Postel Abbey & Eersel, February 2008

We arrived outside the Postel Abbey and had "coffee" at a cafe called Gasthof de Beiaard. Actually, I had hot chocolate, but the idea is the same.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:30:47 -0800

Sean Leather
We arrived outside the Postel Abbey and had "coffee" at a cafe called Gasthof de Beiaard. Actually, I had hot chocolate, but the idea is the same.

Most of the people here were part of our group. When we walked in, our leader (the guy standing on the left) asked for "48 coffees." I think he got a funny look from the hostess in return.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:30:57 -0800

Sean Leather
Most of the people here were part of our group. When we walked in, our leader (the guy standing on the left) asked for "48 coffees." I think he got a funny look from the hostess in return.

At my table sat Ping (postdoc in meterology from China) and Rodrigo (PhD student in computer science from Argentina) and...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:31:08 -0800

Sean Leather
At my table sat Ping (postdoc in meterology from China) and Rodrigo (PhD student in computer science from Argentina) and...

Also at my table sat Florentina (postdoc from Romania).

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:31:26 -0800

Sean Leather
Also at my table sat Florentina (postdoc from Romania).

At another table sat Max (postdoc in chemistry from France) and Melinda (international relations specialist from America).

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:31:36 -0800

Sean Leather
At another table sat Max (postdoc in chemistry from France) and Melinda (international relations specialist from America).

A sign outside the cafe pointing to nearby things.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:31:50 -0800

Sean Leather
A sign outside the cafe pointing to nearby things.

A canal outside the Abbey.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:32:03 -0800

Sean Leather
A canal outside the Abbey.

The dashing Rodrigo did not pose for this shot. Seriously. This was completely candid.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:32:17 -0800

Sean Leather
The dashing Rodrigo did not pose for this shot. Seriously. This was completely candid.

Another member of our group who happens to live in the same building as I. Darshana (PhD student in veterinary sciences from South Africa) was always ready with a smile.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:32:26 -0800

Sean Leather
Another member of our group who happens to live in the same building as I. Darshana (PhD student in veterinary sciences from South Africa) was always ready with a smile.

Trees, some tall and feathered, other cut off at every branch. I'm not sure what the point of the latter type is.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:32:45 -0800

Sean Leather
Trees, some tall and feathered, other cut off at every branch. I'm not sure what the point of the latter type is.

After our coffee, we gathered around the leader to get ready for our tour of the abbey.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:32:54 -0800

Sean Leather
After our coffee, we gathered around the leader to get ready for our tour of the abbey.

This is the front entrance to the abbey land.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:33:07 -0800

Sean Leather
This is the front entrance to the abbey land.

We had to split into 2 groups, one led by an English-speaking guide, the other by a Flemish-speaking one. Florentina here was more intelligent and went with the former.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:33:19 -0800

Sean Leather
We had to split into 2 groups, one led by an English-speaking guide, the other by a Flemish-speaking one. Florentina here was more intelligent and went with the former.

Our tour guide here seemed like a very nice lady. She spoke very clear and well enunciated Flemish. (Flemish is not too different from Dutch, though the sounds are much more pleasing to the ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:33:30 -0800

Sean Leather
Our tour guide here seemed like a very nice lady. She spoke very clear and well enunciated Flemish. (Flemish is not too different from Dutch, though the sounds are much more pleasing to the ...

This sign gives the timeline of the abbey. You can at least pick out the years here. For example, the church was first built in 1138. But beyond that, I think a bunch of other stuff happened ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:33:40 -0800

Sean Leather
This sign gives the timeline of the abbey. You can at least pick out the years here. For example, the church was first built in 1138. But beyond that, I think a bunch of other stuff happened ...

This is a crucifix with various information attached below.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:33:53 -0800

Sean Leather
This is a crucifix with various information attached below.

Our guide mentioned the de Broqueville family, so I figured this must be interesting material and snapped this engraving. And, as a matter of fact (no surprise), it turns out that Charles de ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:34:05 -0800

Sean Leather
Our guide mentioned the de Broqueville family, so I figured this must be interesting material and snapped this engraving. And, as a matter of fact (no surprise), it turns out that Charles de ...

In the abbey, there lies a church. On this church is the steeple shown here.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:34:15 -0800

Sean Leather
In the abbey, there lies a church. On this church is the steeple shown here.

The church has a number of stained-glass windows such as this one.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:34:30 -0800

Sean Leather
The church has a number of stained-glass windows such as this one.

The church is small but nice inside. All of what you see here was originally built by the Romans. Other parts (not shown) were later modified or added.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:34:41 -0800

Sean Leather
The church is small but nice inside. All of what you see here was originally built by the Romans. Other parts (not shown) were later modified or added.

One of the stained-glass windows from inside the church.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:34:52 -0800

Sean Leather
One of the stained-glass windows from inside the church.

The monks who live in the abbey keep a large herb garden. It's most famous for its Ginseng.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:35:05 -0800

Sean Leather
The monks who live in the abbey keep a large herb garden. It's most famous for its Ginseng.

Each plant has a sign with it's common name, scientific name, and description. This is peppermint.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:35:20 -0800

Sean Leather
Each plant has a sign with it's common name, scientific name, and description. This is peppermint.

