My Little Dutch ABC Book ~ A

My Little Dutch ABC Book

A

Aardappel ~ Potato This is a great word to know as you will see and use it often. My most favorite part about the aardappels in The Netherlands is that apparently the people listened when Vincent van Gogh painted his famous paintings

The Potato Eaters in 1885

 and his painting 

The Potato Peeler 1885

  These painting were part of his famous series of Peasant Character Studies. When Vincent said peel and eat potatoes… the people of The Netherlands did… and so I have not had to peel any potatoes while I have lived here. 

I love it! They come in a variety of shapes 

Boiled

and sizes 

Mashed

and delicious dishes ready to be heated and served. 

Au gratin

But what ever you do... don't forget the frietjes and mayo!

Trip Trap Trip Trap~ Falling Down the Dutch Steps!

Trip Trap Trip Trap~ Falling Down the Dutch Steps!

One Snowy day a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a great idea to get outside to take some pictures of my beautiful Dutch home covered with a new blanket of snow. It was absolutely stunning.  Overnight, a few inches of fresh snow had fallen and surprised us in the morning. But being that it was still morning and I was still enjoying my morning cup of Joe, I hastily threw on my Sperry’s (they are boat shoes after all… water resistant) and grabbed my winter coat. Clicking a few pics in the back then coming through the house to head out front. I peeked outside carefully to see if anyone was around… then crept out in my pjs. That’s when I reached the top of my front porch steps, slipped, slammed onto my foot and fell all the way down. Luckily it was only 3 steps but they are made out of concrete…. So 3 was plenty! Scraped and bruised, I limped back into the house thankful that my neighbors hadn’t been out walking their dogs while I put on what for sure must have looked like a scene from a downhill Olympic skiing event crash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7frGJf77AA

In my current house I do not have the typical scary vertical steps. They are very forgiving but they only have a rail on one side. The other side of the stairs is open. Really quite beautiful but I cling to the rail on the way down. A tad frightening in the middle of the night.

When we were first moving here and we were looking for a house, I was shocked by the stairs or trap as the Dutch call them. 

And to me, that’s exactly what they are like… a trap waiting for me to fall down. 

 A lot of the houses we were looking at were row houses proudly sitting next to each other along beautiful Dutch streets. Tall and skinny… just how the heck would we ever get our furniture up those freighting stairs? But the ingenious Dutch have that figured out as well. On the front of some homes are hooks or hijsbalk that pull the furniture up and through the windows. Several things in our first house had to go through the back up and over a balcony and through a double door. I have no clue how they got my daughter’s furniture to the attic floor. I just decided they knew what they were doing and went to unpack boxes. Sometimes it’s best not to look.

Over the years now, I’ve been up and down many Dutch stairs. My favorite have been the stairs at the Anne Frank home in Amsterdam. You are so overwhelmed by the history that you forget that you are practically scaling a small mountain.

And of course I loved climbing up and down my husband’s man cave apartment stairs when he first moved here to The Netherlands. I literally had to hold the stairs in front of me and climb up like a ladder.

If you’re not climbing up and trying to not have a heart attack or ask for an oxygen mask at the high altitude levels, then you are on your way back down and trying to figure out how to position your feet as not to scrape the back of your heel or fall flat on your face.

Four weeks later and no medal in hand, I’m finally ready to tackle those Dutch stairs!! After the thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat.. I'm ready to try again!!! Oh and by the way... I didn't drop my camera! 

Victory is mine! 

Life Without a Drive Through Lane

Life Without a Drive Through Lane

This morning I was reading an article on the web called “10 habits you should pick up from your grandmother”. It got me thinking about my grandma and how different life is for me than it was for her. 

But I also was thinking about the fact that she never learned how to drive. She walked everywhere she went. We lived in a small little town so things were pretty accessible by foot. She was a school cafeteria cook and walked every day to work and then walked across town to our home so she could babysit me after school. Friends and family would always give her a ride if she needed one but for the most part, she walked. Kind of Dutch… she didn’t ride a bike but yep she was outside living life.

Well, for the past few months I’ve been in the States. My oldest little one was getting married so I was busy being the MOB (mother of the bride). 

With all the little details and busy busy work, I slipped quickly back into my American ways. Let’s see… I need to get some candle holders (hmmmmmm I’d love a cold drink from Sonic! 

You know.. I’m all about the ice, ‘bout the ice,  ~ No treble!) Hey Mom.. where are we going to lunch today? 

Well… we’re busy.. better go to  some place quick. 

