The land of cranberries

The island of Terschelling, in the Dutch Waddenzee, is famous for its cranberry delicacies. It did not really occur to me how how famous or how ubiquitous before I realised that the umpteenth meal I was served there contained the ump^2-iest version of cranberries I had been served. They make cranberry jam, cranberry cake, cranberry juice, cranberry liquor, cranberry you-name-it-and-they-got-it!

Illustration courtesy: Vinkes Web - Cranberries

Speculaas

There is a traditional Dutch type of cake or cookie called Speculaas. It is usually served and eaten by old and young around the festivities of Sinterklaas (Dec 5th). However, the supermarkets start promoting and selling speculaas along with all of the traditional Sinterklaas and christmas candy already now - in September!
I understand that Sinterklaas is earlier than christmas, and the real enthusiasts would like to start preparations and celebrations early, but three months of eating Speculaas???

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

Salsa Groupie

Since I started dancing L.A. style salsa (summer 2006) I have been a frequent visitor at the SalsaTipica parties and practice mondays. This easter I finally signed up for a course, so now I am an official SalsaTipica groupie. Not only does it give a discount at Tipica parties, but also other advantages, such as being part of the crowd cheering for Manoah and Femke at the Dutch Open Salsa Championships. Wish them success for the competition tonight!

Photo courtesy: Kati van Helden

First driving lesson

Yesterday I had my first driving lesson. Cool!

Illustration courtesy: Dutch road signs by Pieter Jan

Walk around the christmas tree

For some reason it is custom in Denmark, but not in the Netherlands, to walk around the christmas tree while singing the christmas songs. My Dutch colleagues hardly believed me when I told them, so I made sure to get some proof using the camera on my phone to both take pictures and record a video of people walking round the tree while singing.

Cloves in oranges

I never knew that it was a special Danish christmas tradition until I presented the idea for my Dutch housemates: In Denmark we put cloves in oranges for christmas for the scent and decoration. Often the oranges are also decorated or hung up by red silk ribbons.

My housemates now think Danes are crazy as far as christmas traditions goes...

Illustration and step-by-step instructions from Ask-Alex.dk

Danish christmas decorations

I am glad the Dutch are not as crazy as the danes as far as christmas decorations on the house is concerned (decorating the house for the World Football Championships is a completely different story). The Danish television channel TV2 have made a collection of the most decorated houses they could find all over Denmark. Most of them I find quite ugly, over-decorated. In the Netherlands you mostly find houses decorated with lights around the 'edges' of the house, like a cake-house decorated with white icing. That is more to my taste.

Photo courtesy: Wereldpagina.nl by Jørgen Schytte