Amsterdam Day 151: Idaho Day Something

Magical Christmas! So many things to be happy about. So grateful for an awesome sister who shared her cabin with us, thus saving Christmas.

We have enough snow that we are happy for a lifetime (or at least until next year). 

Amsterdam Day 145: Utah Day 1: Waking Up Early

So what do you do when your kids cross eight time zones, then wake up really early and refuse to go back to bed?

You hold a snowball fight outside the breakfast cafe and wait for the cafe to open. 

Charlie decided to wake up at 3am, which is really 11am Amsterdam time. So I guess in a way, he did a really good job sleeping in late. Cameron and Beverly were not far behind and woke up at 4am. So we took off at 5am to go get scones from a restaurant that I loved when I was in high school. We used to skip first period, often seminary, for the scones with the hot honey butter from this place. I guess I probably should not admit to stuff like this when it is possible that my 15 year old daughter could read this.  Also, scones in Utah refer to Indian Fry Bread, not biscuits like the rest of the world believes. Utah is right on this one. 

It turns out that the place does not open until 6am, so we had a little time to kill. After doing donuts in my high school parking lot (there is a whole history here with doing circle eights in the high school parking lot, a reckless driving ticket, a mess up with the the court date, and an arrest on the way back home from a college level class with my high school girlfriend - ask me later and I'll tell you the story), and picking up some cash from the ATM, we decided to have a snowball fight in the front of the restaurant until they opened. The kids had a blast as this was the first time in the snow in quite some time, since the big snow threat of 2015 in Atlanta where there was no actual snow.

Amsterdam Day 144: Longest Night of My Life

That is a dramatic title just to get your attention. I think that it is probably true in that last night was the actual longest dark in a row that I have experienced. Now officially Dec 21st is the longest night, or shortest day depending how your glass is, but since we are headed back to the states today, this is the longest night for us. 

Seriously. The sun is not up until 8:47 in the morning. The kids school starts at 8:45 so it is dark when they arrive at school. But the crazy part is the sun goes down at 4:29. Kids leave school at 3:30 so they get a bit of sun. But if I don't go out for lunch, I don't see the sun. It's so crazy. I do leave for lunch though just so that I can see the sun. I by see the sun, I mean bask in its glow from behind the clouds because I can't actually remember the last time I saw the actual sun. 

Amsterdam Day 142: Xmas is for . . .

We found this sign in the window of a store in the mall. Either there is a translation issue or they have determined that there really is a war on Christmas (and that they have to defend Christmas against xmas). 

I'm guessing it was a mistranslation since the name of the store is CoolCats. 

Amsterdam Day 140: Amsterdam Light Festival II

I thought it would be fun to give you the other side of the story about our walk through Amsterdam through the eyes of our friends that went with us. They have a lot cooler pictures. And they appreciate art more than we do. So I thought it would be fair to have an additional perspective, because I know mine is biased. Plus they have children that are well behaved.

Plus I think walking through with them helped me appreciate some aspects to the art that I would have just skipped right over. 

https://alishahagey.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/amsterdam-light-festival/

Amsterdam Day 139: Amsterdam Light Festival

So apparently as parents, we never learn. After our great experience in Gouda, we decided to venture off in to Amsterdam for another family adventure. At least this one was really close to home. And we took the whole family to spread the joy. 

The Amsterdam Light Festival is many different pieces of art done with light that they stick around the city. You can tour by boat or on a walk. Being the big modern art lovers that we are (not really), we thought this would be a wonderful adventure. So we headed of on the tram to start the journey. And an added bonus this time was that we all had our pants on when we arrived (see the previous post if this doesn't make sense). 

We met some friends, the Hagey's, who are actual art lovers, to enjoy the evening with. That part of the evening was wonderful, and we always enjoy our adventures with them. We walked around from one art piece to another art piece. Some of them were really cool. Many would have been enjoyed a lot more without children of a certain age. I don't want you to start thinking that I am not great fun for my children. I love them. I just kind of like having time away from them sometimes. 

We were really thinking that the artwork was going to be more Christmas related, but it was just cool pieces of art. We did walk a few blocks outside the actual festival area and found this cute road. After some time we bid goodby to the Hagey's and headed back home. 

