What's So Gouda About Alkmaar?, Alkmaar, Netherlands (B)

Well here we are, already into December. Time to start putting up the Christmas tree, hanging up the lights, and buying gifts for loved ones. You know what makes a really nice gift? Cheese.

On our most recent visit to Amsterdam, we decided to get out of the city and visit a new town. Luckily I had done some research beforehand, so I knew exactly where I wanted to go.

“Oh, they have historic buildings, cobblestone-lined streets, and a few museums,” I replied vaguely. Which basically described every village, town and city in Europe.

“Ugh,” he sighed. We were at the tail-end of our trip, and frankly, we were museumed-out. And my description clearly wasn’t selling it. But I didn’t want to admit why I really wanted to go, either. Still, Mark was unconvinced that this little town would offer anything unique or interesting, so I finally fessed up to the truth.

Every Friday, Alkmaar has a cheese market. And it just so *happened* to be a Friday. www.kaasmarkt.nl/

Even with this new information revealed, Mark remained skeptical that Alkmaar was going to be anything other than another quaint but indistinct town. But, accommodating husband that he is, he wisely decided to indulge my cheese obsession, albeit with a sigh and a shake of his head. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).