Today we took a train out to Zaanse Schanse to see some original windmills on the coast that are still operational. While there we also got to see some other classic dutch symbols like a clog workshop and the process at Henry Willig to make cheese.
While in Zhaanse Schanse we got to see some of the original windmills that contributed to much to the Netherlands history. Windmills in the Netherlands were able to convert the rotational motion from the spinning blades into linear motion by use of a crank shaft, which allowed them to use the windmills as sawmills and quickly process lumber into planks, this contributes to the dutch naval power from how quickly they could build new ships. Since their navy made the dutch a large power in the spice trade, spices that were brought to and stores in their ports could also be ground down by windmills. Windmills also contributed to how the dutch could clear seawater out of low elevation areas to expand farmland with Archimedes screws. Harnessing the power of the wind continues to be a dutch tradition, we have seen so many wind turbines as we travel outside the city!
Zhaanse Schanse had a small museum showcasing different styles of traditional clogs, some intricately painted or carved and others strictly utilitarian with waterproof coverings up to the knees for fishermen. We also got to see some of the process for how clogs are made with modern machinery, the carving process for this only took about 5 minutes! This was a huge improvement over the 2 hours it would take to carve them entirely by hand although I still thing that is impressively quick in its self. after the carving process the clogs needed to be dried for a few weeks before being sanded and polished or painted.
Later this afternoon we got the chance to visit the Anne Frank Museum, which I felt was a truly special opportunity and a valuable experience for our last day in Amsterdam.
Before dinner tonight, where I would get to speak with many Pitt alum who have moved to the Netherlands for work or school, I got a jacket from a second hand seller in the Waterloopein market. I haven’t had the chance to haggle over prices before but I feel like I got myself a good deal on a leather jacket, or at least a better price than I’ve seen in the US, even after converting the currency. If you find yourself in the area I would recommend seeking out “the leather-man”, he was so helpful with recommending colors and gave a lot of suggestions to find a well fitting jacket.
After the alumni dinner I’m now excited to get to Rotterdam where I learned about electrolysis startups that are working on using renewably generated electricity to obtain hydrogen gas as a way to store energy outside of batteries.