Netherlands Redux

In our June 13, 2012 blog entry, we wrote about Phillipe and Suzanne, two young people from the Netherlands who were bicycling their way from New York City to Ottowa.  We really enjoyed talking with them.

We were happily surprised with an e-mail today from Suzanne, which reads in part:

"Back home, it seems like ages since we were cycling in the Catskills and the Adirondacks. We had a great trip. It took us 19 days to cycle the 700 miles from New York City to Ottawa. [Here is] a picture of us arriving at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

"We saw some beautiful wildlife (amongst which a Fisher Cat, apparently rare in the Adirondacks) and met many friendly people.

"After we arrived in Ottawa, we spent a week with Philippe's sister, relaxed and visited Philippe's relatives. After that we flew back to New York City. It was an amazing experience. Even though we live in the second largest city of the Netherlands, we felt like small town folks coming to the big city for the first time."

We're so jealous Phillipe and Suzanne saw a Fisher Cat!  They are indeed very shy and difficult to spot in the wild.

We think often about our young friends from the Netherlands.  The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when you have a chance to get to know people from other countries.  We know that Europeans don't always have the most positive image of Americans, but we hope that Phillipe and Suzanne's bicycle trip forged some ties here in America for them and their family, and also with Europe for the various people they met in the United States and Canada.

We wish you many happy and rewarding travels, Suzanne and Phillipe!