Easter Monday Holiday

Here in the Netherlands the Monday after Easter is a national holiday. Banks(not that we can bank!) Post office, many shops and activities are all closed. Jerry asked his co-workers what folks usually did on this day, and they said "we relax".
Well I think you know me well enough by now to know that Hinckas Never Relax! It's not in our nature!So, in spite of the temp, 8c and winds making the windchill 3c, and rain off and on, we struck out for the north and the fishing villages of Volendam and Marken. All the guidebooks tell you not to go in the summer because they are super crowded. NOT a problem today! Only a few fellow nutcases and one tour bus had made the trek.
First Stop:Volendam
This old fishing village is world-famous. It is built along s dyke and has a beautiful harbour where you can take a boat ride or buy fish, or, if you are Japanese or German, have your photo taken wearing traditional old fashioned Dutch costumes! You can also purchase all manner of souvenirs, including the ever popular t-shirt decorated with a marijuana leaf that reads "Good Girls go to Heaven, Bad Girls go to Amsterdam". Isn't it a lovely world?! Anyway, the quay is beautiful, with ancient atmospheric windy streets, tiny wooden houses, canals everywhere. On many of the holidays the residents where traditional costumes woman-tight bodice, full brightly coloured striped skirts and lace caps, men-loose trousers,jackets and of course, Wooden Shoes!(which they sell for about $60 a pair! yikes!) In spite of the rain and fierce wind we really enjoyed strolling around. I guess you can walk to the village of Edam,but given the conditions we decided to head to the car. At that point we realized that the museum on cheese making in Edam was closed for the holiday (rats!) and decided to head to Marken.
Second Stop: Marken
For almost eight centuries, Marken was a fishing community that saw little change. In 1957 a causeway was built to the island that ended the isolation. The island has kept its original atmosphere, with windy streets and wooden houses built on mounds and piles to guard against flooding. Neat fact we learned...the houses are wooden because brick houses would be to heavy and sink into the peat!
We saw Het Paard lighthouse in the distance,through the rain, as we walked around the island.We used our museum pass to visit the Marken museum which was listed as being in 6 historic fishing houses. So we enter a tiny house, "talk" to the two adorable ancient ladies in traditional garb who do not speak English, and enter the museum. We watch a short movie about the history of the island, walk around the tiny house, see models in traditional clothes for parties,mourning,marriage,etc. just get a flavour for life as it was "way back when" on Marken. I then go to the front and attempt to ask the ladies,"so where are the other 5 houses that are part of the museum and how do we enter them?"
They crack up! huh? It turns out that we are in SIX houses not one! Let me tell you that these six houses can't have been 800sq.ft.! I ask them how many people lived in the homes and they pointed to six spots from front to back and said "5,4,6,5,7,4"  Holy smokes!!!   the other "educational" thing I was able to do was teach the children the exact meaning of the word "TOURIST TRAP". The guidebook listed cheese factory and clog-making workshop. Uh huh! Think large dollar store format with lathe in one corner,not being used, 45euro and up wooden shoes, wood tulips 3euro/stem,the afore mentioned T-shirts and many others. and best of all, given the rain, and barrel of cheap umbrellas by the front door for 11euros(about $17 bucks!!). A tour bus was parked outside and the place was doing a brisk business, especially on the umbrellas!
Third Stop: Ikea
I know, here we go again! but the meatballs...you don't understand.....!!!

a crane

the windmill jump!

traditional idea of Holland, right?

guarding Volendam Harbour

streetscape

harbour view

church we found tucked away on our walk

Charlotte and Jerry on the dike around Marken

traditional Marken dress at the museum

fishing boat