Tag Archives: culture
Dutch Political System in a Nutshell Posted by sarah on Mar 22, 2010
One of the benefits of learning a foreign language is that once you do, you find yourself getting more involved in the culture than you could otherwise. Yes, many people in the Netherlands speak English on some level or another, but generally all the interesting Dutch stuff happens in Dutch. One of those interesting things…
Enkhuizen and Hoorn Posted by sarah on Feb 25, 2010
A few weeks ago I managed to get out of Amsterdam, which I try to make a regular habit of. For this trip, I decided to head north, since the last few trips I have taken have landed me in the south. One of the great things about the Netherlands is just how easy it…
Sinterklaas, Santa Claus… Same, same, but different? Posted by noortje on Feb 23, 2010
If you are a bit familiar with the Dutch culture, you probably heard about Sinterklaas, an old man with a white beard who gives presents to good kids on the night of December fifth. And if you did hear of him, you might also wonder what the difference is between him and Santa Claus, because…
Geert Mak : A Short History about Amsterdam Posted by sarah on Feb 21, 2010
Geert Mak is a Dutch author and historian who writes mostly about the history of the Netherlands, though has also written quite extensively on European history. One of the reasons I really like Geert Mak as an author is that his use of language is superb. His writing is thoughtful and also thought provoking. …
Fietsen : Cycling in the Netherlands Posted by sarah on Feb 19, 2010
In the Netherlands, cycling is not just something fun to do on the weekends, but it is a way of life. For the Dutch, cycling is like breathing: you just do it. But what you may not know is that in the urban centers, cycling can become a real mess if you aren’t sure of…
Why are the Dutch so tall? Posted by noortje on Feb 17, 2010
As a Dutch woman traveling over the world, one thing always stands out: my height. Although I am not extremely tall in Holland (1.75m), in every other country I am always the giant between the midgets. About 150 years ago the Dutch were one of the smallest people in the world, but now the average…
How to use a Kaasschaaf Posted by sarah on Feb 11, 2010
We all know that the Dutch provide us with plenty of cheese for our enjoyment. All kinds of cheese, from all over the country, absolutely delicious. But how does one go about slicing these cheeses, especially when they are purchased as a triangular block? This is why the Dutch have a kaasschaaf, a special kitchen…