A different world
December 5th is a big day in the Netherlands: it is Sinterklaas' birthday (Saint Nocholas), the day when he gives presents to all kids who were good before he goes back to Spain on his boat accompanied by the black Petes and the naughty kids they caught and put in their bags to take back with them. Now I think of it, this tradition is probably the reason why the Dutch give presents to others when it's their birthday. They do get some too of course but it was a surprise to me when I got to the Netherlands to discover that you have to celebrate your own birthday by sharing with others. So for instance, kids give little goody bags to their friends when they have a birthday party and adults buy a cake to share at work. Another funny thing is that one doesn't only wish a happy birthday to the person whose birthday it is, but also congratulates relatives for that person's birthday. So for instance people congratulate me when it's Chloe's birthday....weird, huh?
Anyway, this has nothing to do with Sinterklaas coming to Chloe's school on december 5th. Despite the cold, it was a nice little gathering with kids playing music and singing along to traditional songs, which everyone knew except of for me...oups...but come on, I know I have been in Holland for 7 years now but I am not going to learn those songs at my age, right? And you all know, it's better I don't sing anyway. It would just embarass Chloe to death in front of all her school friends.
Anyway, back to our story. What I found the most amazing was the belief Chloe showed in the whole story, how many times she asked if she had been good enough to get presents, how scared she was of the black Petes even though the distribute sweets and cookies, just in case they would take her in their bag, how impressed she was with Sinterklaas and how much she talked about it for a couple of weeks...I know it's the same for all other kids here but it's so sweet, so innocent, such a different world to be in...Don't grow too fast my little girl.
Anyway, this has nothing to do with Sinterklaas coming to Chloe's school on december 5th. Despite the cold, it was a nice little gathering with kids playing music and singing along to traditional songs, which everyone knew except of for me...oups...but come on, I know I have been in Holland for 7 years now but I am not going to learn those songs at my age, right? And you all know, it's better I don't sing anyway. It would just embarass Chloe to death in front of all her school friends.
Anyway, back to our story. What I found the most amazing was the belief Chloe showed in the whole story, how many times she asked if she had been good enough to get presents, how scared she was of the black Petes even though the distribute sweets and cookies, just in case they would take her in their bag, how impressed she was with Sinterklaas and how much she talked about it for a couple of weeks...I know it's the same for all other kids here but it's so sweet, so innocent, such a different world to be in...Don't grow too fast my little girl.
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