Day 26 Oosterbeek, Netherlands - History and Heat

Joan's View

Last night was actually comfortable. We made a major discovery of a screen in the small bedroom window. That is a rare for our stays on this trip. While we were lying there with little air movement, I suggested to Tony that maybe we could buy a small fan tomorrow. He decided to text our host right then and shortly after she came to our cabin door with a fan. Wow! Five stars for her! That changed everything and Tony was able to sleep.

We walked to mass at the church down the street. The church was also quite beautiful. The priest must have thought we or someone else in attendance needed direction because he had a 23-minute homily. That's long however you look at it, understanding the language or not.

After mass fellowship in the church foyer.

Upon leaving mass, they had tables and chairs for snacks and a gathering. We were invited by a kind lady, but we passed so that we could find the bakery.

We found the only bakery open on Sundays in Oosterbeek, called "Douze No 12." Most businesses are closed on Sunday, but the Douze bakery was open until noon. While our pastry options were limited, the owner, whose last name is Van Gogh, also makes chocolates. The artful chocolates he calls Picasso chocolates. I tried a tiramisu and an apple liquor chocolate, while Tony went for caramels.

Van Gogh packing our selections.

Picasso chocolates

We went back to our cabin for a short stretch before heading to the Airborne Museum at Hartenstein. One floor of the museum engulfed you into the war experience. You walked onto a plane that parachuted you into the war. Very thought provoking. 

Oosterbeek was critical to the Allies in Operation Market Garden during WWII. Hartenstein began as a large mansion turned command center for the Nazis, then the British Airborne, then went back into Nazi hands until Netherlands was liberated at the end of the war. When the Nazis retook Oosterbeek, they forced all civilians to leave. Some only had bicycles and took what they could carry on a bicycle. The town was virtually destroyed by Germans looting it and then during the Battle of Arnham. The Allies were defeated at the Battle of Arnham with great loss of life on both sides. In remembrance of this huge battle, there is an annual commemorative event every first Saturday in September. Our host suggested that we come to Oosterbeek last weekend, but the bike route just pedaled out differently.

The paratroopers coming in around us.

A German officer was shot in his helmet.

Decorated war hero A. Wolters. Kind of looks like Nick?

On the flight to our drop zone.

We walked back on a garden path outside the museum with war remains in several spots.

One final thought for today. Look how the clever Dutch elevate the walkers from the bike lanes. That's how they keep the rookie Americans from wandering into the bike lane. 😀

P.S. Happy Birthday Mom! 😍 Glad you're out celebrating today!

Tony's Extras

Today at Mass was our 4th language we experienced at mass on this trip. 

When we were in the attack experience where we were dropped out of the airplane, it was very eerie. There was one place as you walked through, the bullets were flying like a snipper, and it sounded like it was piercing steel. Joan and I looked at each other and said, "that would be freaky." Holy crap, I almost hit the ground; you could imagine if it was real. Thank God, I didn't have to experience it.

With the heat, I am enjoying the hot tub, not in it, but being wet when I get out. How small things make me smile.  

It is nice to kick back and eat our potato salad sandwiches. I thought I was getting egg salad, Oops, misunderstood Dutch language, even with Google Translate App. Even the grocery store is an adventure. 🤣🤣🤣