The Haarlem Shuffle

On the train to Haarlem.

Well this is the first part of my time in Haarlem anyways. I got a late start walking around after a much needed rest. Being a Wednesday and not in tourist season necessarily, there wasnt many people out at night, but it did have a very laid-back, safe, quaint, feel to it. And there were people out - just not masses. I walked over a third of Haarlem, along canals, and skinny streets that radiate out from the Grote Market. There are cool pubs and shops all over the place. Streets that are as skinny as sidewalks, alleyways that suddenly you see a cool local store half-way down it.



This is another view of Grote Market in Haarlem. The same square as in the next photo. My hotel is on the left, just to the left of the green statue. My Hotel window on the 2nd floor, looked right out at the church.  


part of Grote Market in Harlem. The main Square. My hotel was a little to the right of this photo. 


A typical side-street in Haarlem 



Grote Kerk - the Church in Grote Market


after a walkabout, I ended up behind the huge church in Grote Market and recognized a steakhouse called Wilma And Albert's that I read about. Ended up getting Steak in mushroom sauce, French Fries with mayo, and a salad, oh and also a couple of beers that I never had before. It was extremely awesome. And after a couple of coffees, I was ready to move on. I walked around a bit more and the sun didnt set until 10pm. Eventually I hit a bar near the hotel called Cafe Studio. It was really the only one that night and I ended up talking to some of the people that work there. This guy Dimitri told me about a DJ party that was going on till 3am, but I was too tired to stay up past 2am. He said that the weekends are better here and when it is warm out the entire Market square gets filled with patio seating for all of the bars and restaurants that line it. It would be great to come back. The Hotel Carillion where I stayed was a great little place, and it would have been cool to explore more of the nooks and crannys here. The great thing about this hip place is that the church in the middle of the Market is so big, that you can always find your way home just by looking for it.


More of Haarlem




look for the church and you will never get lost in Haarlem.


Today - I so far have checked out of the hotel, but am going to walk around some more and see some sights. Definately taking a cab back to the train station anyhoo.