Zwolle Favorites

Favorite thing: Hang out with Simone and Jacob, preferably drinking mass quantities of Grolsch!

Fondest memory: The train ride from Dusseldorf to Zwolle was not long enough. I could have done with an overnight train with a sleeper, but it was a short trip and I even had to change one time so there was not any time for even a short nap. It had been a rough three days, drinking world classic beers in three different cities on three consecutive days, but duty was calling and though I arrived half-baked, it was obvious I was in for another big session. Jacob & Simone were waiting at the station and seemed to be directly outside the compartment door as I stepped out, my huge backpack swaying and a small five liter keg of Rauchbier dangling from my left hand. I was happy to not have to do any thinking and let my welcoming hosts whisk me back to their house for a quick lunch before going to Grolsch for the brewery tour. The tour was in Dutch but Simone soon took me off on my own private one which had us on the roof overlooking the surrounding area and seeing parts of the complex surely off limits to visitors...lol. We met up with the group in the pub for a round of tasting. I was surprised at their staple beer, a nicer example of a pilsner than I expected. The remaining beers were a little uneven but was very honored that the manager went into his cellar to pull out some seasonal beers that were not exactly in season, having even their spring beer (Meibock) in November. Of course, we loosened up as only you can do when beer is ample and free and soon were laughing as old friends. At the conclusion, we went back to their house so Simone could have a few as well as she was driving up to that point. Yes, how Jacob got this beautiful wife that drives him around while he drinks is beyond me. ;) Back at the house, we had take away Indonesian and consumed many beers that Simone had gotten from the brewery in my honor. We were up till 2:00 am and then Jacob and I were on VT until three, in different rooms. It was kind of funny to 'see' him online with him in just the next room. Woke up early the next morning to say goodbye to Simone, who was off to work. Jacob would later drive me to Haarlem to meet another VTer, Sandra. I hated to leave, our 24 hours had gone so fast, but it was time to say goodbye to some virtual friends that had quickly crossed over into real ones. I hope to see them again soon in their new home in Canada. Thanks guys, it was a blast.

Favorite thing: In Zwolle Christian girls are giggling all the time. Amazing fenomenon! When you go to nightclubs, they will keep staring at you. The girls I mean. The Zwolle newspaper Zwolse Courant writes about nothing. No fokking thing! It's a funny city, nothing ever happens there. But cheer up: the Zwollenaars are always drunk, and go to church on sundays. After which they disappear in the pubs, to get drunk again.

Fondest memory: Getting thrown out of a restaurant.

Favorite thing: A worldglobe in front of Six Flags. You can find it at the entrance/exit.

Fondest memory: It all remembered me of America... So nice to remember!!!!

Fondest memory: The view of my office in the centre of Zwolle.
Can you imagine how much I like to work here ?

'Janine'