City Deventer today!

City Deventer today! 

Yup, although I was a bit of a doubt of going out today, I decided pretty fast this morning that I will be going out. I putted my clothes on then my shoes, washed and packed my bag and before I knew I was sitting in the train. Today I went to the city of Deventer, last weekend I went to the city Zutphen. When I travel to Zutphen I pass Deventer on my way, Deventer isn't that far. The trip took me not even thirty minutes with the train. Lol, funny thing this morning, just before I went out I had a phone call from Jennifer. (from yesterday's 'visit') She told me that she would like that I come for a visit on the 17th of April, 1:30 pm. Yesterday we both decided that when she wants me for a visit she will call me on a  Saturday, to make a appointment for a visit for the following Wednesday. My visits to Jennifer will always be on a Wednesday, (her choice) and once a month. Alright, back to my little trip.

A little bird area inside the park in Deventer, I have been in Deventer before but never visited the park, didn't even know that this park had a bird area. They even had excotic birds flying around.

Arrived in the park, nice area with here and there a few statues and sculptures. Here you see the sculpture 'Europa and the bull' actually, the bull is Zeus who had a secret crush on her despite being married to Hera...

In a no time I arrived in the city of Deventer. I already kinda knew where to go, or actually where I wanted to go. First of headed to the park, that was near the train station. After the park I came out beside the river 'The Ijssel,' just like I planned. The weather wasn't that cold, atleast not as cold as last weekend, where I almost frozed my fingers of, lol! Though I had some snow here and there, but that was alright. Gosh, snow in March, or perhaps worse, snow with Easter! I sat down on a bench near the river, and ated my self made sandwiches. I didn't sit that long cause it wasn't feeling like Spring or highly Summer, with the Summer this area is packed with sun bathing people. It's nice here! After walking beside the river for a little thirty minutes I turned left towards the centre of the city, just like I had planned. I should have examined Google maps a bit better...
 

The river the Ijssel, I rested here for a short fifteen minutes.

I couldn't come closer, otherwise they would fly away.

 Cause when I turned left I got a bit lost. The city of Deventer has alot of alleys and a few courtyards, you can compare it a bit with last weekends visit to Zutphen. Though Zutphen was better. Deventer is alright, it surely has his beauty aswell and his history. Wikipedia: Deventer has seen few military engagements throughout its long history. The industrial area and harbour were bombed heavily during World War II. The city centre has been largely spared, thus offering a view that has remained largely unchanged for the past few centuries. The female Jewish poet and writer Etty Hillesum lived in Deventer during the war before being deported to Auschwitz. In Schalkhaar, a village only two km northeast of the city centre, barracks were used by the German occupying forces to train Nazi policemen. The compound is now a centre for asylum seekers. 
 

The big Church from Deventer called the 'St. Lebuïnuskerk.' One of the nicest churches I seen by far, it's huge!

I had the privilege to ride one of these awkward bicycles, as you see the pedal's are on the front wheel. Very awkward to ride, though loved to have one, lol.

Deventer has been somewhat popular with the film industry. During the production of the movie A Bridge Too Far all of the scenes taking place in nearby Arnhem were filmed in Deventer, as Arnhem itself had lost its historic center. I got lost a few times, though getting lost wasn't that bad, there's alot to see here. Deventer is like a maze, specially the centre of the city. Lots of old fashion alleys, but aswell funny architecture. Ofcource I took some pictures. The centre, where all the stores were and shops was busy, I avoided that area a bit. I rather go trough old alley's to search for old and awkward buildings or houses. After a long walk trough the centre I took a break at a store, a well known store where you can buy just about anything, and there's a section where you can have a snack and a coffee or other drinks. I took a large coffee and a large cookie. Loved it! 

Charles Dickens painted on a wall in the famous 'Walstraat.'

The 'Walstraat,' look at these nice and cute houses! Loved being there.

On my way back I went trough a small alley called the 'Walstraat.' One of my favorite alley's to walk trough, the alley has old small houses in the style of 'Charles Dickens.' Plus small, cute little stores and Victorian style buildings. It was pretty crowded there, but fun to walk. Once a year (just a few days before Christmas) they are holding there the 'Dickens festival.' Hundreds of residents and others are on the streets dressed up in clothing from the Victorian era. Hundreds of characters from the books by Charles Dickens (1807/1870) are dressed up and act like Scrooge, Oliver Twist, Mr.. Pickwick, Christmas Carol-singers, orphans, drunkards, craftsmen and many other poor and rich people.On this event more than 100,000 people will visit the Walstraat. After walking long enough I decided to go back towards home, I felt tired, legs were hurting and I got hungry, it was all worth it.