Het beste Sint Posted by Elena on Dec 5, 2010
Dear readers and learners of the Dutch language! Tonight is an important night in Nederland. If you hear a knock on your door this evening, you may find a big burlap sack full of presents, molting in the snow. If you’re quick enough, you may catch Zwarte Piet before he disappears: that is to say, you may catch one…
Slaap je niet lekker? Posted by Elena on Nov 14, 2010
I don’t think it is going too far to observe that, in general, the Dutch are a people of strong, often inflexible opinions. The imposition of those opinions on friends, family and casual bystanders is not uncommon. In my experience, a subject that consistently draws expressions from that staunch Dutch well of opinion is sleep. …
Recipe Potatoes and Cheese Posted by noortje on Oct 29, 2010
The Dutch are potatoes and cheese eaters. Therefore it is no surprise that we like the combine them. This is a recipe for, guess what, potatoes with cheese. It’s an incredible easy dish based on four people and takes about 25-30 minutes to prepare. Ingredients 1 kilo potatoes (preferably ‘bintjes’) 500-700 gram young cheese salt…
Killing the walrus with Fungus Posted by Elena on Oct 25, 2010
In sifting through old emails, I recently rediscovered a traditional Dutch song called “Kaap’ren Varen,” as re-imagined by the 1970’s folk-rock group Fungus. I learn from the internet that they came from Eindhoven, and that they played and wrote songs mostly for werkend en werklose mannen – working and out-of-work men. I can imagine that…
Top 5 things to see and do in Utrecht Posted by noortje on Oct 13, 2010
Amsterdam is overrated. At least I, a city-of-Utrecht-lover, thinks so. Therefore I present 5 sights/museums that should convince you to visit this lovely city of mine. Domtoren It’s the trademark of Utrecht: de Domtoren (the Dom tower). You can find this beautiful church in the center of Utrecht, on a square called the Domplein. It…
Dutch fashion designers Viktor and Rolf Posted by noortje on Oct 13, 2010
I am not sure if Viktor and Rolf are proud to be Dutch, but I do know the Dutch are proud to ‘have’ Viktor and Rolf. For those of you who have no idea who those two icons are: they are a designer duo. Let me tell you a bit more about these extravagant people…
Recipe Chicken Curry Posted by noortje on Oct 13, 2010
I know, a meal with chicken, curry and rice does not sound that Dutch, because where are the potatoes? But it is and also one of my personal favorites. So let me tell you how to make this meal yourself. There are more difficult ways and easy ways to do it, so I picked a…