Alkmaar Without Cheese

So after the museum we strolled a bit around the largely pedestrianized old town, much of it dating to the 17th century. Not pictured: buying a cheese sampler plate. It was to be a day of street food.

Me, downing some Dutch sushi (pickled herring. with onions
and pickle)

Really nice bicycle in a wine bar

Street scene

Time for a frites-fix, so we stopped here

And then, just outside the great church, Olie Bollen! Deep-fried spheres of dough,
filled with fruit, chocolate, whatever; we had not seen Olie Bollen since the 1967
Leon County Fair, in Tallahassee, FL; more street food!

Centrum signage: rather more for bicycles than pedestrians

We now think that "Eten en Drinken" might be a chain

Moving right along, we are in Alkmaar's
Grote Kerk, another ex-Roman church that is
now excitingly stark; the timber barrel roof is
of interest, however

As is the great organ

As is this, a clock, high up on the ceiling right at the crossing; evidently so you
could check the time while raising your eyes toward the heavens

View from crossing to bow, elevation

Helpful model

Library, on city square

Poetry on alley walls

Outdoor bookstore in boxes

Impressive contemporary architecture too (so why wasn't it
shaped like a round of gouda?)