Today was very relaxing! We had the morning off which was much needed and I started off my day with a some of the hotel breakfast, and got ready for our museum visit to the Watersnood. This was an hour drive south of Rotterdam, and the views were amazing. Frank told us before the drive down that on one side, it would consist of grass, animals, and what looks like a town, and the other side is the complete opposite: water. He was right! It was so interesting to see how the road divided two completely different terrains.

After we arrived at the museum, we had free time to roam around and explore. I really liked the way the museum was set up, because it was very interactive and it made it feel like you were there experiencing the flood. I learned that the flood was caused because of high pressure and winds. I also liked how they included testimonials from flood survivors, and hearing their stories. I read that one man came back from a small trip to find out he lost 42 family members. Reading the testimonials and learning about the flood from a first hand perspective was a perfect way to present all the information.

I also thought the instillations they had throughout the museum to act as memorials were super well placed. One of them was a map that was embroidered with all the names of the 1,863 victims of the flood. Similarly, there was an underground portion where they projected the names over sand in a blue lit room.

What I thought the most interesting part of the museum was how they described the housing, and what they did after the flood. I had no idea that so many countries were involved in the rebuilding process, and how much the Red Cross had an impact.

As someone who cannot swim very well, the museum did frighten me a little, but I was really excited to learn about the cause and effects of major floods, especially since things like this can happen on the coasts of the US.

After the museum, we ate some lunch there, and headed back to the hostel. I was in desperate need of clean clothes, so Cassie, Lindsey, and I headed to the laundromat. We grabbed a quick dinner and an hour later, we are back at the hotel, and ready for tomorrow!