But not before we walked around the corner and found the Christmas markets on Rembrandt Square. For a Vhristmas market, there is not a lot to it. But it was decorated real cute and the stalls had a lot of great food options. 

So before the kids began their mutiny, we decided to indulge in their most favorite European snack, crepes with Nutella. All of a sudden, the night became the most wonderful, magical time that we have ever had. Kids were smiling and laughing and having an absolute wonderful time. It made me happy to have children again. It made me enjoy them and want to have more (just kidding in that last part). And all this from a bit (or a lot) of sugary energy boost from the most wonderful food ever. Thank you crepes. 

Amsterdam Day 138: Gouda Light Festival

We took off for the city of Gouda (yes, the famous one for their cheese) because they have a wonderful celebration of lights an a huge tree lightning ceremony. What should have been 35 minutes in the car took just over an hour, but long enough for Charlie to decide he was out for the night. We finally arrived in Gouda, quickly found parking, and headed to the main square. Charlie was in a horrible mood because we just woke him up. Cameron then let us know that he never put his pants back on when he put on his long underwear. And Beverly was just being Beverly. Jac and Ryan stayed home with friends, which turns out was probably the best decision of the night. 

First thing we did was find an Oliballen food truck. Oliballen is a traditional winter treat, that I am sure we will talk more about on New Years Eve. I would describe it as a ball of Indian fry bread, or Utah scones, covered with powdered sugar. Pretty dang good. That kept everyone's spirits up pretty well except for Charlie who hated everything at this moment, because we woke him up from his nights rest.

We found the main square about 30 minutes before the main celebration was to begin. There was people gathered everywhere and the bells from the town hall were ringing to the sound of Christmas songs. The people were singing along to the songs, mosty in Dutch. It would have been a great Christmasy activity if Caneron wasn't complaining of the cold (because he wasn't wearing any pants that he left at home) and if Charlie wasn't so grumpy. 

We stayed for the program which was highlighted by an American Gospel Choir who sang the most depressing Christmas songs you can find. There version of Go Tell It On the Mountain, was so slow and lacked any energy (really it sounded like two separate groups were singing the same song in different keys and timing in a very trying way too much to be original kind of way). Finally, after a reading of the Christmas story by the mayor and a few not as depressing songs, we counted down in Dutch from 10, to the lighting of the tree. 

After it was all over, Charlie decided that he would be in a good mood now (after he ruined the whole celebration with his attitude) and we headed back home. In the way, we did notice that the town was lit with candles are was really charming. There were musical groups throughout the city playing Christmas that would have been so much fun, if the kids weren't monsters. 

So fun? No. But it could have been amazing if I'd didn't have my kids. And why in the world would you walk out of the house without your pants on? And what kind of parents don't notice that you are not wearing any pants?

Amsterdam Day 137: Jannica's Choir Concert

Disney High had their fall musical concert this evening. You can check out the songs below if you'd like. Jannica looked stunning in her new black dress and her new black shoes. She's the one in the front with the pearl necklace. 

As far as the rest of the concert went, it was exactly like you'd expect from a Zac Effron movie. It was complete with the stereotypical East Asian girl playing amazingly on the violin. 

Amsterdam Day 132: Letting Go is Hard To Do

It has finally come to that difficult moment. As one friend said, it feels like I am giving up my U.S. Citizenship. Or it feels like that time when I lost my high school girlfriend. It feels like I am losing a part of who I am or what defines me. I feel like I am losing my last hope to my connection with my home. That moment has come and my U.S. phone number is going away. And I now have a new Dutch phone number. To contact me in the future, you will either have to call me international, call me on Facebook Messenger, Skype, Google Hangouts, What's App, email, regular mail, or any other fancy new or old apo out there. I guess there are still plenty of ways to contact me. 

My new number is +31 6 14 24 48 85. Or you can contact me at Kelly.kartchner@gmail.com. Or iMessage me at that same email address. 

Amsterdam Day 131: Jannica's Sinterklaas Thank You

Thank you Sinterklaas and His Pieten for getting me these great gifts! I love them so much!!! My own personal guitar for life and my own selfie stick. I am now an official white girl for having a selfie stick! Lol I love this! Thank you so much again!

