Wordless Wednesday

Champions League - Ajax

In order to understand the culture you have to appreciate the games they love and play and there is no more important game to the Dutch than Voetball (Soccer).  Soccer has been called the ballet of the masses and is truly an art form when played at the highest level.  There is no higher level in the world than the Champions League so I purchsed tickets to all 3 of Ajax's (the Dutch champion) Champions League matches.  The first game was against Olympique Lyonnaise and the game ended 0 - 0.  The second game was against Dinamo Zagreb and Ajax prevailed 4 - 0 with some spectacular goals.  The final match is against Real Madrid.

Photos from my seat.

A photo of what I would call the "student" section.  These diehards sang and jumped the whole game. Very much like the Cameron Crazies.

At halftime the whole crowd sings Bob Marley which is rather surreal being in Amsterdam :)

Sacre Coeur and Moulin Rouge

Sacre Coeur is a popular landmark in Paris, the basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. It was also home to our first encounter with the slot like donation machines.  It was very odd to go inside this historic building and see slot machine looking contraptions where you could make a donation and then see Nuns surrouded by security emptying them.  It was quite the hike to get to the Sacre Coeur but it was well worth it.

A view of Sacre Coeur from the center of Paris.

Sacre Coeur up close

A few views from Sacre Coeur

Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya dada (Hey hey hey)

Giuchie, Giuchie, ya ya here (here)
Mocha Chocalata ya ya (oh yea)
Creole lady Marmalade

Rome was Burning

Our recent trip to Rome happened to coincide with the Occupy Wall Street protest that was going on.  Unfortunately a group of anarchists took the opportunity to get involved as well.  We were on our way back from Ostia Antica (more on that trip in a follow up post) we were unaware anything was going on, when we had to wait and wait for a bus.  We decided to hop another bus that was going in the same general direction the bus was supposed to take us.  During the ride we found out why the other bus was not running.

This was our first view of SWAT teams lining the streets, further in the background were about 10,000 people coming this direction.

As we traveled further we saw the dark smoke cloud in the distance.

This is the view from the backside of Palatine Hill. At this point we thought someone may have bombed the Colloseum as it is located in the direction of the black smoke.

We subsequently learned of the protests and that the fire was from the burning of a ministry building and cars beyond the Colloseum.

SWAT teams were out everywhere.

Most of the main thoroughfares were closed as well.

A few days later we saw some of the damage that went on for blocks and blocks.

What's in a name?

There are many interesting looking and sounding Dutch last names. Over the last few months, I have heard and seen quite a few funny ones! There is a good story behind these names. It begins in the 1800's when Napoleon was occupying The Netherlands. At that time many people were just adding "_____'s daughter/son" or "from (insert hometown here)" to their first name to identify themselves. Well, Napoleon did not think this was enough so he signed a law requiring all Dutch to choose and register a last name. So when chosing the last names many chose something descriptive. These include Van Buren (from Buren), Bakker (Baker), Visser (Fisherman), Vandenberg (From the hill), etc. Then there are the unfortunate names like Kip (chicken), Goedkoop (cheap), Beenhakke (leg chopper), Kaasenbrood (cheese bread), Aarsman (ass man), and my favorite Naaktgeboren (born naked). It is said that these less attractive names are around because people didn't think the last names would stick around after Napoleon was gone and they could go back to their way. Ooops!

A Politically Incorrect Christmas

In The Netherlands, Sinterklaas Eve (St Nicholas Eve) is celebrated on Debember 5th, the day before Sinterklaas' birthday, with much celebration. Sinterklass is an older man with long white hair, a beard, and dresses much like a pope. He is also said to be a fairly serious man. The Zwarte Pieten on the other hand are a bit more whimsical. They dress much like a jester, with the addition of an afro and blackface (yep, blackface). Zwarte Pieten jump around and act quite silly (even in the middle of a church service).

Weeks before his birthday Sinterklaas travels to The Netherlands from Spain (where he lives) by boat with his helpers (slaves), the Zwarte Pieten (Black Petes). Below is the announcement from our local paper letting everyone know when Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten will arive in our little town.

For the next few weeks, he travels the country by horse to find out if the children have been well behaved or not. During this time children put their shoe near the fireplace with a bit of hay or a carrot for his horse. In the morning the good little children will find a small treat in its place. The treats are usually similar to the following: peppernoten (small spice cookie), chocolate formed into the letter of your first name, or pastries. This can continue each night until the 5th. Now, if you have been naughty watch out because the Zwarte Pieten will spank you with a stick and might even toss you in their burlap sack and take you back to Spain (I couldn't make up this stuff if I tried!). In adition to these treats there are also gifts received but only on the 5th The gifts for the children are delivered by Sinterklaas to your front door, but of course he does not have time to wait and hand deliver them so he rings the bells and leaves them on the stoop. Gifts are also exchanged by adults on Sinterklaas Eve. Names are drawn so only one gift is brought by each person. Your present must be wrapped creatively (anything but wrapping paper) and should have a poem attached. The poem cantains hints about the gift and lyrics making fun of the reciever. This poem is read aloud before opening the gift.

 To view better pictures of Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Piet, click HERE.