Winter in Suriname

 

Leaving Holland just as the frost was setting in, we arrived in Suriname during their coolest period of the year. People were complaining about the temperature, wearing long sleeved sweaters and coats. What are cool temperatures in Suriname?, you may ask. Well, during the day just below 30 degrees and during the night around 23 degrees Celsius!

X-mas in Amsterdam

 

This year no trip to Germany or England for Christmas. Instead the traditional family celebrations were held in Amsterdam. However, this does not mean that the English traditions are not upheld. As always there was a delicious turkey with home-made stuffing and cranberries, roast potatoes and seasonal veggies, as well as the traditional Christmas crackers with inside their bad jokes, cheap toys and colourful paper crowns. 

Trifle

Christmas is not complete without a trifle. 

Sinterklaas

 

December 5 is Sinterklaas, Holland's version of Santa Claus a.k.a. Saint Nick. This year Uncle Ben had the pleasure of celebrating nephew Luca's Sinterklaas at his school. While most kids were in awe of the bringer of gifts, young Luca was the only that stood up to give Sinterklaas a hand. Later that morning Luca received to gifts and Uncle Ben enjoyed the traditional delicacies pepernoten and banketstaaf.

Anticipation

 

My sister Rebekka will have her first novel, 'Ebb' in English, published early next year by one of Holland's main publishing houses. This week the publisher sent its overview of new titles to book sellers around the country. Not only was Rebekka mentioned on the cover of the booklet, she is also featured on the first few pages! While it will be a few months before it hits the shops, the family is already beginning its social media promotion campaign....