!
It is Davy with his little friend!
Big hugs Bene
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Posted Apr 23, 2008, 6:27 pm
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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 27th April 2008
By: Eryah
Hello!
I start with the good news. Eva decided to do something for us yesterday evening. We had no clue what it was because she showed us a strange thing:
We go to bed and were thinking what i can be and when we got out of bed this morning we finally saw what is was:
It is a pool! Today they predict a very sunny and hot day so Eva thought it would be a great idea to give us something fresh and funny.
But the bad news is:
They were wrong! It's very cloudy
Hopefully the sun will show itself today so we can play in the pool.
Big hugs Bene
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Posted Apr 27, 2008, 11:06 am
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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 29th April 2008
By: Eryah
Hello!
Today was such a rainy day. It was such a pitty because we wanna do something outside. Hopefully the weather is better tomorrow.
Eva wanna cheer us up so she made a typical dutch snack: patat, kroketten and kaassoufle. First it taste a little funny but after the first bite i loved it!
Eva also had a very delicious desert for us, chocolate mousse!!
Big hugs Bene
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Posted Apr 29, 2008, 4:26 pm
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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 30th April 2008
By: Eryah
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Posted Apr 30, 2008, 1:52 pm Last edited Apr 30, 2008, 1:52 pm by Eryah
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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 2nd May 2008
By: Eryah
Hello!
Yesterday was the last evening here in Alkmaar for Iggy-Korn and Lillebi.
Eva organised a surpriseparty for them.
Suddenly the doorbel rings. When we opened the door Lejow stood there! That was a very big surprise. She wasn't alone.
Here are Sylphide, Tony and Meleleuca
We talked a lot in the garden and everybody wanna tell their story so before we know the sun was down.
That night we played on the wii for a long time but unfortunatelly the pictures failed. That's really a pitty!
After a long evening full of fun we sleep together and this morning it was time for one last picture of the whole group.
Big hugs Bene
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Posted May 2, 2008, 12:46 pm
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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 2nd May 2008
By: Eryah
Hello!
This morning the time was come: we brought Iggy Korn and Lillebi to the post office. Before that we said goodbye to each other. It was sad to say goodbye and i hope they both have a great trail! I'm glad i get to know them and maybe our pads will cross again. I really hope so!
Bye Iggy Korn!
Bye Lillebi!
Big hugs Bene
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Posted May 2, 2008, 1:06 pm
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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 3rd May 2008
By: Eryah
THE POOL: ROUND 2
Hello!
Today we decided to do something back for Eva. Again it's very nice weather so we decided to put air in the pool for her.
It was hard working!
But Eva wasnt the only one who enjoyed the pool today.
It was very nice to get a tan in the pool and the water gives me refreshment.
Eva lives by the water and suddenly we heared funny sounds coming from the water. It were little baby birds!
They were so sweet and we gave them bread.
Big hugs Bene
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Posted May 4, 2008, 7:35 pm
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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 4th May 2008
By: Eryah
Hello!
Today was the day of Remembrance the dead in the Netherlands.
Remembrance of the Dead (Dutch: Dodenherdenking) is held annually on May 4 in the Netherlands. It commemorates all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of World War II.
Until 1961, the commemoration only related to the Dutch victims of World War II. Since 1961, the victims of other military conflicts (such as the Indonesian National Revolution in Indonesia) and peacekeeping missions (such as in Lebanon or Bosnia) are remembered on May 4 as well.
Traditionally, the main ceremonies are observed in Amsterdam at the national monument on Dam Square. This ceremony is usually attended by members of the cabinet and the royal family, military leaders, representatives of the resistance movement and other social groups. At 8:00 p.m., two minutes of silence are observed throughout the Netherlands. Since May 4 1994, the flags, having hung at half-staff during the day, are then hoisted to the sounds of the Wilhelmus, the Dutch national anthem. Since 2001 the new protocol says it's okay to let the flag hang half-staff.
Although the main celebrations get the most attention from the media, there are ceremonies in other cities and places as well, such as the Waalsdorpervlakte near the Hague where many Dutch resistance fighters were executed during the war. In many towns, before or after the two minutes of silence, people gather around a monument, listen to speeches, and lay down flowers to remember the dead.
One day later, on May 5, Dutch people celebrate the liberation from the German occupation between 1940 and 1945.
We watched the remembrance on the television. We saw the Waalsdorpervlakte.
Big hugs Bene
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Posted May 4, 2008, 7:26 pm
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Alkmaar, the Netherlands - 7th May 2008
By: Eryah
Hello!
I ride on a bike today! It was scary! But i also love to do it! Fortunate for me the bike has wheels on the frame. So i kept well in balance.
Look at me mum!
When i'm home a want a bike for myself. You feel the wind and you can go fast if you want. I notice that in Holland they do not wear helmets for your safety. Everybody here rides on a bike and the people learn it to there children almost before they can walk. I looked my eyes out.
Big hugs Bene
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Posted May 7, 2008, 6:42 pm
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