We had a 12 hour stay in Holland, landing in Amsterdam. Karen's friend Anneke met us at the airport. We took the train from the airport into Purmerend and we continued to drink coffee and eat as we wandered through this beautiful small Dutch town full of lush green growth and charming buildings. Karen's cousins Atie and Jan picked us up and drove us to Monnickendam where we saw Karen's uncle Cor at his beautiful farm (now surrounded by the town). We then met with another cousin Lida for a great visit and continued to eat.
Meeting Anneke and Karen's family was so much fun! I didn't have a clue what they were saying most of the time because it was all in Dutch, but they spoke, then laughed, then said something else, then hugged each other, then laughed, then ate some herring and onions and laughed some more!. They were animated and full of joy. More cousins arrived, Andre, Netty and Karen's Aunt Tinie. They put together an incredible spread for lunch. Karen said some sort of blessing in Dutch for lunch that made them all laugh some more!