Openluchtmuseum

Since we weren't having enough fun, we decided to go to Arnhem for the day -- to visit the Openluchtmuseum.  For those who are familiar with both places, it's like Colonial Williamsburg but the Agrirama.  That is, it is an artificially constructed town of old houses that have been moved and placed on canals.  There are several periods represented, about 5 windmills, a tram, a schoolhouse, and ... you get the idea.

So we set off in the train for our little expedition.  The train ride required one change.  No one even thought about looking at our tickets on the first stretch (which the girls confirmed as having been their experience on previous trips), but a very official-looking conductor (and very Dutch as well -- tall, blond, etc.) came by on the second leg.  He looked at the tix that I had prepurchased and printed out.  He asked for my ID.  I'd asked Erik whether I would need my passport, and he didn't think so -- so of course I didn't have it with me!  I explained the situation (the entire conversation was conducted in English, you understand), and he stiffly said, "It's stated clearly in Dutch on your ticket that you need to have identification." We were rather tickled that he didn't even see the humor in this kind of statement.  Well, obviously -- I should have known!  But he did let us pass on and didn't do much other than tsk-ing.

We then tried to rent bikes to ride to the museum, but they didn't have any for the junior members of the group; it was an easy bus ride instead.  The museum is a fantastic place, and well worth visiting.  Of course, our cameras ran out of batteries, so our pics are limited.



Students outside the schoolhouse



The fireplace was in the middle; students brought peat for burning.





Ashley and James working with slates

 



It was  surprisingly roomy, and a different layout than we'd expected

  

Outside a turf house.  It wasn't as dire as one would have expected.



Who doesn't love riding in a tram?



A mansion.  Trouble is, the animals live IN the house with you.



Blacksmith at work.  We loved the beard.

On the way home, we had a fabulous time watching the bunnies lolloping about in the fields next to the train.  So sweet!  (And no conductors this direction.)

Love,

Alexandra