The first Stock Exchange – the VOC Posted by Karoly Molina on Dec 21, 2016
The Netherlands can boast of many firsts in history that have changed the way we live and interact. One of these was right at the early stages of the country’s independence from Spain: the first stock exchange or the aandelenmarkt. First, a little history In the 1500s, Portugal was the leader of trade with the…
Trappen van Vergelijking – What’s The Tallest Tower? Posted by Sten on Dec 19, 2016
Big. Bigger. Biggest. Enthusiastic. More enthusiastic. Most enthusiastic. We all know these forms, these trappen van vergelijking (“stairs of comparison” – degrees of comparison). How do they look in Dutch? Find out here. The basics There are three degrees of comparison: positive (full, great, wide), comparative (fuller, greater, wider) and superlative (fullest, greatest, widest). Easy! This is…
Birthday Songs and Pie Posted by Karoly Molina on Dec 14, 2016
In the past years of living in the Netherlands, I have been intrigued by the birthday traditions. These are slightly different than what I had lived in the U.S. and in Mexico, but are gezellig none the less. Here are a few facts about celebrating your birthday in Dutch! Birthday songs Lang zal ze leven Lang…
Spreekwoorden en Uitdrukkingen (Sayings and Expressions) 4 – Blood! Posted by Sten on Dec 12, 2016
Back again with a new Spreekwoorden en Uitdrukkingen! Today, we will talk about blood. Because there are also sayings and expressions that include blood – they might not mean what you may think they mean, though! For other sayings and expressions in this series, click here. Het bloed kruipt waar het niet gaan kan The blood creeps…
Magical Christmas Markets in the Netherlands Posted by Karoly Molina on Dec 7, 2016
December is here and the Netherlands is in full swing of winter / Christmas activities. There are many places to go and things to eat so get your winter jacket ready to hit the town! Kerstmarkten Many cities and towns have begun setting up their Kerstmarkten. Greatly influenced by the German Christmas markets, Dutch markets…
Verhalentijd – Sinterklaas komt! Posted by Sten on Dec 6, 2016
Het is pakjesavond! Tonight, Sinterklaas comes (or has already come) to the house of many children in the Netherlands to deliver gifts. Let’s join him on this great journey through the country! On the German blog, I already feature a short story segment, called Zeit für eine Geschichte (time for a story), and I want to do…
100 years of Schiphol Posted by Karoly Molina on Nov 30, 2016
For many of us, Schiphol has been the first piece of the Netherlands that we encountered. The vast size of the airport is felt on the long walk from the plane to the exit gates each time you fly into Schiphol. This year, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol celebrates its 100 years of existence as the gateway of…