A few things I've learned lately:
- Siesta in northern Spain is an important part of the culture. I'm not sure if other parts of Spain have it so widespread. Most stores close at 2 p.m. and reopen at 5 p.m., however, there is lots of variation. I encountered shops trying to get peeps out the door at 1:30 p.m. and some never opened again in the evening. Restaurants tend to close at 4 p.m. and reopen at 8:30 or 9 p.m. Even saw a few that don't reopen until 9:30 p.m. The midday meal is the big meal. I took advantage of it but it goofed up my sleep and wake times a bit.
- The Dutch should be teaching the world about the wonders of bike riding for transportation. Riding a bike in NL is fantastic! The system of bike lanes is amazing. You can ride your bike right alongside a motorway and feel completely safe. There are even separate traffic lights for the bikes.
- Sometimes when it seems Europeans are being less friendly, I discovered this can be the same as when people like me are afraid to speak another language because we know we are not good at it. A young man in France told me, he doesn't like speaking English because he can't say what he wants. Many French, while they understand a lot of English, don't use it and so are intimidated by speaking it to a native English speaker. Clearly, this is true everywhere, not just France. Then again, the French language is so lovely, why would you want to speak English?
- So much to learn about wine in Spain and France. Wow! I feel like I've only skimmed the surface but it's fascinating. No wonder people have been drinking it for 1000s of years.
- Excellent Indian Food in Amsterdam. It wasn't really part of my plan but happened that way, twice. Once at the famous Saravana Bhavan which I found is delicious in Kuala Lumpur, London, and Amsterdam! Delish South Indian vegetarian food.
- The Amsterdam museum circuit is great. Loved seeing the Rijks Museum all remodeled and updated. The exhibits are great. I spent over 4 hours there. Never been a big Van Gogh fan, but I love all of the obscure Dutch painters, especially the ones who painted all the tropical places they sailed to over the course of history.
- The Plantage (or Jewish Quarter) in Amsterdam is a great education and housed in 4 old Synagogues. So much fascinating information on the history and persecution of the Jewish people.
- Booking.com has been very helpful. Small BnB owners hate them, however, for a last minute wanderer like me, it has been a real boon. It has last minute deals as well as having apartments. Nothing like having a clothes washer when you really need one.
- The beauty of taking ferries. I've always been a big fan, I think they are right up there with train travel. I wonder if part of the reason people don't take them is they don't get much exposure online. Even on Google Maps, you have to expand the map to be HUGE before you see the ferry routes. Everything pushes you towards air travel.
- Driving on the left (right hand drive steering) is fine once you've been round a roundabout to the left AND made a few right turns. Meeting a lorry on a small rural road and having to back up to allow them to pass is not fun, but it really has nothing to do with right hand drive. The country roads in Yorkshire were lovely and easy to drive.
- Travel is a great teacher and I'm learning something new everyday.
