04/24/16 day 22: Spijkerboor, NL

First time in a proper bed in a few days and I slept like a log. Down for the count for a solid 9 hours. Felt amazeballs. Walked downstairs for breakfast and I was the first one up after Serge who was a saint and finished up Jeff's and my laundry.

We had breakfast which is similar to German with bread and cheese and meat and coffee but the Dutch love their bread sprinkles. Similar to American sprinkles that we put on ice cream but the Dutch sprinkle it on their bread in the morning. "Is that vierd?!" best said with Austin Powers character Goldmember accent.

Said our goodbyes to our awesome hosts and got on the road for Spijkerboor, in Drenthe, in Netherlands around 1. This was an early show (4pm start) so we needed to get moving for sound check. Very peaceful countryside. You get the sense this land has been farmed for a long time. Serge was telling me that this general area they farmed pray for centuries.

Rolled past vaguely familiar countryside and pulled into Cafe t'Keerpunt around 2pm. Met up with owner and jolly host Wilhelm, his wife Annake who takes the money at the door, and son Ivo who runs the bar and the big white dog who loves to show you his rope in exchange for some scratches. Had a coffee and relaxed for a moment and got caught up. Sound check was quick as the space is small and doesn't require a big PA, but we got it sounding juicy.

The place filled up by 4, roughly about 45/50 people and we began melting minds. A bunch of people from our 2014 show were there and they all say upfront and sang along and clapped. It really felt good. Saw folks bopping their heads and singing along to tunes. It was great. During the last couple shows I've mentioned how much we love the Dutch Kroketten (fried potato and meat Twinkie shaped deliciousness) to the crowd and I mentioned it tonight and our host Wilhelm surprised us with homemade Kroketten after the gig. He's a big sweetheart.

Come on, these fries? Unreal. This is probably my new dream dinner. Why don't we have these in the states?? They'd be huge... I want to open a Döner/Kroketten joint in the states. Who's got an extra million at home? We will call it "Zum Mitnehmen" or something clever and offer all the best "to go" food Europe has to offer... Anyone? Oh man, think about it... Good fries with mayo and curry ketchup, döner, falafel, arancini (Italian rice balls...), Kroketten....I'm serious. Let's do this!!?Who's in?!? Alex Bliss, this has your name written all over it!

Said our goodbyes to our Spijkerboor hosts, threw around some high fives and rolled north to Steendam to crash at Peter and Leni's venue called Podium Café where the gig is tmrw. Our new friend Peter Bes (no relation to any of the Peters already mentioned) made the connection for us. We arrived 40 minutes later and were immediately impressed with the space but also peter and Leni who are two sweethearts and serious music lovers. We sat down and rapped and relaxed and got a tour of the venue. Leni also shared her homemade apple pie with whipped cream which was so good, you'd stab a slag for a piece. Peter and Leni live upstairs and they opened their home to us. We loaded in and all got comfy on the couch and watched a DVD on the music of Lewyn Davis from City Hall in NYC. Feels like a night off but actually a really a long day. But another stunner of a day filled with glorious people, delicious food, and sensual tunes. What a life I lead. Night!