Independence Day

So pancakes are a big thing here. All flavors, savory and sweet. Weird, I know. There's a fairly famous pancake house, pannenkoekenbakkerij, called Bospub (use google translator if you're interested) not even 1km away from the guesthouse. Today they had a live Irish band playing so Dimitri, Rachael and I went to enjoy the music and have a pancake. I got a spek pannenkoeken (bacon pancake) complimented by syrup from a ceramic jar and powdered sugar (=amazing). Dimitri got his with tomato and Rachel hers with bananana. Strangely, there's a mini golf course hidden in the grounds. We could see the first hole from where we sat on the patio. Also interesting, there's an ancient (at least ancient looking) amphitheater on the grounds as well:

Peek-a-boo!

Rachael giving a star performance.

Dimitri playing the light-keeper.

Following authentic Dutch pancakes and in the Amurikan spirit Rachael and I organized an authentic (as possible) BBQ (minus the BBQ). We made macaroni salad, tomato cucumber salad, deviled eggs, home fries and hamburgers. It was delicious. Everyone got a plate and we all sat outside in the shade of the forest and radio telescope. The party consisted of myself, Rachael, Francillia, Renee, John, Chen, Dimitri, Monica and her boyfriend visiting from Italia, and Trevor (another intern) and his brother (name unknown. He's visiting after a 'hasty exit from Kazakhstan' (??!))

The hot streak has finally broken, so today was much more moderate. We all sat and chatted- debating the definition of sci-fi, praising BSG/Firefly/other sci-fi/fantasy movies/tv shows, sharing stories about other less geeky things- until the mosquitoes were too insistent. The best part? I didn't have to do the dishes.