Introducing the Dutch Cargo Bike

This makes total sense to me.  I hate driving, take my bike or public trans whenever I can.  But this grocery sherpa would so much rather use this cargo bike than strap on multiple backpacks or satchels to carry bags up from the grocery store.

bakfiets.nl

It's called a Dutch Cargo Bike or 'Bakfiets'.  We saw them all over the place last month in Brussels and Amsterdam, in the lands of Bikes First, Cars Second.  And I usually saw this:

Perfectly safe, helmetless happy riders taking a cart load of helmetless kids off to some other helmetless destination. Frankly, I'd be happier finding my way over to South End Formaggio for a week's worth of wine and cheese.....helmet or not.

Also, here's a link to a recent NYTimes article about how the Dutch have mastered the art of safe biking and fresh bread in Amsterdam.

Going Dutch (at the Beach)

  We've had unusually warm and sunny weather this trip.  Brussels is positively summer-like.  And so with that, we headed out to the beach last weekend.  Took the train up to Knokke-Heist, a small, resort-y stretch of beach, close to the Netherlands.

It was also like stepping back into time.  Very 70's, very blonde, very Charlie's Angels or Starsky and Hutch.  Loads of shorty-shorts, retro swimwear, and polyester or nylon.  Not unlike this.  I tried so hard to grab a couple of photos of these adorable little speedo-ed kids but it was hard.  Also, bordered on the very creepy.

We prepared for cold, dreary seaside weather.  It wasn't.

And the sea was warm.  We all went in, even rode some waves.  Dutch style.