The Dutch Way: Walkable Cities for Simplified Living | American Living in the Netherlands
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video, I take you on a short walk just a few steps from my Haarlem house to explore the beauty and convenience of living in a walkable place like the Netherlands.
From local shops to scenic spots, everything is within walking distance, making daily life so much easier and enjoyable. As Hippocrates once said, "Walking is a man's best medicine," and I couldn’t agree more-there’s something truly refreshing about stepping outside, getting some fresh air, and enjoying the world around you on foot. This is just another reason why life in the Netherlands is so good for the soul. The ease of walking and the sense of connection with nature and your community really contributes to our overall happiness.
Join me for this stroll and see why walking is the best way to experience life!
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#walking #netherlands #expatlife
The story about Napoleon’s brother is a fascinating one. Napoleon sent hs brother to be the king of the Netherlands and to rule with an iron fist because this area was difficult to control in a lot of ways. But Louis Napoleon, the new Dutch king, had a different temperament than his brother. He was genuinely interested in the area and traveled all through the Netherlands to hear about the concerns and issues of the people. He learned the language and implemented all kinds of legislation that benefited the Dutch to this very day. He seemed to feel very at home here and strangely enough became kind of popular. He got in trouble bcause of this, with his brother, the emperor of course. And sadly is also costed him his marital happiness because his wife was very homesick and felt out of place. She returned to the French emperor’s court where she felt at home. After only a few years Napoleon called his brother back to France. But in those few years Louis Napoleon had a very good influence on Dutch society.
Dank je wel Connie, dat wist ik niet.
@@ConnieIsMijnNaam Thank you, Connie, for providing some context and background about Louis Napoleon, who obviously felt a special connection to the country that he called home (and briefly ruled). It is a privilege to live in a city with such historic relevance. This city is steeped in history, and it is visible at every turn. Thank you for watching my video(s) and thank you for taking the time to leave such informative comments. 😊
uhm. Continentaal stelsel? Heeft diepe armoe gebracht. En we moesten Napoleon's leger mede betalen. Dat heeft ook Nederland geen goed gedaan. Niet een té eenzijdig beeld scheppen.
@@Omaivo2904 Ik ook niet en ik woon in Haarlem.
Wow interesante info Connie, dit heb ik nooit geweten.
Great to see the way you adapted to our country. You are right we are blessed to be here.
@@sjakrijnen Thank you so much. I am grateful every day I wake up in this wonderful country. 🇳🇱 Thank you for watching my video. 😊
WOW. How did you manage to record in the only hour of sunshine we got this year?
Props to you sir.
@@justmandy6572 🤣 😆 😂 I had to act fast, Mandy. I grabbed my camera and dashed outside. It was a “now or never” moment. I’m so glad I documented that day…to prove that there is a sun up there, somewhere. ☀️
'feeding the soul'
I like foreigners that make videos about my country. Because they open my eyes for things I take for granted. Although, it's not much different in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany or France.
@@hardyvonwinterstein5445 Thank you, Herbert. I appreciate your good words. 😊
Thank you for the video! You just inspired me to go outside and take a stroll myself. A watery sun just came out, so it’s time to seize the moment! Greetings from Gouda.
17:37 A wonderful pearl of wisdom, by the way! Gives me something to think about during that stroll.
@@remconoordermeer7015 Thank you, Remco. I’m glad that you enjoyed the video and that it inspired you to seize the moment and take a stroll. Hippocrates said “walking is man’s best medicine”.
Thank you again for taking the time to leave such an encouraging comment. 😊
First time watching one of your videos. Loved the walk-and-talk pace, the topic of walking, and the views of houses and park landscape. Knew from the first view of the houses that is was Haarlem! Born and raised there 😀
By the way De Haarlemmer Hout could be much older, as part of 'holtland' or 'holdland' (holt = hout), a primeval forest (oerbos) that growed on old beach ridges (strandwallen) from The Hague (Het Haagse Bos) to Alkmaar. The first settlements were also made on higher ground.
And Holtland, hence the name of het former Gewest Holland and the current provinces North and South Holland.
