The Netherlands
If you still think the Netherlands is all about windmills and wooden shoes, then you better catch up. It was back in the old days, but not anymore. Sorry to burst your bubble:-)
The windmills are still there, but sporadically and mostly kept for historical reasons and tourism. A few are still in a good, working condition, but even to the Dutch that has become a rarity and an exciting attraction to visit.
The old ones are probably more attractive because of their nostalgic value, but I have seen the new ones painted in the colors of a rainbow, which was a very pretty sight.
As for the wooden shoes, The older generation, who lived mainly outside the cities, grew up wearing them. They were mostly farmers, which was a huge chunk of the population at that time.
There were a lot of advantages to wearing wooden shoes. They were cheap, warm in the winter, water-resistant and long-lasting. Plus, since they didn't take on the form of the owner's foot, they could be passed on to the next kid in line. That was, if you didn't break them in the meantime.
Apparently, that was a rarity because the Dutch have a saying when it comes to something astonishing: "That breaks my wooden shoe!" The wooden shoes have long been replaced by more adorning footwear, due to the fashion industry.
Just like the windmills, you can still spot some wooden shoes here and there. Should you get the chance, visit a wooden shoe maker; it is quite an experience to see the craftsmanship with which these shoes are made. You can sporadically find them fully operational on farmers' feet. Yes, those are still around.
Nowadays the wooden shoes are bought and used as planters. They are hung outside to give the house a little curb appeal and since the tourist-industry got hold of them, they are sold as souvenirs.
In case you like to visit an authentic windmill and you know which province you will be in, you can locate them by using the search option on the following site: www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/zoek_e.php
Ask the Tourist Information Bureaus for the nearest clog makers; they should be able to point you in the right direction. :-)
See also:
Things To Keep In Mind
A Cheesy Topic
Dutch Neck Of The Woods
Tricks Of The Trade
The windmills are still there, but sporadically and mostly kept for historical reasons and tourism. A few are still in a good, working condition, but even to the Dutch that has become a rarity and an exciting attraction to visit.
The old ones are probably more attractive because of their nostalgic value, but I have seen the new ones painted in the colors of a rainbow, which was a very pretty sight.As for the wooden shoes, The older generation, who lived mainly outside the cities, grew up wearing them. They were mostly farmers, which was a huge chunk of the population at that time.
There were a lot of advantages to wearing wooden shoes. They were cheap, warm in the winter, water-resistant and long-lasting. Plus, since they didn't take on the form of the owner's foot, they could be passed on to the next kid in line. That was, if you didn't break them in the meantime.
Apparently, that was a rarity because the Dutch have a saying when it comes to something astonishing: "That breaks my wooden shoe!" The wooden shoes have long been replaced by more adorning footwear, due to the fashion industry.
Just like the windmills, you can still spot some wooden shoes here and there. Should you get the chance, visit a wooden shoe maker; it is quite an experience to see the craftsmanship with which these shoes are made. You can sporadically find them fully operational on farmers' feet. Yes, those are still around.
Nowadays the wooden shoes are bought and used as planters. They are hung outside to give the house a little curb appeal and since the tourist-industry got hold of them, they are sold as souvenirs.In case you like to visit an authentic windmill and you know which province you will be in, you can locate them by using the search option on the following site: www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/zoek_e.php
Ask the Tourist Information Bureaus for the nearest clog makers; they should be able to point you in the right direction. :-)
See also:
Things To Keep In Mind
A Cheesy Topic
Dutch Neck Of The Woods
Tricks Of The Trade
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