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SALT LAKE CITY - Rod Zundel met up with the Flying Dutchman Francisco Elson at the Old Dutch Store to learn about the native Dutchman and his country the Netherlands.
As an introduction to Elson's Dutch past, Elson asked Rod to try a pickled herring.
After teaching Rod to lean his head back, Elson encouraged him to lower the pickled herring into his mouth. Upon putting the herring in his mouth, Rod gave an intriguing face, as Elson sat watching.
Laughing at the faces Rod was making, Elson looked into the camera and said, "He's making a face like he doesn't like it." Laughing more, he asked, "Is it good?"
Rod replied, "I guess you have to acquire that taste, don't you?"
Elson continued to describe the Netherlands and the variety of foods that he commonly ate, such as licorice and crackers.
He then related an experience when he asked Raja Bell to try some of his licorice, but Bell instantly spit it out. Glaring at the camera, Elson said, "He's lucky he's on my team."
Elson was raised in Rotterdam, Netherlands and speaks six different languages. He explained that Rotterdam is the largest harbor in Europe. As the second oldest player on the Jazz at 34, Elson brings championship experience to the Jazz after winning a title with the San Antonio Spurs.