@@digidigiland Thank you so much for watching my video and taking the time to comment. How blessed you are to be born and raised in charming Haarlem. 😊 I’m sure you remember, as I do, the smell of cocoa from the old Droste fabriek wafting through the streets. To me, there is nothing more magical than a city that smells of chocolate!
Thanks for providing a bit of background about the primeval Haarlemmerhout. You have further elevated a place that I already hold in such high regard. ❤️
We are so blessed to live here.💜
@@rogerdepuysseleire45 So true, Roger. It is a privilege and a pleasure to call the Netherlands home. 🏡
Thank you Mike for this very pleasant stroll. The nice weather helped a lot :)
@@Omaivo2904 Thank you, Inge. I enjoyed the walk and, yes, the weather! Spectacular! ❤️
Ahhh Mike, what a breath of fresh air! 🎉 Thank you so much for this walk and talk. 🎉 I love this and hope you will do more of these types of videos when you are able to. What a glorious day 🌞 too. For sure, I will come back to this one and watch it again and again . ❤ Have a wonderful day, Mike. ❤
@@kristiina-f9h Hi there Kristiina. I’m so glad you enjoyed the outing, I did, too. 😊 It was such a spectacular day. ☀️ I want to more videos like this, including excursion in the city itself. I also plan to return to this video on grey days so I can get another glimpse of that gorgeous blue sky. Thanks, as always, for your encouraging words. ❤️
Simple things that are free can be the most valuable.
@@ericavangerven9550 So true, Erica. ❤️ Thank you for watching. 😊
Thank you very much.
Nice video..
@@aquarius42 Thank you, Margo. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
I really loved to go on a walk with you, Mike! TodayI saw the first crocus of this year and the daffodils are coming up! You really should check out on maps where I live: Rozendaal in Leusden. The houses are (in my opinion) butt-ugly but wonderful to live in but the best of all is the park surrounding them, with a semi-private swimming pool and a tennis court. And wait for this: everything is being maintained by the people who live in "deze wijk" and who participate in the management of "de groenstichting". It creates a wonderful feeling of community and pride in our achievements keeping everything shipshape. We live here now for 30 years and they can carry me out "tussen zes plankjes"😄 Have a wonderful weekend, Mike! I thoroughly enjoyed this video ❤
@@sophiesmeenk1076 Thank you so much, Sophie. Your neighborhood sounds so welcoming. I will certainly look it up. I am not surprised that you are happy to live in such a communal place. That is hard to come by these days.
I am glad that you could join me on my walk. I hope to get out and about more as the weather improves. ☀️
Thank you again for your always encouraging words. ❤️
I know that part of Leusden, my aunt, uncle and niece lived there, at Bohemen, for about 50 years. Since my aunt and uncle have passed away their house is sold last year. It was very innovative, hard to like, but when you are there is nice and secluded. My niece went swimming in that pool and became a swimming-instructor later in life.
@@Omaivo2904 I live at Calabrië since 1996. When at first we came to check out the neighbourhood and address it was a dreary November day and we both thought: what a moonscape! This isn't it! But when we drove back through the gloom and I could look into some of the kitchens and living rooms on the first floor, I said: let's check out this house on Monday (we had an appointment to view). Monday was sunny, we heard the story, and the house was sold. We never, ever regretted it. Houses are still butt-ugly, but wonderful to live in. So is the neighbourhood. ❤️
I remember when I was in Boulder, Colorado the place gave me a the feeling of being at home. I believe Boulder has made it a point to make things reachable on foot. At least in the center of town. In other places in the US, I was surprised I couldn't get away from the mall without a car. And even banks have drive-throughs! Weirdness.
@@TheHighlander71 I hear so many great things about Colorado. It is encouraging to think that some places in the States are reconsidering their urban planning. Human-scale, walkable cities are what is needed. I do find the whole drive-through culture alienating and, yes, weird. Bad for the body and bad for the brain.
The building you mentioned is the ‘De Dreef’ Provinciehuis Noord Holland, a governmental building. I’m happy that you appreciate our city Haarlem as much as I do.
@@NL-001 I do love Haarlem. ❤️ Haarlem spoke to me from the first day I set foot here so many moons ago. It is a magical city with a distinctive charm. I feel so privileged to live here. 😊
Love the beautifull old trees.
