Netherlands: Sodom or home of something delicious?

So what many of you may not know yet, is that I live in a city called Aachen (you gotta make that loogie making sound again).  Or if you are from France, it is Aix la Chapelle (no idea how to pronounce that one… my French* accent is terrible).     Aachen, is located right next to the Netherlands.  And I make frequent trips there.  I probably go there 1 time a week on average. 

Now, I think we all know one thing that the Netherlands is known for: Ganja (weed).  Cause you can smoke weed there legally.  It's like a wise man once said, "You can't go to Amsterdam and not smoke weed, it's like going to Rome and not drinking wine**." 

But what else are they known for?  Amsterdam's red light district.  When I went to visit Amsterdam, of course we had to visit the red light district.  I was expecting something shady, back in the alleys somewhere out of sight, and we would have to watch our backs or pockets or something.  Aachen has a red light district that I would expect.  It is in an alley that you normally wouldn't take, and it is arguably shady.  My brother Tom (remember, the fluent German speaker from his time in Brazil) was walking back to the center of town and he and my dad got a bit lost, so they walked down this alley.  He was minding his own business, convinced he doesn't need a map (because he ain't no stinkin' tourist), and then a girl reached out and grabbed him, which caused him to yell and jump about 3 feet away (he is really jumpy***).  She tried to woo him into her quarters after giggling to herself, and Tom said "No thanks."  You see Tom doesn't need to buy it.  The ladies flock to him once he starts to dance (check out the video below5).  

My roommate showed me a map called "Europe According to the USA" and Netherlands was called "Sodom".  The red light district and legalized marijuana may be the reason for that stereotype…  (it's pretty accurate I think, haha, silly Americans) 

What else is the Netherlands known for?  They are really tall.  Germans are really tall.  I've learned this.  I see so many people taller than me, way taller.  And the Netherlands is filled even more of these giants.  Sure there are tall people in the US as well.  My boss was like 6'9"… but what was his ancestry?  German.  

I think they are also known for pancakes, Anne Frank, Van Gogh, the list goes on.

What is it that makes me go back there on a frequent basis?  It's a little something that I must admit I have become addicted to6.  It's called the Stroopwaffel.  Oh it's good.  They are so sweet, delicious, crispy, caramely, cinnamony wafers that I have come to so much enjoy.  I can't get enough of them.  Eat one with a cup of coffee and you got yourself a divine experience.  That's something that the Netherlands is NOT known for.  And it ought to be in my opinion!  So starting now, I'm going to spread the word on their behalf for their delicious stroopwaffels.  I think I can even smell them now as I write about them.  I'm seeking help…  But hey… at least I don't have a worse addiction… like gambling… Oh that reminds me… I still have to tell the story of losing 100 Euro in Paris.

Side Stories that may or may not be relevant to anything:

*When I lived in the US, I always thought, "Why would I ever learn French?  I don't know anyone who speaks French."  I even told that to a buddy of mine about Italian before I decided to come to Europe.  Now, I have visited France 3 times and a couple of my friends are always speaking Italian.

**Wanna know who said that?  Me…  although the wisdom of that statement is questionable at best.

***Me and my brothers, at the lake, used to make sure that we all went to bed before him.  So when he, being the good boy he is****, was brushing his teeth, like our mom (best dental hygienist in the world btw.) taught us to.  We would all hide in the dark in waiting like a flock of wolves.  And when he came out we would scream and scare him, and he would freak out so bad.  He would jump as high as a kangaroo and scream like a frightened monkey.  The rest of us found it hysterical :D.   

****mind you he is about 20 in this story, which puts the rest of us at in the range of 14 to 27 years old.   And I'm pretty sure this was either the youngest or the oldest's idea… I can't remember who's it was…

I'm switching to numbers... the asterisks are getting out of hand!

5

He really breaks it down in the next video.  In this video if you watch closely you can see that there is a couple that is making out.  Notice that the guy stops kissing his girl so that he can watch Tom dance, and she actually wants to kiss him!  But he's like, "No no, I need to watch this guy dance. 

6When I was in the US, I also had an addiction.  It was called Juano's burritos and Romo's taco plates.  Oh how much I would give for a delicious Mexican burrito or taco.  Alas, I live so far from you, my former neighbor to the south.  How I long for the succulent Mexican burrito.  You can find me at these joints when I'm back in the US.  Or at least you could... but I just found out that Juano's is closing 3 days before I go back to the US!!!!  I am almost to tears as I write this.