One thing that you quickly learn when living in the Netherlands is the danger of leaving the shimmering concrete or warm brick sidewalks to tread across the refreshingly green grass that springs more delightfully beneath your feet than a sidewalk ever could. However, don’t do it. Just. Don’t. (And no, this is not referring to the other type of grass, kids).
This doesn’t mean that the other people will suddenly tackle you or start screaming about getting off of the grass due to fears of damaging it. No, nothing so loud or prohibitive. The reason is subtle, often unseen or detected until it is too late: when your foot finds the squishy, brownish mass that was left from a neighborhood cat or dog. Yep, that’s right – the always formidable POOP MINE!!!
The Netherlands is a populous nation with around approximately 17 million residents. I live in one of the more populous areas, though it is a smaller town. However, it being a relatively short train ride away from Amsterdam and Utrecht, it is densely populated and greenspace is a highly valued commodity.
Many people live in row houses or apartments that are closely compacted in order to maximize efficiency of space. Dutch design and efficiency are something I am still highly impressed with. Pragmatic and practical to an almost flawless degree. And that is the nature of the small town I live in (even though it is still much more metropolitan seeming than my hometown in the United States).
Yet, quite like home, many people love to have pets. I myself have fish, though I can’t wait to have a cat or dog. But all of these dogs and cats often require the minimal amount of green space available to relieve themselves, that is, until we teach them to use toilets. **crosses fingers and offers a prayer to the flying spaghetti monster to hasten discovery of this knowledge**
Some humans also don’t find it necessary to clean up after their dogs, and might even leave it in the middle of the concrete for you to unfortunately stumble into while on a nightly stroll. Yep…. been in that situation far more times than my shoes would like to recall…..
So, advice to wanderers who really like walking about, watch your step. It stinks to have to be so wary of where you step, I know, but it could stink a whole lot worse which you only find out once you’ve gotten home.