@@Ilske Yes! Me, too, Ilse. They are so grand and dramatic. Breathtaking beauties! ❤️ 🌳 Thanks for watching! 😃
Great video Mike, highlighting the joys of walkability in the city. I've lived all my life in Haarlem (55 years) and now live about a kilometer from your area on the other side of the river. I've been in the Haarlemmerhout countless times and apparently it's even older than you mention; in Dutch wiki it dates back to 1392.
@@DecibelDr Thank you so much. How fortunate you are to have lived in Haarlem your whole life. We are lucky ducks! Or should I say lucky muggen?🦟 😊 Wow…the Haarlemmerhout is unimaginably old. 1392! One hundred years before Columbus arrived in the “New World”. Thank you for sharing that incredible fact. ❤️
Do you guys not ever bump into each other in Haarlem? Its only 150,000 people. You know what Mike looks like so say "Hi" @DecibelDr , if you ever bump into him :)
@@jacemc9852
So far I haven't met Mike yet in Haarlem but that is also because I only know his channel for a few months. We may have passed each other in the past without even knowing. Anyway, I'll say hi if I spot him but Haarlem and surroundings is still a lot of people and a busy place and I'm terrible at recognizing faces so it may never happen. It would be fun if it happens though!
@@jacemc9852 Yes, as @DecibelDr says, 150,000+ people is still a lot of folks and, indeed, I only put myself out there on YT a couple months ago. Besides, sometimes I’m incognito, e.g. wearing glasses. 🤓
Having said that, I did have someone stop me on the street a week or so ago and say, “hey, I love your videos”. Very sweet. 😊
Hey Mike goeiemorgen,
First of all, the editing in this one is really good, it's smooth and I personally really like the music you added.
And yes we're pretty high on the happiness index and I think it's because of the freedom of movement we have, even as young children which is good for the development of the kids and also parents don't have to be helicopter parents.
Plus do you notice how quiet it is in your video, so serene, because so many of us cycle and cars are further removed from city centers so it's all about pedestrians and cyclists.
So good to hear that you're so content here Mike, and no after 22 years you're no longer a visitor, you're one of us now.. 😉
Enjoy your weekend with your hubby. 😊🌷
@@BabzV Howdy Babs! 👋
Thank you for tuning in, as always, and thank you for your good words about the editing and the music. When I look back at my first video (just a couple months ago), I am encouraged by my development. I hope to keep getting better.
You make a good point about how quiet it is. Over the years, Haarlem has made great efforts to “pedestrianize” the centrum, and it has become such a livable city.
True, too, what you say about me being a visitor. After 22 years, I’m no longer a tourist, no longer an expat. “One of us”. So sweet of you to say, Babs. That is very touching. Thank you. 🙏
Have a great weekend in lovely Limburg. 😊
Hi Mike, as you know I live in Antwerp/Belgium and we have some beautiful parks where we can go for a walk, but every district and even the city center is walkable as well. Watching your video’s makes me even more aware of how lucky we are to live here. The grass is not greener on the other side of the ocean. 😉💕
@@Annemie43 You know how much I love Antwerp, Annemie…and other places in Belgium, such as lovely Leuven. ❤️ We are very fortunate, indeed, to live where we do. And, you are right, the grass is not greener on the other side. 😃
Oh My God Mike, those steep stair cases are the one thing that I do not miss about Dutch homes. Over the 6 years that I was there, I lived in 2 different houses, one was 3 levels, the other only 2, but the stairs in both were CrAzY to navigate, narrow and nearly vertical.😆
Thanks for the visual reminder😉
@@Boxer309 So true what you say about the steep Dutch steps! I had to laugh! 😂 I’ve grown so accustomed to them. American staircases would seem downright palatial to me now, I’m sure.
They do make for dramatic footage…in every sense of the word! 😃
@you had me in stitches there. A video about walkability in the Netherlands, starting with ‘Dutch mountain’ the stairs in old houses. 😂
@@StrawberryHills211 Haha, indeed. I’m glad that you picked up on that subtle irony. 😊 A “Dutch mountain”, indeed. I can picture someone performing a comedy sketch on such a set of stairs, complete with mountain climbing hooks and ropes, etc.
