Get your clogs in Amsterdam

Pick up a pair of clogs ("klompen") as a unique reminder of your visit to Amsterdam.  Infact, get a pair to actually wear while you are at it!  They are surprisingly comfortable!

Title: Wearing Clogs in Amsterdam

Author: Rahul viz

Article:
One of the most unique items to take back home from Amsterdam
are clogs, Holland's traditional wooden shoes. Clogs originated
as far back as 1367, or probably are even older, and have been
worn as daily footwear ever since. In Holland's wet and cold
climate, only clogs will keep feet dry and warm at all times.
And contrary to appearances they're more comfortable than one
would imagine. One can find a large variety in clogs and see
clog making and clog painting at De Klompenboer.

Clogs are prepared of balsa-white poplar wood. For this purpose
the trees are especially grown. Though while making clogs a
perfect pair of clogs one needs fresh, wet wood, cut in square
blocks. After chopping the wood it is smoothed bring the right
shape. For the clogs to be durable finished clogs are painted.
The traditional clogs are painted yellow with a red pattern. It
is said that each village used to have its own pattern. At
present clogs used for daily wear are still yellow and red and
souvenir clogs are painted in a large variety of patterns and
colors, varying from flowers to entire street scenes. The
pattern for making clogs for the purpose of souvenirs is
dependent on the fashion of the day. The fashion changes with
time and sometime back summer tourists seem to prefer black and
white clogs in a 'cow pattern'.

At the 'Klompenboer' lots of types of clogs are exhibited and
stored as well as exhibiting a large variety of antique clogs.
The owner Mrs. Jonker, shows clog painting on Tuesdays and
Thursdays. If one wants one can always request the traditional
craftsman Bruno Jonker to show how to make the perfect clog. All
the history of clogs is known to him and he will also tell the
story of bridal Clogs.

The significance of wooden clogs is very important. As it has
been known these wooden "shoes" are not just for decoration;
they are very much a part of everyday life in Holland. Many
citizens wear wooden clogs, and they wear them all the time. The
different colors of the clogs correspond to their purpose of
wearing clogs - yellow shoes for working, red shoes for dancing,
and blue shoes for church.

The tourist attraction of any place will not be complete without
an oversized something. Outside the Clog Factory there are two
separate pairs of oversized bright yellow clogs and an enormous
Yellow Clog which two people can comfortably fit in. These clogs
were very photogenic as well as being very attractive.

Traditional clogs are associated with the Netherlands or
Amsterdam as part of the touristic ""Holland" image, where they
are seen as a form of national dress. For the reason that they
wear clogs Dutch people are sometimes called cloggies, that is,
clog-wearers. In Dutch, clogs are known as klompen. The
traditional, all wooden, Dutch clogs have been officially
labeled as safety shoes. Today, Dutch clogs are available in
many tourist shops. Wearing clogs is considered to be healthy
for the feet.

About the author:
Rahul viz recommends that you visit <a
href="http://www.bookings.nl/city/nl/amsterdam.html?aid=305255">h
ttp://www.bookings.nl/city/nl/amsterdam.html?aid=305255</a> for
more information on <a
href="http://www.bookings.nl/city/nl/amsterdam.html?aid=305255">W
earing Clogs in Amsterdam</a>.

There is so much to learn, see, and experience in Amsterdam.  And perhaps you can learn a few dutch words as well!  Geniet van jou vakantiedagen in Amsterdam!