In the past weeks I got to see my hometown as a tourist, spent quality time with my loved ones (not enough though!), ate all those peculiar delicacies (hagelslag, bitterballen, salmiak dropjes) and managed to keep cycling on the road. Here’s why I always like to come to Groningen, and also why I like to leave it 😉

When I think about going on vacation, I think of being in beautiful nature, chilling at the waterside, reading that book I bought months ago and simply doing nothing. Well, Groningen could offer most of that if it wouldn’t have been winter when I stopped by…

Typical Dutch canals with houseboats

The market square with the Martini tower

Wooden shoes with our flag

Our beautiful central station

The market square

Now, where actually is this town called Groningen? Well, us ‘Groningers’ like to say, “there’s nothing above Groningen”, which has to do with both its location, (you can’t go much further north unless you’d want to check out the North Sea) and it’s greatness.

I was never a big fan of history class, however, some wicked facts do need to be mentioned…

Over 500 years ago, we built Europe’s highest tower (or, we believe we did).As an important trade centre, we then walled our city as a statement of authority and made our dialect the common language of the north (yes Frisians, you did speak Gronings before). Here you can see why our dialect is so efficient (Page in Dutch). Nonetheless, we gave up our independence around the 16th century to join the Spanish, but then decided to become part of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. Later on, the University of Groningen was founded, which is keeping our town the youngest of the country, a quarter of the Groningers being students.

Due to our students, there’s never a dull moment in Groningen. For example; Europe’s largest student event (Kei week) takes place here, but honestly, there’s partying to be done year round. I’ve spent some of my better years in Europe’s largest bar (de Drie Gezusters) which is easily big enough to get lost, and when you do you might find impressive live piano play, cozy old-fashioned train-seats including luggage racks, circular turning bars (so no need to drink yourself dizzy), and of course a gay-bar, sports-bar and even a cave…

Shopping is another high rated activity, and conveniently we have the most fun shopping street in the Netherlands (Folkingestraat). Thinking of it, there’s this coffeeshop in the middle of the street, called ‘the clown’ which might have something to do with this particular fact.

All in all, us Grunnegers are quite happy, alright one more for the books, in 2013, Groningen was chosen as the happiest city of Europe, 97% of the people in Groningen are happy to live in Groningen. And they should be!

Then why-o-why did I leave, if there’s nothing above Groningen? Well, not only are we living below sea level which pretty much terrifying if you give it some thought, but also, it’s wet all-the-time. My friends know I truly dislike rain (politely expressed), and here, it rains 2/3rd of the time. When there’s no rain, there’s the continuous wind, not to be confused with sea breeze. No hair-product is good enough to prevent you from a continuous bad-hairday look.

On the exceptional sunny days it’s so very enjoyable to cycle amidst the hordes of cyclists, stop for some ‘kibbeling’ (fried fish) or freshly baked ‘stroopwafels’, smoke or drink something in one of the many cafes and avoid the canals on the way back. Reasons we are semi-allowed to drink and drive the bicycle; the biggest risk is hitting the water.

Groningen, you will always be my home, come rain or shine!

Next update from ‘pindaland’ Indonesia 🙂