@@BetterTogether-UnIr1 my kind of humour 😄
Great video Mike, keep it going !
@@spilln01 Thank you, John. I appreciate your encouraging words. 😊
Whenever I bring friends to Haarlem I love to show them the hidden courtyards that are open to the public, but mostly hidden from most of the public.
@@freudsigmund72 Ah, yes, the wonderful hofjes. One of Haarlem’s many highlights. ❤️
Great video Mike!
@@mariadebake5483 Thank you so much, Maria. It was good to “see” you at the premiere! And one of these days, I’m going to check out those dunes (and forest), which sound truly beautiful. 😊
A whole new dimension to your already great videos Mike. I live in a very walkable town 70 odd miles southeast of Haarlem. I can walk to whatever I need in a two mile radius. Three to four times a week I walk to my local Ekoplaza to fill up my backpack, one mile each way. Soon I won't have to commute to work anymore but I won't give up my trusted old Camry, the joy of driving. I doesn't cost that much and needs little maintainance. My parents never drove but I made up for that in my 38 year carreer on the road. I became an avid walker after a fractured right ancle back in 2010, the surgeon who fixed it suggested it. Great, you notice so much more on foot. Love the wallpaper in your halway 😊
@@gertpittsfort Thank you, Gert. You know, I thought you might like that wallpaper with your modernist eye. 😉 The paper is designed by Arte.
You sure did make up for the lack of parental kilometers! 😂 Have you ever calculated how many kilometers you’ve covered by bus? I bet if you added it up, you’ve been around the world at least once! 🌎
Walking is a wonderful means of transportation. As you said, you see the world differently on foot. But don’t get me wrong. I can appreciate the value of a car for longer commutes or pleasure trips, etc. Your “old reliable” has been good to you for many years. She’s part of the family by now. 😊 🚙
@BetterTogether-UnIr1 As a matter of fact I recently woked out how many kilometers I got under my belt driving the bus: roughly one million, just over 600,000 miles. That is several trips around the globe. It's been fun and slowly but surely I am warming to letting it go 🤠🚍
@ Wow, Gert! That is extraordinary! Incredible to think about. About a million kilometers. Damn! Hat’s off to you, my good man! There is no doubt in my mind that you have many great adventures ahead…on foot, by bike and by Camry! 😃
@@BetterTogether-UnIr1 And that's not all Mike, nine motorcycles between 1983 and 2022, various makes and models. Ever since I was a toddler I have been fascinated by anything that had wheels and an internal combustion engine. I never grew up and that's fine with me 😁🫡
@ That’s cool, Gert. Growing up is overrated. Let’s keep our child-like enthusiasm and spark for life. It will keep us young!
I never had a motorcycle but did have a three-wheel all-terrain vehicle when I was a kid. It was a blast! The kind of thing they probably wouldn’t allow now. Those were the days (mid-70s). 😃
another great video. I live 2-3 miles from everything I need..groceries, pharmacy, work, doctor, hospital, and dentist but its just not safe to walk or ride a bike
@@Heartburn1220 Thank you so much for watching with me. ❤️ Yes, indeed, the U.S. isn’t designed for easy/safe walking and cycling.
I very much enjoyed that lovely walk in the park (virtually) together with you. It is said that Napoleon's soldiers carved their initials in those trees, and did you know that the sculptures that you passed - somewhere halfway through your video - go by the name of "Camera Obscura"? The place you mentioned where Napoleon's brother Louis had lived is called "Villa Welgelegen", and I think it's quite an apt name for this beautiful building of neoclassical architechture, much like the White House in Washington DC or the Helsinki Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland in terms of style. Thanks for sharing your thoughts while strolling through such beautiful surroundings. Have a great weekend!
@@musicfromtheheart100 Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed the walk in the park. What spectacular weather we had that day! It is extraordinary to think of how much history that woods has witnessed. Another viewer noted that the Haarlemmerhout dates to 1392. Extraordinary!
Thanks for providing the details about the sculptures (which I know are based on a story by Hildebrand/Nicolaas Beets) and Villa Welgelegen, which is an apt name, I agree.
