Amersfoort--Rain, Zwarte Pieten, and Antipasta

We have had glorious sunny days here in The Netherlands, but Saturday was not one of them. 

We had planned a walking tour of Amersfoort for Saturday afternoon and made restaurant reservations at an authentic Italian pasta house where we could have dinner and a chat with our good friends A. and J.

Then it rained! 

But we still walked our foot tour with our umbrellas and ate a great meal with our friends.

It isn't often that I visit such a beautiful old city and never take out my camera (except in a warm, dry restaurant!), but Saturday was one of those days. So I am going to refer you to some super photos of Amersfoort on The Hochmans in Holland blog. Click HERE.

We hadn't really done our research very well, since Saturday was also the arrival of Sinterklaas and his helpful Zwarte Pieten in The Netherlands AND in Amersfoort. So we weaved our way for a couple of hours through the raindrops and the swarms of eager children and patient parents to see the beautiful old Dutch city.

We never caught a glimpse of the jolly old Sint Nicolaas, but the place was filled with Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters). And we didn't see not one white or pink or green or stroopwafel Piet! They were all Zwart, as tradition should be. No protesting! Just lots of happy kids and adults! The way holiday time should be!

Photo Source:?

Later in Da Luca's Pastahuis we met up with A. and J. for our chat and a nice meal. 

This was only our antipasta! My vegetarian lasagna was tops! 

Think I want to go back to Amersfoort in the sunshine and for another pasta dish ;)