Limburger "Stinky" Cheese
The school where I was chairing the accreditation visit is in the Limburg section of The Netherlands, where “stinky cheese” is a proud part of the culture and an everyday commodity. As a nice gesture, the leadership provided each of us on the accreditation team with a beautiful basket filled with fruits, chocolates, wine (can you believe a school included wine?), cheeses and crackers. The teachers had also placed vases of fresh tulips in our rooms. When I walked into the hotel room, I thought something had either molded or someone had died. It never occurred to me that the stench might be coming from the beautiful gift, but out of curiosity for the contents I tore into my basket and soon found the culprit—Limburger cheese!!!!
Now, I know why this smelly stuff is the brunt of jokes on the Three Stooges and Abbott and Costello. And I certainly understand why Mark Twain asked if the guy was dead? I remember when I was in high school somebody smeared some Limburger on the classroom door knobs so when anyone touched the knob, they would smell really bad. Weren’t we terribly clever in those days??
But one of the assistant principals serving on the team wanted everyone’s cheese so we all gladly handed over ours. I can only imagine how her car smelled carrying seven cartons of stinky cheese. That four hour drive back to her home in Germany could not have been pleasant, and the snowy roads were not the worst of her problems. But the good news is, if she forgot her deodorant, I don’t think anyone would know the difference.
Now, the school review is over, and I am taking in the sites in Amsterdam! Stay tuned for the next report on my ongoing adventure.
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I was introduced to Limburger cheese in high school too. We used it for initiation into high school among other things. I will NEVER forget that smell! Glad you got all the other goodies to make up for the smell. Come home!!
Yuck, I hope that’s one of those items you can’t bring back into the USA. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
You need to come to Okinawa next year for our accreditation visits, Cindy. We’ll fill you up with wonderful sushi! I so enjoyed being on a team with you last year in Misawa and would love a repeat of that experience, if you can venture back to the Far East. Enjoy your trip!
Hi, How great to hear from you. You must have heard me singing your praises all the way from The Netherlands. I talked good about you just this week to Terri Green, who was on the AFNorth team. Who knows where I will be next year for visits. Another trip your way would be nice. Getting ready to do schools in Dubai in 2 weeks. Hope you are doing great. Keep in touch.
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Hi there new reader. So nice to hear from you and to know you like my blogs. Please keep reading and commenting. It means alot!!