Thanks again for joining me on my walk. 😊
Was a great video 👍❤
@@MartinWebNatures Thanks so much, Martin. I’m glad you liked it and am happy that you could join me during the premiere. 😊
Thanks Mike for this lovely video, I really enjoyed it, and I hope you will do more outside videos, thank you!😊👋
Btw, you mentioned once that you are an cardinal sign, capricorn, i am too, Cancerian...
@@Lilygirl283 Thank you, Lilygirl. It’s so good to get out and about. I plan to do more such videos in the future as we move into spring and summer. ☀️
As you well know, Cancer and Capricorn are complementary signs sitting at opposite sides of the zodiac wheel. I read that Cancer “is very perceptive and caring, while Capricorn is very practical and has a lot of drive. Cancer and Capricorn are compatible because both the signs have immense respect for each other and their strengths.” 🦀 🐐
Very true Mike, i have known that for awhile, I have always been very interested in Astrology, I find it very interesting, my rising sign is Aquarius and my moon sign is gemini, funny, because I don't seem to get along with either of them😂, my son is a gemini, and both my grandsons are as well, but I love them! My favourite people are water and earth signs...@BetterTogether-UnIr1
Love the car-free, care-free....😊
You have such a lovely house...childhood dream😇.
But where would you park your car?
Exactly right: rent a car when you want to go for a vacation or a visit and you do not feel like going by public transport...
Nothing better dan cycling or walking and feeling like you are part of the world...and not a sardine in a tin/can with no real contact with the world.
Although...I did enjoy driving with my favorite music on (bit too loud 😂), just going places (car borrowed from family) from time to time...
The day you filmed this...I think half of the Dutch population was out: soaking up the sunlight after a very dark december and most of januari.
It was nice walking with you 😊...
@@annemieke186 Thank you, Annemieke. ❤️ I confess, I thought the car-free/care-free line was pretty clever. And it was spontaneous. 😊
Thank you for your kind words about my house. I do love old Dutch houses. 🏘️
You’re right about parking, which has become all but impossible in the city. I am glad that I don’t have to think about that.
I agree that half of the Netherlands was outside on that glorious day. This is a Dutch tendency I have embraced. With the first sign of sun, get outside and soak it up. You never know when you’ll see it again. 😂
I’m so glad you could join me on my walk. We’ll do it again sometime soon.
The Dutch love the “simple life”
@@mennovroom5537 Yes. There is a lot to learn from their excellent example. A simple life is a good life. 😊 Thanks for watching, Menno.
"Mijlenver verwijderd" is perfectly normal Dutch expression afaik.
@@jodocusonbenul Ah, good to know. It certainly sounds better to my ear. 👍 Thanks for the comment.
Nice walk, love the crispy cold and sunny weather. Nearly the same for me, 10 min walk to two different nature areas, 30 min walk (or 10 min by bike, usually) to the nearest town with all shops I need. I don't have a car, I even don't have a license for driving one. Have got a motorbike license though, but don't have a motorbike at the moment, only 10 min to work by bike.
For groceries it's only a 4 min walk. If I have more than I can carry, I take the cart home to unload it on the spot.
Did I already mention I love walking and cycling? I probably did, but yes, I do. Couldn't live without it.
And you're right, Utopia is nowhere. I love my little odd country, only other places I probably would feel happy are the Nordics.
@@AbeIJnst Thank you, Abe. We are clearly kindred spirits. What a privilege it is to be able to walk (or cycle) to all that we need. It simplifies life and improves our physical and mental well-being.
Interesting that you mention the Nordics. My paternal great grandfather emigrated from Norway to the United States in the 1870s. In some ways, I feel that my move to the Netherlands is my ancestry coming back “home”. 😃
I really enjoyed your observations and the mellifluous voice :) ! But I wonder when was the last time you visited the USA . Just to have a better understanding !
@@MrSinsummer Thank you so much. Very nice of you to say. 🙏 I was last in the U.S. two years ago. I try not to make a habit of it. 😂
Love the sky behind you, some blues mixing with the branches into purple.
About Lodewijk Napoleon, he bought the Paviljon from an American. I find that funny.
@@margreetdoodeman1441 Thank you, Margreet. The sky was spectacular that day! A painter’s sky! On grey days like today, I rewatch the video to remind me how beautiful it can be here. I love the Dutch skies and their low-hanging clouds.
