Program 679: Nordic Roots; Dutch Towns; Bridge to Nicaragua

Hear how the characters of Nordic mythology can help you better understand the past, and how they influence the epic tales that entertain us today. Discover Dutch towns to explore beyond Amsterdam where you can view technological marvels as well as medieval charm. Also, find out how tourism in Nicaragua is trying to rebound from multiple setbacks, one rural homestay at a time.

• Lori Erickson, author of "Soul of the Family Tree" (Westminster John Knox Press)
• Dutch tour guide Rolinka Bloeming
• Tim Tendick, Dutch-American tour guide to Europe
• Penny Reid, author of “Bridging: Languages, Cultures and My Life” (self-published)
• Call-out to Ernesto Ocampo at Agualí Biological Station in Matagalpa, Nicaragua

• Lori Erickson investigates her Viking ancestors in her latest book, "The Soul of the Family Tree."  She offers suggestions for visiting spiritually-significant locales on her SpiritualTravels.info website. 
• Tour guide Rolinka Blooming hosts a B&B guesthouse and tiny house rentals at Ferrairolles in the French Pyrenees.
• Tim Tendick blogs about his travel observations.  He’s organizing a guided tour of Romania.
• Rick explored the Dutch town of Delft in detail on Travel with Rick Steves program #431 in January, 2016.
• Penny Reid wrote "Bridging" from her journal entries during visits to Nicaragua. She shares more online at "alwaysbridging.com."
• The Agualí Biological Station is in a protected natural area of mountains and forests at Matagalpa, in the interior of Nicaragua.