In Search of the Great Pumpkin

In Search of the Great Pumpkin

When I first moved to The Netherlands I knew that the holidays and traditions would be different but for me giving up Halloween was very difficult. Children in the States usually starting planning their costume on November 1^st (the day after Halloween), that’s if they’re not in too much of a sugar coma from the night before.

Me

As a kid I usually had to dress up in something that had been handed down from one of my sisters. And there was rarely a store bought costume in my closet. I remember being a bunny, a hobo, clown, gypsi but my favorite was the milkmaid.

Linus explains the Great Pumpkin in the beloved Halloween tale; It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! The Great Pumpkin is a fictional character that Linus ranks right up there with Santa and the Easter Bunny. Linus tells us that The Great Pumpkin comes out on Halloween night in search of the most perfect pumpkin patch. And when he finds it he bestows gifts upon the children (just like Santa)! Poor Linus sits in the local patch waiting and waiting for the arrival of The Great Pumpkin… all the while missing the Halloween parties, and tricks and treats.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRGkEDADmRU

Traditionally, here in The Netherlands, the Dutch celebrate Sint Maarten’s Day on November 11. St. Maarten was a friend of the children and a patron of the poor. Children in parts of The Netherlands make paper lanterns

 and carry them from house to house asking for candy. But, here in The Netherlands…. I think… Halloween is beginning to catch on…Very slowly but with a lot of enthusiasm. I mean, how you cannot love a holiday where you can dress up in costume and get free candy.

Over the years I’ve discovered local farmers that sell pumpkins and gourds along the side of their farms. I love it because then I’m able to bring a little fall into my home decorations. It also is just endearing to see the little stands along a fabulous fall bike ride. I’m not sure about other areas, but my local Carnival store is open year round. 

It’s a fabulous place to get costumes but they also have a huge isle of spooky, scary Halloween fun. It was so fun to see the kids trying to make the moving scary creatures cry out a cackle when they would move past the motion sensor. And I enjoyed their wonderment of all the scary skeletons and scary witch masks.  I love it!

This year I attended a few costume and Halloween parties. It really puts the fun into the holiday. One fabulous party was put on by the North American Women’s Club of Eindhoven http://www.nawceindhoven.com/ in conjunction with our local International hangout The Hub Eindhoven for Expats http://www.thehubeindhoven.nl/ .Three of my friends, Sam, Katja and Jessica, threw two wonderful Halloween parties.

Jessica, Sam & Katja

photo by Bart Salters

 One for children was held during the day. The children came dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes, got to Trunk or Treat, had their little adorable faces painted, carved pumpkins 

photo by Bart Salters

and took Broom Flying lessons. 

photo by Bart Salters

Such a wonderful time was had by the children. I’m sure they’re all wondering what to be for next year’s party.

Goodies by my friend Linda

 But that night… the lights came down, the adult beverages came out,

Prosecco with a shot of blood

 music filled the air as the Hub became filled with spooky, creepy, beautiful and funny creatures. 

Sam, Ruxi and I

Brendan in the Kill Room

And whether you’re 13 or 30 or any age for that matter, who can resist a night dancing to Thriller!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhbYxXg7p-A

I’m so happy that some areas in The Netherlands are embracing Halloween. Fun, spooky delights with costumes and candy. I think the Great Pumpkin will need to start looking for the perfect pumpkin patch on this side of the pond.

Happy Halloween!

Todd and I dressed as 
Vincent Vega and Mrs. Mia Wallace

My Daily Dutch

My Daily Dutch

Well for three years I’ve lived blissfully right below the radar screen of the Dutch Police, or what I believe to be the How to Speak Dutch ~ Police.  Those people who criticize you over and over with a single word. Waiting for you to either magically understand how to say the word correctly according to his or her hearing or with as much grace as you can muster find a bush to throw up in in order to not have to perform the grueling beating of trying to say the word correctly in Dutch for the 100^th time. 

The pronunciation of words or dialects around The Netherlands is as confusing as they are in the different parts of the United States. If you ask someone from Boston and someone from Mississippi to say the same sentence you will get two very confusing accents. Same here!

Well, apparently I’ve been here a few years and a few people around me have decided…that’s it! It’s time for me to learn. I still have not taken any formal Dutch classes… probably never will. I truly enjoy just getting out in my community and winging it. And my beautiful Dutch neighbors are just the people to teach me. The man at the local hardware store has decided to only speak Dutch to me. He’s pulling the band aid off and is pushing me ahead. I ask questions in English and he answers me in Dutch and waits for me to figure out what he’s said. It’s a good system, and really seems to work. 

The other day I was in his shop looking for an attachment to hook onto my bike so that my dog can run along with me while I bike. I have no idea what this little thing is called but he knew what I was talking about. He made a few phone calls and as I strolled around his store looking at things while he chatted away in Dutch to the other person, I suddenly heard the price of the little doo hicky and the tone in his voice. Hmmmmmm might be a tad expensive. I may have to check around. He was pleased with the fact that I knew the jest of the conversation. And I was pleased as well. 

I think I must have about 1-200 word Dutch vocabulary to my possession, which sounds like a lot but not really at all. But, I look around at all the brave people who have come after me and are doing great and I think… ok I can do this. Just please don’t give me any quizzes, tests or homework! And please don’t make me repeat a word 100 times.

A few days later I was having lunch in my village with a friend when I noticed my friendly hardware man placing an order. I called out hello to him and asked him if he was having a nice day, which of course… he smiled and answered in Dutch.  I switched to my limited Dutch, answered a few questions and bid him a fijn weekend.