Archive for 'Culture'
De minibieb! Posted by Sten on May 26, 2015
A new phenomenon appears more and more in the Netherlands: De minibieb! A minibieb is a mini library, to make up for normal libraries that close more and more. Libraries in the Netherlands are often owned by the local government, or municipality. Normally, people have a library pass they pay for, and then they can borrow…
National Windmill Day (Because such a day exists in the Netherlands!) Posted by Karoly Molina on May 14, 2015
This past weekend was “National Windmill Day” or Nationale Molendag in the Netherlands. The approximately 900 windmills in the Netherlands were open for people to visit, and many people made a day of it! By coincidence, Riccardo and I had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants in Beek which is right in front of a…
Its Never Too Late for a Happy Childhood Posted by Karoly Molina on Apr 30, 2015
Today is Children’s Day in Mexico and I’ve found myself very thoughtful about my childhood. I haven’t been able to experience much of childhood in the Netherlands other than what Riccardo tells me and what I observe. Even so, with what I have been able to observe, I have come up with this list of…
Paasvuren – Easter Fires Posted by Sten on Apr 23, 2015
A very, very old tradition that ignites the east of the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, notably Germany, every Easter – paasvuren! Throughout the year, a small group collects snoeihout – branches, twigs, and other bits of wood – and creates a pile. When the night falls during Easter, the fire is set on fire. This fire is…
Buying a House: The finishing touches! Posted by Karoly Molina on Apr 15, 2015
Continuing the Buying a House series (house-hunting, financing and renovating), this post deals with the finishing touches while renovating a house. Like I mentioned in the renovating post, Riccardo and I had to do a lot of research and ask ourselves several questions in order to make the best choices for our home in the…
Is it time for Rokjesdag? Posted by Sten on Apr 10, 2015
It is April! Some of you might think of spring coming up (although April sometimes bodes for some strange weather), others might think of April Fools’ Day. And again others might think of Rokjesdag (Skirt Day). This April 10 is a beautiful day for Rokjesdag, it appears… Sunny, not too windy… but it is a Friday! Huh? What?…
The Dutch kind of Humanitarian Aid – Bikes for Refugees! Posted by Sten on Mar 30, 2015
What could be more Dutch to give than… fietsen? The Dutch Minister voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (Minister for Development Cooperation) Ploumen visited a refugee camp in Jordan, the Al Za’Atari camp, to be precise. Most of these are refugees from Syria, and the camp has been there for 3 years now. People start living there, rather than just searching refuge…