The rain was persistent today, continuing steadily all the way from the group’s departure this morning through our return in the early evening. It would have been the perfect opportunity to sport a pair of clogs given that they are both insulated and waterproof. However, I opted for my usual boots and a rain coat instead. We met up with our tour guide and Netherlands native for the day, Felipe, and headed outside to brave the rain. A full tramcar caused our group to be separated momentarily, but the ease of the tram system allowed us to reunite quickly and gave us all a good little laugh, lifting our spirits despite the gloomy weather. Our transportation troubles were not terminated there, though. Our reunion was quickly followed by a group-wide sprint to the train which, to our luck, resulted in us catching our ride moments before its departure. 

Reflecting upon the public transportation systems now that we have used them several times become somewhat familiar, I have noticed group members, including myself, making comparisons between the transportation here and the systems we are used to back at home and in Pittsburgh. Comfortability and ease of use have been at the forefront of discussion. Additionally, the cleanliness of public transit has been a frequent topic of conversation. I think all three of these points are noteworthy, especially for future engineers who may want to tackle issues dealing with improved public transportation systems. Ultimately, this relates back to environmental consciousness and the reduction of reliance upon individually owned vehicles in the U.S. 

Despite all that talk of public transportation, our feet ended up being our biggest mode of transportation today. We made the walk from the train station to Zaanse Schans, a Dutch neighborhood/tourist attraction centered around teaching parts of Dutch history. Specifically focusing on the items that are most likely associated with the Netherlands by the average person: clogs, cheese, and windmills. Although these goods were all undoubtedly significant to the development of the Netherlands and its people, I was most intrigued by the windmills. We could see them in the distance on our walk over to the neighborhood and the shear size alone was impressive. As we got increasingly closer and entered the windmill, I was not disappointed to find that the inner workings of the windmill were equally as impressive, if not more, than its outside appearance. The machinery inside was actively working to saw lumber merely from the power of the wind. Considering the fact that the original windmills were built entirely without reliance upon power tools, this engineering feat is incredibly impressive. Having experienced the developments that people without modern technology were able to accomplish, I am excited to see the advancements that my classmates and I will make.