April 19, 2011

There are lots of reasons I think living in the Netherlands would be neat.

Not only is my boyfriend Dutch, but they also have a crazy-cool language, delicious food (except the goat's feet) and a fascinating culture.

Oh, and they also have Sinterklaas


Don't let his kind face fool you.

Even though he kind of looks like Santa Claus, he and his Black Pete's show up on December 5th on a barge and leaves sweets and oranges in the shoes of good children, an will either put you in a sack and beat you with a switch if you're bad, or he'll put you in a bag and take you back to Spain.

(because apparently that's where Sinterklaas comes from)

And while that whole side of things is kind of weird I'm kind of loving this huge celebration with a guy who looks like the Pope riding around on a white horse

(or sometimes a bike, apparently)

and doling out sweets and threatening to kidnap children.

And, okay, while he doesn't actually do that for real it really seems to be a good reason to stay in line, don't you think? Personally the idea of an old man beating me with a switch or kidnapping me is more of a reason be good than just not getting any toys that year.

Plus he gives out tasty chocolate letters that match the first letter of your name
(one of which I got from Ty's family for Christmas -cute!)

This guy totally blows fat, boring old Santa Claus out of the water.
How do the Dutch be so cool?