Christmas in Leiden

After Schiermonnikoog, I spent Christmas in Leiden with Matt, the other Rotary scholar, and other friends who stayed here for the holidays. We cooked Christmas dinner, and open New Zealander Christmas crackers. We even made our own paper snowflakes to remind us of a "white Christmas." Paul and I later that night went to Christmas Eve Mass.



On Christmas Day, I had Christmas lunch with Matt and his friend Ryan. Although it wasn't the same as being at home, it was good to spend it with friends.

Schiermonnikoog

It was in August when I arrived to Holland and met my new friends. It's amazing how fast time flies. We all agreed that the time was too short, but definitely glad that the semester and exams were over. To help relax after exams, some friends and I took a trip to one of the northern Dutch islands, Schiermonnikoog. It was truly beautiful, and probably one of the best trips I have taken. The group was truly international including myself from the US, Barbara from Slovenia, Emma from Holland, Paul from New Zealand, and Cem from Turkey.

No cars are allowed on the island so it was very nice and peaceful. We cooked good food, enjoyed good wine, relaxed, and enjoyed each others' company. It was a nice feeling to not have the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or even the fast pace schedule of sightseeing when traveling. This is a place that I will definitely return to in the future.

Sinterklaas

In the United States, Christmas is the day around the winter holiday that gifts are given. In many cultures in Europe, including Holland, St. Nicholas Day is more a time to give gifts than Christmas. St. Nicholas in Dutch is Sinterklaas.

In Holland, Sinterklaas comes in November. There's a long story about who he is, where he comes from, and who is helpers are. Each story is a little different from the other, but they all include Sinterklaas in a red suit with a white beard. He's slim, not fat. And he doesn't have elves, but zwarte piets.

I also had the chance to run into Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piets; however, I think I'm a little too old to believe that the one I met was the real one ... if there is a real one ...