Amsterdam Day 130: Sinterklaas

The day that has long awaited as finally coming. After three weeks of seeing the Piets everywhere, the Sinterklaas celebrations by the city and at school, and putting out our clogs (or just regular shoes for us) at night to get little treats, we had our Sinterklaas celebration today. For normal Dutch families with children, it is a big day for gift giving and family gathering.

For expat Americans, it is just another time to party. Our celebration consisted of the regular family gathering, like we usually do on most days anyways, and singing songs celebrating Saint Nicholas. The biggest problem is that all the songs are in Dutch and we don't speak Dutch real well yet in our household. But we did well singing about the 100,000 Piets and the little Sinterklaas. Strangely, around 630 at night while we were singing songs about Sinterklaas a knock and bell ringing happened at our door. This is really new to us, so we got up a little surprised. And what did we find? Apparently Sinterklaas and his Piets left us several burlap bags of toys. What joy and excitement. It took everything the kids had to wait for the picture to be taken. 

The kids tore into their presents excited as if it were Christmas morning. Charlie was not quite ready to celebrate and was finishing some food. But as soon as he realized there was a new bike for him, he came around. Jannica got an acoustic guitar and a selfie stick. Ryan got a skateboard and a crochet kit. Cameron got a skateboard and roller skates. Beverly got a scooter and a band set. Charlie got a bike, with pedals, and a stroller for a baby. And then there were Hulu hoops for all of them. Then dinner was a traditional Dutch meal of Stampot, which is really just mashed potatoes mixed with another mashed vegetable like carrots served with sausage. But since I love potatoes, it was amazing. 

They holiday had a very lovely feel about it. It is a celebration of Saint Nicholas, but it is almost completely centered around the children. And what I really like about it is that it serves as the gift giving holiday around this time. It leaves Christmas as a true religious holiday without all the commercialism of the gifts. Although, it looks like they really go all out on there decorations.

Amsterdam Day 129: All You Have Ever Wanted To Know About Dutch Chocolate Letters

At work, we are part of a joint venture agreement with KLM. Every year a joyous man from KLM has brought around a chocolate letter to all the the employees in the Atlanta office. Now that we are actually in a KLM office, there is no joyous man from KLM to bring us our chocolate letter. So I visited the local grocery store and purchased letters for the team so that the tradition continues. For anyone that wants more information about these chocolate letters so famous in the Netherlands, read on. 

Oh yea, the kids got some too. They like them too. 

Dutch Chocolate Letters Explained!

If you’re fortunate enough to travel to the Netherlands during the festive period of Sinterklaas, then you’ll no doubt get to take part in the many fun celebrations and sample the typical Dutch food products that are enjoyed at this special time of year.

Traditional Dutch biscuits flavoured with cinnamon and spices, such as ‘speculaas‘, ‘pepernoten’ and ‘kruidnoten’, are particular favourites during the Sinterklaas season.Dutch supermarkets will be literally overflowing with these and the customary ‘chocoladeletter’ – a generous letter made from solid chocolate, denoting a child’s first initial.

In the weeks leading up to Pajkesavond on December 5th, Dutch children habitually leave their shoe in front of the fireplace in the hope that Sinterklaas will climb down the chimney and fill it with a present and a much coveted chocolate letter. Of course, just like Santa Claus, Sinterklaas only leaves goodies for children who have been good all year round!

These distinctive chocolate treats have been associated with Sinterklaas for so long, that many Dutch people have actually forgotten how the giving and receiving of them became such an important ritual during Sinterklaas.

The Chocolate Letter Story

Surprisingly Dutch chocolate letters were initially made from pastry and not chocolate at all. You can spot these early letters in the still life paintings created by acclaimed Dutch masters in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It was not until the nineteenth century though, that they became so intrinsically linked with the popular Sinterklaas celebration. Around this time parents would prevent their children from sneaking a peek at Sinterklaas presents, by covering the gifts with sheets. To ensure that presents were given to the correct recipient, pastry letters representing the child’s initials were placed on top.

