it is almost christmas here... but they do sinterklaas here. christmas is not that big, but it is gaining attention. here is the wikipedia explanation of sinterklaas...
SINTERKLAAS is a holiday tradition in the Netherlands and Belgium, celebrated every year on Saint Nicholas' eve (December 5) or, in Belgium, on the morning of December 6. The feast celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas' Eve, (December 5) is the chief occasion for gift-giving. The evening is called pakjesavond ("presents' evening"). Traditionally, presents are ingeniously wrapped, and are therefore called surprises. Also, presents are traditionally accompanied by a poem from Saint Nicholas.
so, what they don't well you here is that sinterklaas enters the city about 3 weeks before the 5th (so this past sunday) in a huge parade, and he is accompanied by "swarte piete"s... people in black face that are essentially elves. ...oh. my. gosh... needless to say, this is a real culture shock. doesn't seem quite right somehow... if do some research, there is actually some interesting history behind it, but it is still really awkward.
note the contrast in this picture...
so, all of the little kids are looking at sinterklaas as he is riding into town, and yelling "Piete! Piete! Piete!" so that he will come by and give them UNWRAPPED cookies and candy FROM THEIR UNGLOVED HANDS and put it into their bags to take home and eat. too funny. we laughed a ton and shea got a ton of cookies. welcome to sinterklaas.
dude... a whole float.
very impressive wheeling, and some form of princesses....
More to come after the 5th of December on that...
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