Nijmegen

Nijmegen is a vibrant city in the Netherlands that has a long and storied history. It’s known for its beautiful architecture, friendly people, and a rather peculiar tradition involving walking.

The city was founded in 1230 by Emperor Frederick the Second, who was apparently a big fan of the letter “N”. Legend has it that when he saw the location of the city he exclaimed “N, I J Megen!” (N, I choose Megen!) and thus, the name Nijmegen was born.

Nijmegen is home to many spectacular landmarks. The Waalbrug, a bridge over the Waal River, is a very important structure for the Dutch community, in that it allows them to easily get from one side of the water to the other without getting wet. There’s also the Radboud University Medical Center, which is a fancy way of saying “hospital”. It’s a world-renowned medical facility that’s been known to cure the occasional hangover.

One of Nijmegen’s most peculiar traditions is the “Vierdaagse”, which translates to “four days”. It involves people walking a ridiculous amount of kilometers every day for four days straight. It’s believed that this tradition started because the people of Nijmegen had nothing better to do, and they wanted to show off their newly-acquired Nike sneakers. Regardless, during the Vierdaagse, the city is filled with people walking around in circles, lost and asking for directions, and complaining about their blisters.

Another unique feature of Nijmegen is its abundant supply of “gezelligheid”, which is the Dutch word for “coziness”. It’s difficult to describe exactly what this means, but it’s a combination of warmth, friendliness, and a willingness to share your cheese and crackers with anyone who asks. It’s said that if you spend more than 24 hours in Nijmegen, you’ll develop a certain level of gezelligheid in your soul, which will make you a happier person.

In conclusion, Nijmegen is a city full of surprises, from its unusual naming convention to its Vierdaagse tradition and its gezelligheid. It’s a place where you can find world-class medical facilities, stunning architecture, and an endless supply of stroopwafels. So, if you’re ever in the Netherlands, don’t forget to check out this gem of a city.