Nijmegen

I lived in Netherlands for three years early in the 1970s.  I have wonderful memories, faded with age, and I can still manage a bit of "street Dutch".  I returned once over ten years ago, but I didn't plan on visiting on this trip:  we didn't have anyone there on our list to visit.  But here in Duisburg (Germany) I noticed signs for Nijmegen (the Netherlands).  Ina hopes to study there at Radbout University.  Her father volunteered to drive us there (thanks again, Manfred!).


Nijmegen was in the process of cleaning up after a four day march and festival, so things were a bit chaotic.  We started at the church nearest our parking lot, which turned out to be a city museum and visitor's center.  There we got a map and a leaflet with a walking tour of the old town.
It is an old town: Nijmegen was first settled in the first century AD. 

 We wandered the cobblestone streets, admiring things for sale in the street stalls...

cheese!

herring!

 ... and historic buildings (all the while trying to keep the map oriented to the twisting streets).  A street organ always seemed to be playing close by.

the Radhuis (city hall)

the Waag (weigh house)

In the big market square was a statue of Marieke of Nijmegen, who appears in a medieval morality tale.  Marieke's story is similar to Faust: she makes a deal with the devil, and after years of carefree, careless living she repents.  She was bound with three rings (you can see them in the statue), which were removed by the Angel Gabriel when her sinful ways had been forgiven.

The Stevenskerk was like stepping into an old Dutch master's painting.  An art exhibit was being held inside. 

We were half way done with the walking tour, but it was time for something to eat before the time ran out on the parking meter.  I had a nostalgic lunch:  an uitsmijter met ham en kaas, frites, en een pils.