Betsy and comrades in rain gear

We mounted our bikes in light drizzle once again on Weds. morning and headed into Friesland.  Every day we asked Joppe what the weather would be and we got the same response:  “Today you should pack a raincoat—just in case.  Tomorrow will be beautiful!”   And every day we packed raincoats because, as Joppe also declared, “You are in Holland.  It can rain any time!”

How did Friesland enter the picture?  We crossed the Afsliendijk, which brought us from the province of North Holland to the province of Friesland.  A brief geography lesson:  The Netherlands has 12 provinces, of which South Holland and North Holland are the best known, the largest, and contain the two largest cities, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.  Thus, the Netherlands is frequently referred to as “Holland”, though the two, strictly speaking, are not interchangeable.

Spirited Frisian horses gallop in a field as we pass on our bikes.

Friesland is also a province, but quite a singular one.  It clings to a separate identity, which includes its own language, Frisian, and a history that includes Vikings and Germanic nobles.  In reality, Frisian culture in the 21st century seems more a state of mind than anything.  Frieslanders are indistinguishable in looks and stature from other Dutch; they speak Dutch as well as Frisian; they are Protestants like other northern Dutch; and parliamentary districts cross borders among provinces so Frieslanders don’t have a distinct political voice.

Wind turbines dot the landscape of Frisia and North Holland–the modern windmill.

Nonetheless, they maintain a pride of place and culture unique to them.  From our perspective, their most observable achievement is the Frisian horses, formerly draft horses, now used for carriage-pulling and riding.  They look very spirited and graceful roaming green pastures and frequently have greeted us with great interest as we passed on our bikes.