The day started with getting breakfast in the hostel. Then the group traveled to Zaanse Schans to explore the famous Dutch windmills. We took the tram and train there. It was our first time using the train station here. The whole experience was kind of chaotic as a group of us wasn’t let into the tram because it was so full of people. It was okay though because we caught the next one. Once we arrived at the Zaanse Schans, we learned about the craftsmanship of clogs and the process for making Dutch cheese. The morning was definitely filled with rain and it down poured. 

At the clog making house we got to watch a live demonstration of clog making. Clogs are a good representation of Dutch culture. We learned that clogs are actually waterproof. Next, we went to see a demonstration of how the Dutch make cheese. Each process has layers and layers of work involved to create the final product. I learned that the Dutch known cheese is gouda. I also learned that there is a difference between pasteurized cheese and unpasteurized. The kind we all bought is pasteurized and lasts longer than the other kind. There are many different types of cheeses of different spices and kinds.

Keeping with Dutch themes and values, the windmills play a major role in their commitment to sustainability. We visited the sawmill, which cuts up logs and turns them into lumber that can be used for construction or sold. It was interesting seeing the mechanics behind how it works. The wind affects how fast it cuts the wood. The big block of wood can be cut into different sizes and sold. What’s even more interesting is that they take the sustainability aspect a step further by making sure the resulting sawdust isn’t wasted, but rather sent to a farm to use as bedding for cattle and filler for uneven farmland. The Netherlands offers a lot of sustainability. And that’s a wrap of day 3!