A pair of dogs guarded the herb garden from the dangerous tourists.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:35:36 -0800

Sean Leather
A pair of dogs guarded the herb garden from the dangerous tourists.

Absinthe.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:35:47 -0800

Sean Leather
Absinthe.

A small, budding plant with a pond in the background.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:36:00 -0800

Sean Leather
A small, budding plant with a pond in the background.

The monks extract herbal remedies from the plants. I don't know if they still do this, but these are sample bottles for the drugs.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:36:13 -0800

Sean Leather
The monks extract herbal remedies from the plants. I don't know if they still do this, but these are sample bottles for the drugs.

Thyme.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:36:27 -0800

Sean Leather
Thyme.

Echinacea, called here "red sun hat."

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:36:42 -0800

Sean Leather
Echinacea, called here "red sun hat."

This buidling previously housed victims of the plague. They were left here to die and to reduce the spread of disease to others.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:36:58 -0800

Sean Leather
This buidling previously housed victims of the plague. They were left here to die and to reduce the spread of disease to others.

I think something is made in this laboratory-like place, but I don't know what.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:37:09 -0800

Sean Leather
I think something is made in this laboratory-like place, but I don't know what.

More drug bottles.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:37:19 -0800

Sean Leather
More drug bottles.

The monks also make cheese. This building holds the processing equipment and stores the cheese.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:37:37 -0800

Sean Leather
The monks also make cheese. This building holds the processing equipment and stores the cheese.

Postel cheese.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:37:47 -0800

Sean Leather
Postel cheese.

Rodrigo tries out some Postel cheese.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:37:58 -0800

Sean Leather
Rodrigo tries out some Postel cheese.

I'm not really sure what these animals are. At first, we thought they were deer or goats, but we weren't confident of it.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:38:12 -0800

Sean Leather
I'm not really sure what these animals are. At first, we thought they were deer or goats, but we weren't confident of it.

A horse was relaxing in a grassy area.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:38:27 -0800

Sean Leather
A horse was relaxing in a grassy area.

Our guide points out another building to the group.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:38:40 -0800

Sean Leather
Our guide points out another building to the group.

I'm not sure what this building is used for.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:38:53 -0800

Sean Leather
I'm not sure what this building is used for.

I help finish off some of the last remnants of cheese.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:39:06 -0800

Sean Leather
I help finish off some of the last remnants of cheese.

The same building from a different viewpoint. We come back to that tower later.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:39:16 -0800

Sean Leather
The same building from a different viewpoint. We come back to that tower later.

We round the corner to find the Kontactcentrum ("Contact Center").

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:39:28 -0800

Sean Leather
We round the corner to find the Kontactcentrum ("Contact Center").

On the other side of the Kontactcentrum is this very pleasant courtyard.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:39:40 -0800

Sean Leather
On the other side of the Kontactcentrum is this very pleasant courtyard.

Some folks were practicing Tai Chi on the opposite side of the courtyard.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:39:54 -0800

Sean Leather
Some folks were practicing Tai Chi on the opposite side of the courtyard.

A better view of the clock tower.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:40:09 -0800

Sean Leather
A better view of the clock tower.

A closeup of an interesting window. Notice the reflection of the clock.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:40:20 -0800

Sean Leather
A closeup of an interesting window. Notice the reflection of the clock.

A map providing some perspective on the Postel Abbey. You can see that the Netherlands border is not very far away. There's also an arrow pointing northeast towards Eersel where we head next ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:40:27 -0800

Sean Leather
A map providing some perspective on the Postel Abbey. You can see that the Netherlands border is not very far away. There's also an arrow pointing northeast towards Eersel where we head next ...

We next took our bus to Eersel in the Netherlands. At one time, this town was popular, because it lay at a popular crossroads. Now, it's just quaint.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:40:40 -0800

Sean Leather
We next took our bus to Eersel in the Netherlands. At one time, this town was popular, because it lay at a popular crossroads. Now, it's just quaint.

Eersel has many cafes. A cafe in the NL is more like a pub than a restaurant. This is the Hotel Eetcafe de Bengel.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:40:53 -0800

Sean Leather
Eersel has many cafes. A cafe in the NL is more like a pub than a restaurant. This is the Hotel Eetcafe de Bengel.

Cafe de Meert: another cafe in Eersel.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:41:07 -0800

Sean Leather
Cafe de Meert: another cafe in Eersel.

Outside cafe seating with flowers.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:41:17 -0800

Sean Leather
Outside cafe seating with flowers.

A store called "The Kangaroo." I don't know what it sells, though.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:41:27 -0800

Sean Leather
A store called "The Kangaroo." I don't know what it sells, though.

Eersel has its own street-side sign informing you of the direction of interesting places in town.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:41:42 -0800

Sean Leather
Eersel has its own street-side sign informing you of the direction of interesting places in town.

After walking around some more, Rodrigo and I went to the place in the center left to get a snack.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:41:57 -0800

Sean Leather
After walking around some more, Rodrigo and I went to the place in the center left to get a snack.

I ended up with a Brusselse waffle met poedersuiker ("Brussels waffle with powdered sugar"). It was good though rather dry. Soon after, we shipped out back to Utrecht.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:42:09 -0800

Sean Leather
I ended up with a Brusselse waffle met poedersuiker ("Brussels waffle with powdered sugar"). It was good though rather dry. Soon after, we shipped out back to Utrecht.