I would have thought that the only way to see infinite tulip fields was to travel to the Netherlands. But it was not the case when I had visited Holland, Michigan, during the first week of May. I entered when the town was taken over by the Tulip Time festival.
Tulips were everywhere. They were not necessarily in special areas or parks. They hung on the sides of the roads, and I found them in places where I had not predicted. I later heard that over five million tulips are grown here.
A Town with Memory
The beauty of the flowers was not the only thing that impressed me but also the feeling of nature. Holland was not a place that seemed to be in an attempt to impress people. In this case, the culture of the Dutch is a part of daily life. I caught a glimpse of a Delftware factory, wooden shoes before little shops, and bakeries with the pleasant scent of cookies and savory pastries.
I was informed by one of the natives that this town had been founded in 1847 and that the Dutch settlers found freedom of religion in this locality. It is due to this history that all this appears so real and interwoven. It is not just for show. This is a custom that has existed through the years.
Still Living Traditions
I once observed individuals sweeping the street to be followed by a parade as well. Their clothing was traditional Dutch, and they poured water on the road. They were cleaning the street with a thoroughness that was nearly a ritual practiced over a long period of time. It felt calm and natural.
It was over the top of all this that I began to have an idea of why East-West News Service, Europe Travel, and Cultural Analysis refer to this place as something bigger than a seasonal attraction. I rode on a trolley out of the main crowd. I drove through silent districts, in which tulips were growing to equal perfection.
Moments That Stay With You
One afternoon, I was taking a stroll along Windmill Island. The windmill was imported in parts into the Netherlands. It was between pots of tulips and turned around. It was not meant to be on display- it is still functioning. It was very peaceful viewing it against the sky with colorful flowers.
I visited a tulip farm that exceeded my expectations in size. Floods of colorful flowers were extending a long way forward. At some point, I ceased to take photos. It was more pleasant just to stand and admire the sight.
The Effort Behind the Beauty
What I did not imagine is that there is a lot of work involved in keeping all these. Hundreds of thousands of bulbs are changed every year. This is greatly scheduled, and the bulbs are replanted with caution. People are already planning to have the next festival even in the middle of the festival. This rendered all this less temporary and more of a cycle.
Bottom Line
When I got away, I had ceased to compare it with the Netherlands. Holland, Michigan, had no need of that comparison. It possesses its narration and its manner of preserving tradition without being out of touch.
Meanwhile, the East-West News Service and Europe Travel and Cultural Analysis had a significant concept in common. Travel does not necessarily involve traveling long distances. There are moments when I’m about seeking those places that, in some way or another, silently possess history, culture, and beauty.
For a deeper exploration of this journey, read the full article: