Sinterklaas

This past Saturday my boss Jennifer invited me to her town Naarden. I met her husband Marque and two kids Zoe (9)and Finn (6). Zoe can understand English but will respond in Dutch. Finn does not understand it but that did not stop us from communicating. We played a lot of games and laughed a lot! Here is funny picture of the two of us!

That evening we went by bike into town - YES I rode a bike over here. Felt more comfortable since it was in a smaller town. Still have not gone on my own in Amsterdam. For those of you reading this who have not been to Amsterdam you can't judge! I rode bike for years back home but am scared to do it here. Lots of rules and bikers rule the street! Very intimidating. It was an exciting night because SINTERKLAAS arrived. Sinterklaas is similar to Santa. He arrived by boat and then there was a parade. In the town when you are in the 4th year of school you get to be in the parade. There were 5 schools that participated and each float was a theme. This year they were continents! North America was one of them. There was someone dressed up as the statue of liberty, Indian, and cowboy. Plus a US, CA and MX flag!



After the parade we went to a local restaurant and I ordered a saute with is a common dinner. Chicken skewer with peanut sauce. Also had red wine! Spent a few hours after at their house chatting. Before the kids went to bed they put their shoes out with a carrot in it for Sinterklaas's horse. Also left some water. They do not get a present every night but a few times before Saint Nicholas Day (December 5th.) 

SinterklaasSinterklaasSinterklaas is an elderly, stately and serious man with white hair and a long, full beard. He wears a long red cape or chasuble over a traditional white bishop's alb and sometimes red stola, dons a red mitre and ruby ring, and holds a gold-coloured crosier, a long ceremonial shepherd's staff with a fancy curled top.

He traditionally rides a white horse. In the Netherlands, the horse is called Amerigo, and in Belgium, it is named Slecht Weer Vandaag, meaning "Bad Weather Today".[2]

Sinterklaas carries a big book that tells whether each child has been good or naughty in the past year.

Here is more information about Sinterklaas-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas

Was a fun weekend. Now looking forward to my THANKSGIVING VISITORS! Steve and Renae are coming to visit and I am THRILLED! Will be fun to have company. Planning to go to the Christmas markets in Germany. Will post lots of pictures next week.