Dutch Hospitality : It should be noted that the first 3 out of 5 nights in The Netherlands were hosted by complete strangers and that hospitality continued to manifest itself into the following days in the form of Chinese buffet dinners, bottles of red wine or beer and German bread rolls. While riding, every hour we seemingly bump into a fellow bicyclist or pedestrian who enthusiastically helps give direction. Perhaps the most amusing suprise of Dutch hospitality came in the mornings while wrapping up our campsites and discussing the prospect of warm coffee. On two occassions just as the words 'Oh man, I cant wait to have a coffee', left our mouth, a Dutchman appeared from an ajoining campsite asking, 'Would you guys like a coffee?!' The offering was a form of engagement between the curious Dutchman and two weary travelers. We are drawn into conversation, entering each other's lives for a moment in a way that would not be possible without both sides making the effort to be there that moment. Pictured here with us is Camiel, who after seeing us take a wrong turn down her dead-end street in Zeewolde, invited us to join her and cat Bengi (nicknamed Benign Ginger) for the evening. 
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