jan takes me on a tour of some beautiful northern dutch villages. our first stop is giethoorn, a completely captivating little lake town built on a series of canals. although it's a tourist town in the summertime, there are many year-round residents, whose homes are built adjacent to the canals. there is no driving here; tenants must park a good distance away and walk or bike to their thatched-roof homes via footpaths along the canals. it's a gorgeous and peaceful place, though jan tells me that during the summer the german tourists overrun the town, and the canals are jammed with little canoes.

we also visit the small town of blokzijl, formerly a seaport and peppered with 17-century houses, leaning with age. very very cute.

my time with jan was very very relaxing, and he was an excellent tour guide. before i leave to head back south to frank in scheveningen, he takes me on a walk in an absolutely gorgeous forest near his home in Eesveen. there is a most striking path lined with *HUGE* conifers that takes my breath away.

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