traveltales: HOORN, HOLLAND

Sunday, November 2, 2014

HOORN, HOLLAND

An Historic Town

Hoorn, established in 716, on the Ijsselmeer, offers a combination of old and new. Monumental facades tell of the history of this former headquarters of the Dutch East India Company town dating back to 1357. During Holland’s Golden Age, Hoorn was an important trading center for the company especially in the exotic spices of pepper, nutmeg, cloves and mace.

The street plan has basically remained intact and historic buildings have been retained. The town has at least 300 monuments. Once one of Holland's richest port cities, the town has a rich past. Hoorn is the beating heart of West Friesland and the hub of West Frisian business life.

On a walking tour our guide pointed out a building that originally was a shipyard, then a prison and now it has 28 apartments and a new museum. Of the East India Company’s 325 ships, 40 of them were built here. The tower dates to 1532 with the top being added later.

Many pavement cafes, restaurants and benches for people watching surround the harbor. Hoorn is also a museum town with six museums within walking distance of each other. The West Frisian Museum is the oldest, and the building itself is an exceptional example of Renaissance art.

The inland area consists mainly of polders. A polder is reclaimed land from marshy areas or the sea via dikes. What used to be water is now land encircled by dikes–the Omringdijk (encircling dike) is the oldest. Man and animal live closely with one another in what is usually a combination of past and present day agriculture with green pastures for cows and sheep, alternating with traditional Dutch farmhouses and villages. A variegation of color begins in the spring with flowering bulb fields.

Hoorn's 70,000 inhabitants, representing about 80 different nationalities, live in the old city center and the districts built around it. Young and old coexist happily and that extends to both people and buildings. Modern architecture is carefully blended into the historic townscape.

All of the little towns/ villages we had the pleasure of visiting were a real treat. It is so nice to see preservation working, and it is alive and well in the Netherlands.

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Travel Tips

Wet feet, who has rubbers these day? To dry wet shoes put crumpled newspaper inside the shoe and it will wick out all the moisture. If you expect your travels to take you where your feet are likely to be walking in puddles or streams, pack a section of newspaper in the bottom of your suitcase.
In many places in the world the tip is included in the restaurant bill---good to know!
In Europe bathrooms are referred to as WC or toilet. Any other term is not understood.
When hiking, stop to tighten shoe/boot laces before starting down hill.
When traveling by plane be sure to wear all cotton clothing, which today is no problem. In case of fire, man-made fibers melt, cotton burns instead, leaving a clean burn vs one with all kinds of junk melted into it.
Didn't expect a sunburn and have no Rx for it? Dab the area with a cool wet tea bag. the tannin in the tea will reduce inflamation.
I bet you travel with a small bottle of hand sanitizer either in your purse or pocket. Did you know that when you spill something in your lap or wear part of your lunch that a few dabs of hand sanitizer on the spot will make it disappear like magic!
Speaking of shoes, I do not recommend removing them on a long flight. Untie and loosen them. I have actually seen people not be able to get their shoes back on because their feet have swollen during a long flight. Oach!
As painful as it may be limit yourself to two pairs of shoes. You are not traveling to make a fashion statement. Wear your heavest pair which should be a good pair of walking shoes. Pack a lighter pair or sandals.
Make a copy of all your documents and credit cards before leaving home and carry seperately. Also before leaving home leave a copy of your itinerary including hotels and their phone numbers and dates of stay with a family member.
It's always tempting to take a sleeping pill on a long overseas flight, BUT I never do because in the unlikely event of problems I want to have all my senses about me!
Afraid of bedbugs these days? Carry a small squirt bottle of lavender along with your other liquids. Spray your pillow and around your bed and mattress. This will give you a good visual and also repel the little devils.
I carry a couple of aspirin in my pocket and once the plane is in the air I swallow one. I feel this is especially important on long overseas flights to avoid leg problems.
If you do need to do laundry when traveling wring it as dry as possible by hand, then lay the article flat on a bath towel and roll tightly. Unroll and hang. It should be dry by morning.
I carry a small empty water bottle when traveling. I place it in the tray along with my plastic bag of liquids. Once through security I fill it from the water fountain. I always have water to take a pill or a drink when I'm thirsty.
Beware that European bath tubs are very deep and water is often scalding hot. Be careful especially if you have hip or knee problems.
If you're going to be gone more than a few days water your indoor plants well then cover with a large plastic bag tucking the edges well under the pot. If you use a laundry bag simply knot the area where the hanger protrudes. When you return your plants will be healthy and well.
In the largest print possible print your last name and hotel on a sheet of paper and place it on the top of your clothes before closing your suitcase. If your bag gets way laid hopefully it will make it to your hotel.
If you are the owner of the common black bag personalize it by adding various cut outs from colored duct tape. It will be easier to identify than if it carries a bit of ribbon.