Sinterklaas is Coming to Town

One of the main events in the Netherlands to start the Christmas season is the arrival of Sinterklaas.  He arrives by boat to one of the cities in the Netherlands, and then, an hour later, Sinterklaas clones magically appear in every other city in the Netherlands.  The boat with Sinterklaas was due to pass by my house on the canal.  I figured I would walk down there, stand with about 10 people on the bridge and wave at Sinterklaas as he passed, and that would be that.  Well, when I got to the bridge, there were more like 500 people there waiting for the arrival of Sinterklaas.

And blocking traffic!

When I looked into the water below, it was filled with kayaks, paddled by a whole group of Black Peters!

Black Peter (or Zwarte Piet in Dutch) is just as popular as Sinterklaas.  Maybe more popular.  I think the tradition dates back to the real St. Nick, who had a moor accompany him.  Today's version is dressed in flashy colorful costumes, do tricks for the kids, and hand out candy and oranges.

Sinterklaas did not arrive by a single boat.  No, it was instead a flotilla! 

Children watch as the flotilla approaches.

A Black Peter, enjoying the nice winter day.

And one doing tricks.

Black Peters singing...

...and playing music.

The boats were huge - probably the biggest boat that could possibly fit on a canal.

Finally, we see him!  Sinterklaas!

As one of the boats pass by, we get to hear some of the traditional Dutch songs.

Sinterklaas!  Check out that ring!  I do think it is interesting that Sinterklaas looks more like a bishop, with his hat (that has a cross on it) and staff. 

After Sinterklaas docked his flotilla, there was a parade through the city.  The best part was Black Peter herding a flock of sheep down one of the major roads.

Black Peters, now making their debut on the streets.

And tiny ponies!

Finally, Sinterklaas arrives once more.

The man, the myth... the legend.

And now, in Family Feud fashion, I have the top 7 things that kids were excited to see or do on the day that Sinterklaas came to town, measured in cubic giga-giggles.  Some are obvious, and some require some knowledge of the holiday.  Answers near the top are worth more points (shown in the middle of the line).  One guess at a time, and go...!

-------------------------------------------   1.75  -------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   1.50  -------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   1.25  -------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   1.00  -------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   0.75  -------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   0.50  -------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   0.25  -------------------------------------------

Full Spectrum

The Netherlands is the first place I've lived where the leaves really changed color over the fall.  Over the last few weeks, I've been enjoying the ever-changing spectrum of color.

Several weeks ago, the leaves were still quite green.  My husband strolls through the neighborhood park.

Some of the brightest red trees- the first trees to change color.

Red ivy.

In the weeks that follow, the ride to work gets more and more colorful.

One of my friends and I take a walk in a forest in the nearby countryside.

Being watched by the sheep.

It was surreal - the leaves on the trees were green, but there was a carpet of bright orange leaves.  Where did they come from?  It was absolutely beautiful.

A couple of weeks later, the park by my house becomes even more colorful.

Colors and the canal.

Amazing colors!