European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 25, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A cat sits in a shop window As the Sun warms its Perch. Of -. A do a by a a it \ one Wing of the City Hall sports a line of tall chimneys and protruding windows. At right a crowded bicycle stand attests to the popularity of bikes As a Mode of transportation. Two cyclists pause at the Center of the Gravenstien Wenbrug Bridge to watch boat traffic on the spa Arne River. And shrubs to vegetables fruits nuts ceramics and clothes. The groote Markt is Only two blocks from the Riverside one of the most attractive areas of town. Perhaps More than any other nationality the dutch have integrated their Urban Waterways into the daily life of their cities. Flowing water and boats in the Middle of a City add an element of Romance tinged with the Call of faraway. Places. In Haarlem the Canali Zed spa Arne also has a More permanent Domestic character to it a houseboats Are tied up to curbside quays opposite houses and shops. Like the rest of the country the City is a network of islands. The Bridges Are the links that hold these networks together. In Haarlem the Bridges make an interesting study in themselves. There Are functional Flat Concrete and steel slabs cantilever spans that tip open momentarily stopping bicyclists and pedestrians in mid stride swinging Bridges that turn into elongated islands As barges Glide past. One of the most distinctive is the Gravenstien Wenbrug a gleaming White drawbridge that a connects the East and West Banks of the spa Arne. Other noteworthy landmarks in the City include the turn of the Century St. Bavo s Cathedral not to be confused with St. Bavo s Kerk Amite Dramse poort the Only City Gate remaining from the medieval fortifications the Goudsmid Skamer the Guild Hall of the City s Goldsmiths and silversmiths and the Walse Keck continued on Page 10 travellers tips Belgium Sas map Haarlem is easy to find. If driving from Central Germany take autobahn a-3 from Frankfurt past Cologne to the dutch Border. There the Road becomes Netherlands Highway a-12. Take a-12 to utrecht and then follow a-2 North in the direction of Amsterdam to a-9 North. Take the Haa Lepi exit off a-9. The train station is about a 15-minute walk eight blocks from the City Center. Follow Kruis Weg which becomes Krivi Straat then . There Are several Good hotels in Haarlem. The hotel amadeus located on the Market Square charges 110 guilders $60 for a double room. The hotel Carillon also on the Market Square charges 75 guilders $41 for a double. In the higher priced Range the hotel Carlton Square at Baan 7 charges 225 guilders $123 for a double and the Golden Tulip charges 200 guilders $55 the tourist office will Book rooms for a Small fee. As is True throughout the Netherlands personnel speak excellent English. For More information Contact tourist information . Box 1.196, 2001 by Haarlem Netherlands or stations Plein 1, 1011 or Haarlem Tel. 0031-23-319059. A Norm Zeigler april 25, 1991 stripes Magazine s