Trip to Leiden, Emma's First Post

So I guess I'll start by saying hello...Hello!

Today was our whole family's first visit into Leiden. Leiden is about 15 minutes from where we are staying (I'll spare you my trying to spell it). We went to lunch, did some boring chores, and a few touristy things. But, before we did any of that we had to walk from where we had parked our car into the city center. Which brings us to the bikes. They are EVERYWHERE. It's fascinating to see all the people on them. And it's not just the middle-aged business men who are being nagged at by their wives to "be healthy". No, it's everyone, from kids who can barley reach the peddles to the little old men and women. Believe me when I say, they are everywhere too. 

This is just a fraction of what there where. 

When we were at lunch and walking around, I found it fascinating to look around at the people and the architecture of the city. This country (which is smaller than the state of Ohio, might I add) has so much history. History that goes unnoticed by the locals because it's just around them everyday. They ignore the unimportant buildings, shelling out the insides of older buildings (that would NEVER by touched in the US) and use them for stores. For example, the buildings where people were buying Abercrombie jeans (not that anyone should be shopping there, looking at you Mr. Jeffries) are probably older than the USA.

Later in the day we took a boat tour of the city on the canals. I can see why someone would compare this area to Venice. There is water everywhere. Canals all throughout the city and the North Sea just a stone throw away. The tour was nice, we were only with two other groups with us. One from Scotland and the other also Dutch. Luckily the tour guide gave the tour in English. It was informative and nice. Also, the mom from the Scottish family recognized the TARDIS on my phone case ( if you don't know what a TARDIS is, it's something from the British TV show Doctor Who). This isn't really relevant to anything, but I feel like I should mention it as much as possible.

Aww look at our lovely family on the boat ride
(hang on... What's up with my hair?)

So that was pretty much our day in Leiden. A very nice city. Look forward to seeing more of it.