Today we ventured to Zaanse Schans to learn about the different products made from the windmills! Thankfully, I bought an umbrella before we left so I was able to stay somewhat dry during the rain that lasted all day.
On our way there, we ran into some public transportation roadblocks. After a delayed tram and running across Amsterdam Centraal (the main train station in the city), we finally arrived to meet our tour guide, Felipe. He explained to us the background of Zaanse Schans and the geographic advantages of the region. The area is flat and close to water, which are ideal conditions for windmill operations since there are no hills or friction from the ground to impede windspeed. There also used to be upwards of 144 windmills where we walked around!
Our first production demonstration of the day was clog-making. Clogs used to be made by hand carving pieces of wood but are now made from a saw that is guided by an already existing clog. I got the chance to try on a pair of clogs, and to my surprise, they were incredibly comfortable. In addition to being comfortable, clogs were popular for Dutch workers because they were protective and water-resistant.
The second demonstration was a cheese production demonstration. We were shown how cheese is made by the Henry Willig company, and given details on how slightly changing product consistencies and aging time will yield completely different types of cheese. My personal highlight of the day was sampling the assortment of cheeses in the cheese shop. I, unfortunately, did not get the chance to try every single cheese available but bought some to take back home. The Henry Willig company also takes measures to be sustainable while making cheese. When cheese is made, about 10% of the processed milk is turned into curds to make cheese and the rest is left as whey. The company reuses whey for beer production to ensure they do not have any waste. Also, Henry Willig uses Jersey cows for milk since they produce less manure and therefore have lower carbon emissions. It was impactful to learn how another company in the Netherlands is focused on sustainability and that sustainability is prevalent at both an individual and corporate level.
The last demonstration of the day was at the sawmill. We were shown how the windmills convert the rotational motions of the blades into a more up-and-down mechanical motion (using a crankshaft) to saw wood. While this innovation many workers out of a job about 400 years ago, sawing became incredibly more efficient and wood production boosted the Netherlands’ economy. I also learned that is easier to saw wood when it is wet, so the windmills (that are also sawmills) are built right on the water to more easily access soaked wood.
Tomorrow will be early morning since we are visiting the tulip farm and flower auction at 7:30!