Jacob is heading off to kindergarten today to tell the kids all about what it’s like to be Dutch. They’ve covered just about all the other 20 nationalities represented in his class of 22.
As we don’t seem to have any Dutch ‘things’ in the house; tulips, clogs and windmills, I’ve sent him off armed with “Rupsje nooitgenoeg” (as everyone will know the english version), a newly practiced rendition of “Ik ben en theepot rond van buik” (as everyone will know the english version), an Annie G Scmidt CD, some photos of him on my bike on his way to creche in Amsterdam in the snow and a home-made apple pie. (It may be news to the rest of the world that the Dutch regard Apple pie as a ‘Dutch’ thing. Doesn’t everyone have it?)
I don’t think the 4 year-olds are ready for drop, Dik Trom or Bassie en Adriaan just yet. Don’t get me started on Gerard Joling.
postcards from the north 