I did not know that the Paviljon was sold by an American. How extraordinary! Thank you for sharing that. I really do learn something new every day. 😊
@BetterTogether-UnIr1 about the sky, later i thought of Cezanne. First painting i saw then was a tree with purple in it. Will ever remember, i found it weird. Just could not look properly.
And his name was Hope. I thought it was strange that LN lived there since he also made a palace of the town hall of Amsterdam, the building on Dam Square. It remained a palace since.
Something business: i do not get a notification, is that something you install? And: the like button did not work. I must say youtube has a lot of wrongs, but that is especially when i use shorts.
@ Truth is stranger than fiction. If i penned a story about an American named Hope selling a palace to the brother of Napoleon, most editors would dismiss it as entirely unbelievable. 😂 I love such facts. Thank you for sharing them.
I’ve heard about the like button not working. Not to worry. If you liked the video, as in…you enjoyed it…then my work is done. 😊
@BetterTogether-UnIr1 at the same time fiction might make you understand reality better. I like that contradiction.
@@margreetdoodeman1441 So true, Margreet. 👍 Many profound truths are conveyed through fiction.
Mooie video., dank je wel. Ik geniet er steeds van . Wil je attenderen op iets. In het het Rijksmuseum is van 7 febr tot 9 juni een expositie American Photografy.
@@JokeVanWeess-t5r Bedankt, Joke! ❤️ Thank you for letting me know about the 📷 exhibition in Amsterdam. I have friends visiting from the U.S. in April, and this would be an excellent reason (among others, of course) to visit the Rijksmuseum. 👍
Really great area to walk Mike. I walk every day sometimes 7.000 steps but also 15.000 or 20.000 steps depending on my mood. I used to do a lot of running but it seems that you lose more fat easily like the way you do 🙂
@@RickLane-x4j Hippocrates said “walking is man’s best medicine”. Good for mind and body.🚶♂️ 👍
@ Was he hippocryte's dad? Lol Joking.
@ 🤣 You are in rare form this evening!
@ I am crazy son 🙂
@ Now, that I knew. Crazy as a loon! Love it!
It has been a while since I have been in Haarlem, I might visit it sometime soon again as it is a beatuful city with a lot of history.
Btw, you are not continuing the alphabet favorites? You know... G for Gratis, L for lol etc etc.... ??
@@mavadelo Haarlem is such a splendid city with so many restaurants, shops and museums.
The next installment of my alphabet favorites will be released on Sunday…with more to follow. 😊
Wellicht kun je Itz Sky eens bekijken op You Tube. Hij is Amerikaan en woont sinds 4 jaar met zijn vrouw en kinderen in Haarlem. Ook zij vinden het hier fantastisch. Je krijgt hem met geen 10 paarden terug naar Amerika.
Btw leuke video weer! 👍
@@loessturkenboom7575 Thank you, Loes. I appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment. 😊
I’ve seen some of Sky’s videos. It’s nice to see that a fellow American has discovered charming Haarlem.
The West Europian Riviera...! 🤗
@@aorta538 Thanks for watching. ❤️
@@BetterTogether-UnIr1 groetjes Noordwijk aan Zee 😎
@@aorta538 Noordwijk aan Zee is lovely…so upscale…love it! 😊
The palace of Napleon is now the seat of the government of the province of North-Holland.
@@ronaldderooij1774 Yes, that is true, Ronald. The entire complex is quite elegant. I particularly like the modern glass structure in the rear, which does not dominate but rather complements the existing structures.
