Edam 1

From Marken we drove on to Edam, back on the mainland, so to speak. It is another pretty little Dutch town that will require more than one post. And here began our education in Cheese 101.

En route to Edam

Cheese on the hoof; the reason Nederland produces so much
cheese is that the (un-reclaimed) peaty soils will grow nothing
much but grass; the reclaimed sandy soil, suitably enriched,
grows crops; so we were told

Nave view of Edam's Grote Kerk, 16th century, renovated by
Protestants

Demographers say that religion will be extinct in northern
Europe in another generation, and here you can see that
prediction in action...fully 1/4 of the church is charity-shop
bookstores and clothing; the entire choir and chancel is an
art gallery; it was unclear to me whether services occur here
at all...

Crossing ceiling, apparently original,, including cat-walks

Nice windows, early 1600s, mostly historical
images, since (these) Protestants didn't like
religious images and icons

Thus

And thus

Beautiful organ, usual for these parts

Canal scene, a few blocks from the centrum

Bronze cheese carriers...the next day, in Alkmaar, this image
will be burned indelibly onto our retinas...in living color, too;
and in English...

A theme slowly emerges

Cheesy canal scene with carillon in background