At the start of the twentieth century the Dutch chocolate industry began to flourish and the first chocolate versions of these letters became available. Production was suspended however, due to severe shortages and rationing during World War Two. Leading Dutch chocolate manufacturer Verkade, temporarily produced gingerbread letters to allow their customers to continue their much loved Sinterklaas traditions, despite the unfortunate circumstances. Once rationing ended in the 1950’s, the manufacture of chocolate letters resumed and these were consumed in ever growing quantities.

M is for More!

Dutch children and indeed adults, all look forward to their first chocolate letter of the year. In fact in 2001, when major Dutch supermarket Albert Heijn controversially stopped stocking chocolate letters before mid November, they received a barrage of complaints from angry parents and hastily reversed their decision! These days there are plenty of varieties to choose from including ‘melk’ (milk), ‘witte’ (white) or ‘puur’ (dark) chocolate letters which are often filled with marzipan or almonds.

Chocolate Letters in the Netherlands are big business and the manufacturers must keep up to date on current naming trends to determine which initials will be the most popular each year. The letter M is one of the top selling letters of all time – the reasons that this particular letter flies of the supermarket shelves so quickly are numerous. M is the initial of many common Dutch names and also the first letter of ‘Mama’ (mum). Many also mistakenly believe that the M is bigger in size than other letters and purchase purely in the name of greed! Chocolate manufacturers, however, go to great trouble to guarantee that every letter weighs exactly the same. They do this by producing different densities of chocolate or by adding a number of grooves. The letter I for example, is significantly thicker than a letter A. De Heer on the other hand actually include two letter I’s in their box in order to overcome the size issue. Other best selling letters include the P for ‘Papa’ (dad) and Piet (from Zwarte Piet, the Sint’s trusted helper) and S for ‘Sint’. Letters O and V are sold in the smallest quantities, whilst several Dutch chocolate companies won’t even manufacture Q, U, X, Y or Z. Albert Heijn and Verkade pride themselves on providing the complete alphabet, so if your child’s name is Ursula or Zak, their shoe needn’t be empty!

Chocolate Letter Fashions

Chocolate letters are traditionally made in the ‘Egyptienne’ font and whilst many variations on this have been attempted over the years, this is the only style that has endured. In Amsterdam Hebrew letters were once available and these days retailers often stock Arabic letters to cater for the large Muslim population.

Holland is a responsible nation and Fair Trade chocolate has recently become all the rage. New chocolate manufacturers such as Chocolony now produce a range of delicious, yet entirely ethical chocolate letters, that compete directly with the sales of standard chocolate letters made by Dutch institutions such as Droste, De Heer and Verkade. Oxfam even released the cleverly named ‘groene Sint’ (green Saint), allowing the Dutch to enjoy their favourite Sinterklaas treat, safe in the knowledge that the cocoa farmers got a good price for their beans.

Yet, despite these changing trends and evolving tastes, one thing remains clear – a Sinterklaas celebration just isn’t complete without a delicious Dutch Chocolate letter!

A Letter from Home

Together De Heer and Droste produce in excess of thirty million Chocolate letters a year. While most of these will end up in the shoes of Dutch children in the Netherlands, vast quantities are exported to Dutch communities living as far and wide as the US, Australia and New Zealand. Dutch Canadians appear to yearn more than most for a ‘little taste from home’ during Sinterklaas. The country annually imports a staggering one million chocolate letters, which represents a serious amount of chocolate!
If you find yourself far way from a Dutch supermarket this Sinterklaas, there’s no need to worry – you can always order your precious chocolate letter online and celebrate Sinterklaas in the traditional way.

Amsterdam Day 128: I Can't Get Enough of These Statues

If you haven't been able to tell, I just love all the statues that are everywhere. I may not appreciate the great Dutch painters like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Vermeer as much as I should, but I love whomever these random guys are that make these statues. 

This was right outside the parking garage in The Hague. Just the face. No chin. No brain. 

This cute thing was across the big canal from the museums in The Hague. 

This is another one right outside the parking garage. I think I'm glad that there were some modifications made to certain parts of this male body (unless that is a female body).

This is a fun statute with a guy climbing up something. I thought it looke pretty cool. It is outside a church in the center of the city. This is in the city Naarden, which is a village inside a star shaped fort complete with a double moat. 

Amsterdam Day 126: Christmas is Coming

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Here is the big Christmas tree at the Schipol airport in Amsterdam.