As we are about to go eat some dinner, I will leave you with the phenomenon that is Bitterballen.
Just as Jen and I were thinking a little snack might be a good idea, a lady appeared in the press room with platters of the traditional Dutch croquettes. Great, thought we, the fine people here have brought us snacks out of the kindness of their hearts, now we don"t have to queue at the bar for chips.
Jen bit into one first. Oh my God, said she. What does it taste like, cried we. Like hot, she replied, I think it"s made of gravy.
Actually we don"t know what they"re made of at all. They"re not unpleasant if you cover them in mustard, except for the texture, which closely resembles slightly meaty slime.
I spoke to my brother, a resident of Amsterdam, who informs me that a few weeks ago his Rembrandtsplein neighbourhood of the city was host to the world"s largest croquette. Here it is, along with the ones we have just eaten.