Living upstairs made me pay more attention (did I turn off the light/stove?), and less forgetfull, having to go back upstairs because you've forgotten your house keys again makes you so. 😅
@AnAnema That is so true. When I first moved from the benedenwoning to the bovenwoning, I was going crazy. I’ve become very pragmatic and now go through a mental checklist before descending the stairs lest I forget something on the upper floor. 😃
Those steep steps and you descending them on your socks. That is something I do not do. Please take a look at Falke Cosyshoe Men slippers, a low and high version and in 4 low, 6 high colours. Really don't want you to fall down them... 😊
I didn't notice until mentioned but excellent point! I completely agree! Walking those stairs on just socks definitely a habit to break there, Mike! The habit that is! Not your, well... Really! Just went back to check; it's actually worse than I thought a minute ago! You have no rails! Nothing to grab onto if/when you slip... That's ridiculous Mike! In a video about how you enjoy walking (or was that the other one...) Anyway as a Dutch guy same age as you Mike! Stop walking those on your socks and get some kind of railing! Please! For your own good and for the joy of being able to walk... Taking risks like that... all that (joy of/ability to walk and your healthy calves) is a gift! Don't take it for granted! It can all be gone so very quickly.... just a few too many edits, sorry But I think I made my point, now listening to your challenge.... maybe spend some etime in USA.... yeah yeah, health and safety.... Too many edits already, one last time! Think about those stairs Mike, please! That's a serious health hazard you have there!
@@paulc8799 Thanks for the tip, Paul! There is a railing on the other wall…out of view. And usually, I’m in a pair of Danish slippers with leather soles for traction. But…oops…nothing gets past your eagle eyes! 👍
@@yaldenskigaming5371 Thanks for the feedback. As I mentioned to Paul, there is a railing out of view on the opposite wall. But I promise to be more mindful because, I agree, I do not wish to take for granted the gift of mobility, which is precious. 👍
@ I've been there done it (forgot I was on socks and slipped) too many times myself. Fortunately nothing worse than a few bruised b-cheecks so far and I think my stairs are dangerous, yours are much worse! Anyway, I'll stop repeating myself now. It's your bones and your responsibility... Good night!
@@yaldenskigaming5371 I do appreciate the word of caution…really. I will make a habit of holding on to the handrail whenever ascending/descending those stairs. Promise. 😃
American? Which country are you from?
I’m from the United States.
Must see Groningen the capital of the world, even GOD was a Groninger
@@jankokoens1838 I love Groningen, Janko. ❤️ Such a vibrant city with many students. I have enjoyed my times in that marvelous city.
Again nr: 1 lol.
@@RickLane-x4j You and Johnny Cash with your No. 1s… 😂
@@BetterTogether-UnIr1 Yeppers 🙂
I'm sure you know but I just want to iterate it again that non of the things you enjoy came out of thin air. The walkable city costed many children's lives and a ton of protests to get pedestrians and bikes first and cars last. Same as our healthcare system that is slowly going down the drain, gay rights, protection of workers etc. They all where fought for and still needs to be fought for to keep stupid politicians from doing more stupid things. Sure compared to the US that clearly is a Banan republic by now it's great but it's not being grateful, not indulge in our freedom and safety but constantly keep fighting for it so it can't be taken away.
@@ottot3221 Absolutely, Otto, I respect that the privileges we currently enjoy here were hard won and must be protected. Freedom and democracy are far more fragile than many may realize. We must not become complacent lest the freedoms we enjoy become slowly eroded before our very eyes. 👍
I don’t want to be political Mike, but when Trump wants us to buy more American cars, he doesn’t seem to understand that those huge trucks and SUV’s don’t fit in our cities with small streets and little squares
If you want to have a good laugh: Iwrocker is an American doing reaction videos. He is crazy about cars, including the big ones. He has a selection of American drivers in Europe, watched one yesterday and he was saying the exact same thing! Tiny little bridge in England and they are freaking out in an average European car...it was extremely funny...
@@j.vanderson6239 I agree. Every now and then, I see (and hear) an overgrown Dodge pickup truck blazing down the quaint cobblestone streets of Haarlem. 🛻 What a racket! I grew up in a land of pickup trucks fitted with gun racks.🙄 Ugh!
A whole new dimension to your already great videos Mike. I live in a very walkable town 70 odd miles southeast of Haarlem. I can walk to whatever I need in a two mile radius. Three to four times a week I walk to my local Ekoplaza to fill up my backpack, one mile each way. Soon I won't have to commute to work anymore but I won't give up my trusted old Camry, the joy of driving. I doesn't cost that much and needs little maintainance. My parents never drove but I made up for that in my 38 year carreer on the road. I became an avid walker after a fractured right ancle back in 2010, the surgeon who fixed it suggested it. Great, you notice so much more on foot. Love the wallpaper in your halway 😊