Zaanse Schans

One of the things we did in Amsterdam was going to Zaanse Schans which was a place where they had lots of windmills and other demonstrations from the 18th and 19th century.



The first place we went in Zaanse Schans was a demonstration on how to make cheese. The lady showed us the percentages of curds that were used to make the cheese, which was about 10%. The other 90% of water from the milk they fed to the animals.



After the demonstration, we got to try like fifty different types of cheeses. It was really cool. They had a lavender one that was purple, a pesto one that was green, and even a coconut one. Too bad I don't like cheese!



The second thing we did was see a dye windmill. It was called De Kat.



They used the power from the windmill to move the large round crushing rocks around, to make powder which they would add to other ingredients to make different coloured dyes. Then they would add oil to the crushed ingredients to make the dye.



Last we went to a shoe museum. Wooden clogs were used in Amsterdam for farming and working in windmills. They are made by chopping down a tree, usually poplar or willow. You chop it into big piece, then smaller pieces, then you use a mould with a machine that helps shape it.



They used a long tool with a ball on the top to hallow it out. You use the mould to make it into a clog shape and then you sandpaper it because if you put your foot in before, then you'd get lots of splinters.



After the shape was done and it was sanded, you either paint it or leave it plain. The painted shoes were for going to church but if you'd didn't paint it, you could use it for farming or other work.



I would recommend going to the Zaanse Schans because the lady who did the cheese demonstration was really funny and I liked all of her jokes. Bye!