On the Move...: November 2006

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Dutch Culture (photo borrowed from internet)

Sinterklaas

I have yet to see Sinterklaas since we were in Italy at the time of his arrival. I found the above photo on the internet.

Sinterklaas arrived by steamboat from the South of Spain (where he lives) on Nov. 18th this year. He rides a great white horse followed by a large parade with hundreds of Zwarte Pieten. Every night until Dec. 5th, the children set out their shoes by the fireplace or front door. Zwarte Piet runs over the roof tops listening at the chimneys for children singing traditional songs & drops (each night, every other night, or however often) sweets or a small gift in the waiting shoe.

December 5th:

On this night, a loud knock is heard at the door. When the front door is opened, a large sack of presents mysteriously appears. The presents are unwrapped as someone reads a poem which in Dutch tradition accompanies each gift. Family & friends write verses (and read them aloud) about each other, poking fun at personalites, foibles, jobs or other experiences, signed: Sint.

Sinterklaas quickly leaves Holland on Dec. 6th to return to the South of Spain until the next year.

Zwarte Pieten

(Black Petes / Sinter Klaas' helpers)
The Zwarte Pietes, I have read, are actually Moors: chased into the Sierra Nevada by the Catholic Spaniards in the 15th century, they apparently sought gainful employment in the services of St. Nicholas. Some also say that the Zwarte Pietes were slaves, but in recent times they claim the dark face is due to descending down the chimneys.

Oh, another note...Parents used to tell their children that if they have been good, Zwarte Piet will bring them gifts & sweets; but if they have been bad, Piet will scoop them up, stuff them in his huge dufflebag & spirit them away to Spain for a year.

Children dressed up as Zwarte Pieten
Look closely for their "coal smudged" faces.

Kalverstraat
Touristy area, but many locals shop here as well. This long narrow street is filled with individual shops, much like an outdoor mall.

Photos of Flower Market

(Holland is the #1 exporter of flowers in the world.)

Me at the Flower Market
Just behind me, on the left, is the Flower Market. Notice how the back of each of the buildings float on the canal. You can find just about any flower...as well as cannibas seeds...at the Flower Market.

The Royal Residence
Actually, the Royals live in The Hague. They use this residence only when they are in town. It's in the heart of Dam Square & is flooded by tourists & performers daily.

Performers in Dam Square

In the same square as the Royal Residence, this touristy area is in the center of the city and just a short 10 min. walk from our apartment.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Parli Inglese?

Grazie! Grazie!

Just a short hour & 25 min flight, Mark & I head to Milan for the weekend!

Castello Sforzesco
Surrounded by a moat, this building is a 19th century reconstruction of the 15th century fortress built by the Sforzas, who succeeded the Viscontis as lords of Milan. It houses collections of art including Michelangelo's Rondanini Pitea, his last work, left unfinished at his death.

Mark in front of the fortress' "moat".

Santa Maria delle Grazie
Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is here. We were unable to see it since reservations are taken months in advance.

Setting the scene with the lovely sound of a violin.

(Castello Sforesco)

Inside the Castello Sforzesco

Italian Beer

Polizia on Horseback
Inside the Castello Sforzesco

While walking on the streets of Milan, Mark stops to inquire about the tulips.

Mark in the Piazza del Duomo.
They are doing construction on the cathedral just behind him.

Galleria Vittrio Emanuele
A late 19th Century glass-top shopping mall in the Piazza del Duomo is full of expensive shops such as Prada, Gucci, etc. as well as a few cafes.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele at Night

Glass Dome Inside the Galleria

Street in Milan

We decided to stop for pizza when we saw this wood burning oven.

...And, we ate like Italians...
Our pizza was New York-style, or should I say it is really Italian-style.

The house wine was an interesting sparkling consistency.

Perhaps the latest in Milan fashion???

Naah, it's just a guy in a cape.

Duomo
This grand cathedral, sitting in the heart of Milan, is the 3rd largest in the world. It was built in the Gothic style with massive amounts of marble, spires, ands flying buttresses.

Duomo

View from the back.

The Inside of Duomo
We were lucky enough to walk in during an Italian Mass. Aah, it was beautiful!

Now, what's this guy doing?
(Rear view of Da Vinci statue.)

Teatro alla Scala

This is noted as the most famous opera house in the world. Verdi, among others, got their start at this theatre as well as being known for the opening of Madame Butterfly.

Finishing off the Italian experience with Tirimasu!

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Sint Maarten's Day

November 11th is St. Maarten's Day in Holland. It's very much like "trick-or-treat" in the US, without the costumes. Children go around with lanterns getting treats by ringing on the doorbells singing songs for which they are given tangerines or sweets.

Story of Sint Maarten

It was a dark & stormy night and Maarten was quite alone. He only had a cloak and a singular piece of bread. He was returning home when suddenly a poor and homeless man appeared in the darkness. Maarten felt pity for the man and gave him half his piece of bread, and half his cloak and offered him hospitality in his home. Now he is called St Maarten and is known for his kindness to the stranger. And, that's why the Dutch celebrate St. Maarten's Day!