Our house in Alkmaar
Big Saint Laurence church in Alkmaar
Mill of Piet in Alkmaar
The dunes near Alkmaar
Polder landscape around Alkmaar
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House
We live in the North-West of the Netherlands in a city called Alkmaar.
Our house is located in a quiet area close to the city center and the railway
station. We share our house with some of our children and several students
from all over the world: we share ideas, activities and food.
Everyone has space to sleep in a simple room. Some people share rooms
and we sleep on futons: Japanese style cotton mattresses. A fresh macrobiotic
meal is prepared three times a day. Meals contain a mix of whole grains,
vegetables, beans, soups, sea vegetables and many other natural products.
The only animal product we use is fish, which we prepare once or twice
a week. We do not serve meat, eggs or dairy. Desserts are freshly prepared
from fruit and natural sweeteners like grain syrup or concentrated fruit
juices. Tea is our main drink, served without sugar, which is not present
in our kitchen at all.
Location
Alkmaar is an ancient city with a very special atmosphere. A stroll
along the canals with their characteristic drawbridges will take you past
numerous historical buildings with peaceful courtyards and old facades.
Traditional wooden shoes can be found within narrow shopping streets lined
with unique shops, and there is a famous cheese market in the city centre
every Friday that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Cinemas and
theatres offer a lively mix of arts and culture and there are plenty of
terraces on which to take an evening drink or a morning tea.
Stunning natural landscapes surround Alkmaar. The North Sea can be reached
within thirty minutes from our house by bicycle or bus: the coastline
boasts a wonderful beach and is backed by a natural reserve of dunes.
Ten minutes walk from our house is a small forest in the village of Heiloo
(holy wood), which is ideal for jogging, walking, or a picnic under the
trees. Around Alkmaar the typical Dutch polder landscape offers magnificent
panoramas of water, windmills and, of course, cattle. Traditional Dutch
farmhouses lie within large green meadows and visits to organic farms
to see how they grind wheat in a windmill that dates back to the middle
ages can be arranged. You can also experience sourdough bread baking in
the company of one of our suppliers. Whatever country you come from, Alkmaar
and its surroundings will provide you with a uniquely enjoyable experience.
A medium sized city, Alkmaar is located 40 km north of Amsterdam: you
can reach Amsterdam within 30 minutes by car or train. A vibrant, international
capital, Amsterdam has much to offer visitors: from walks or boat trips
along its legendary canals with their magnificent canal houses, to a wealth
of renowned museums and galleries, and an abundance of film, dance, theater
and music venues and festivals. Thankfully, Amsterdam is also host to
a phenomenal range of cafes in which to watch the world pass by and decide
what it is that you would like to do on any one visit.
De Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam
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