Besides being insanely unhealthy to dine out all the time, it’s expensive. The convenience factor is so over the top in America and yet so hard to pass up as you drive past. The blaring lights beckoning you from the roads to pull over to their restaurant or they pump the smell of something yummy into the air so as you drive past you smell French fries or bread! When we weren’t driving thru, we were parking really close. Oh and the parking is free (usually).

Living in The Netherlands is quite different. First of all, the amount of bikers here is just shocking. 

The Dutch are like the US postal service unofficial motto… "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." - Herodotus, 503 B.C. (Inscribed on the General Post Office facility on 33rd Street and 8th Avenue in New York City.) (Source: USPS). 

The Dutch bike through all weather. And if they’re not bike… they’re walking. If you are driving past any normal village, city or town during lunch hour you will see tons of people walking around enjoying their sandwich 

or whatever while they go for a walk. Just a great excuse to get out in the air and hopefully a little sun. Most of the Dutch that I know bring their lunch to work with them from home. It’s cost effective and fast to eat which gives them more time to walk around outside or get work done earlier so they can get home to be with their families. This is just a great way to live. 

I mean if you’re bloated down with your McDonald’s lunch or 

Life Without a Drive Through Lane

Taco Bell delight you’ll be overly stuffed and have a hard afternoon being productive for your company. I remember being a small child and walking home from school to have lunch at home. The meal or sandwich was prepared and eaten. Then there was plenty of extra time to take a small nap or even play outside before walking back to school. There should be more of this in adulthood… even the nap. Even if it’s a ten minute recharge.

When we do dine out in the city.. There is rarely a drive through. Sure there’s a McDonald’s but not our idea of a fun Friday night. So we drive to the centrum, pay to park and then have to walk several blocks to the restaurant.

 Walking back to the car at the end of the night is definitely a great way to burn off those calories after a meal. And those people that live closer to the centrum will usually bike into the centrum for dinner. You get to park your bike for free and much, much closer to the restaurant.

Living life without a drive through…. Sounds like a move in the right direction. 

Starry Starry Night ~ My love for Vincent

Starry Starry Night

My love for Vincent

'Starry Night' by Vincent van Gogh (1889)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkvLq0TYiwI

When I first arrived in The Netherlands, I discovered that Vincent VanGogh had spent quite a bit of time in the Noord Brabandt area from 1883-1885. He lived in Nuenen, which is only about 15 minutes from my home. I love when visitors come to see me. This is usually one of our first stops. A little trip to Nueunen to the Vincentre. His painting are not there but the museum does a wonderful job of telling his life story. It's a short little display and you can get ear pieces in different languages. There is also a very nice little shop to buy a little souvenir for a friend or a gift for yourself. 

http://www.vangoghvillagenuenen.nl/the-vincentre.aspx

http://www.vangoghvillagenuenen.nl/the-vincentre/shop.aspx

Some of my favorite moments have been listening to stories about this man and the way he discovered himself in his paintings. He was a very confused little soul but what a gift he left for the rest of the world. Thank you Dear Vincent. 

Now in Nuenen is a new fietspad that lights up at night. Designer Dann Roosegaarde vision of Van Gogh's Starry Night's painting is now lighting up the Dutch heart's and soul's. 

Follow along and listen to the night... the Starry Starry Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68cdc27HWg#t=51

New Year's Eve Fireworks in The Netherlands~ I'm Not a Fan!

Tic Tic Boom!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bZeeoO0nnI 

Every New Years eve in  the great land of windmills and tulips... the crazies come out of hiding. People who on a normal day would bike their children to and from school, bike to the market and to work, shop or enjoy coffee or a meal with a good friend somehow lose their mind when it comes to celebrating New Years Eve. Parents, young young children, teens and even older people shoot off their own display of firework celebrations. Now mind you most people in the world enjoy a good fireworks show. But most do not have in their possession mounds and mounds of fireworks or even professional grade displays.

The calm peaceful beautiful people of The Netherlands who on a normal day take the responsibility of having a pet better than anyone I've ever seen somehow think this kind of celebration is ok for a dog or a cat. On this night of insanity.. it's definitely a night to put your beloved 4 legged family members inside for the night in an area where they will be safe and secure.

 I have only heard stories and seen pictures of the actual New Year's Eve craziness but I have witnessed it days after it was over plus the mess people make during their celebration. One night a few days after, I was driving through the little town of Schijk. Children of about the age of 6 or 7 were shooting rocket type fireworks AT cars as they passed by. They didn't hit my car but I have to say it scared the crap out of me!!!  I looked for the parents... none to be found. They were all in the bar! Really?!

I've heard of people loosing fingers, hands, eye sight... and even their lives. Countless animals are injured in the blasting, but it still continues. I guess everyone always thinks it will happen to someone else. There has to be a safer way to celebrate without blowing yourself  or others up. 

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.