The first time I travelled to the Netherlands was in the spring of 2000. I took the train up from France, which gave me plenty of time and an excellent vantage point for studying the BENELUX countryside.

What I remember best about the Dutch countryside, which of course I see all the time now, are the farm houses with the high-tech wind generators. It seemed to me a combination of old fashioned and high-tech.

And then came the egg vending machines. -Though not super high tech, some resourceful farmers have been using vending machines to sell their eggs. Restocking them periodically during the day, you can come by, throw some coins in the slot, and take some fresh eggs home.

So far I've heard of the "Eierenautomaat" or... "Egg Machine" being located in a town called Voorthuizen. There is another located just south of Utrecht in Culemborg. If you can hitch a ride or you've rented a car, then considering how small these towns are, you're likely to find these egg machines. Maybe make yourself an egg sandwich while you're there, and savor the flavor while laughing about those clever Dutch farmers and their ideas.