Sinterklaas

It is that time of the year again - Sinterklaas. All Dutch children know that Sinterklaas (the name is a corruption of Sint Nikolaas) lives in Spain. Exactly why he does remains a mystery, but that is what all the old songs and nursery rhymes say. Whatever the case may be, in Spain he spends most of the year recording the behaviour of all children in a big red book, while his helper Black Peter stocks up on presents for next December 5th. In the first weeks of November, Sinterklaas gets on his white horse, Peter ("Piet") swings a huge sack full of gifts over his shoulder, and the three of them board a steamship headed for the Netherlands. Around mid-November they arrive in a harbour town - a different one every year - where they are formally greeted by the Mayor and a delegation of citizens. Their parade through town is watched live on television by the whole country and marks the beginning of the "Sinterklaas season".

The old bishop and his helpmate are suddenly everywhere at once. At night they ride across Holland's' rooftops and Sinterklaas listens through the chimneys to check on the children's behaviour. Piet jumps down the chimney flues and makes sure that the carrot or hay the children have left for the horse in their shoes by the fireplace is exchanged for a small gift or some candy. During the day, Sinterklaas and Piet are even busier, visiting schools, hospitals, department stores, restaurants, offices and many private homes. Piet rings doorbells, scatters sweets through the slightly opened doors and leaves basketfuls of presents by the front door. How do they manage to be all over the Netherlands at once?

This year we made it to the Holmatro Sinterklaas party for the children. It went on for around 2 hours. Owen loved it. On arrival he had chocomel and a floor filled with ballons to play with. A while later Sinterklaas & the Piets arrived and each child had the opportunity to sit on Sint's lap. Owen preferred to try to fiddle with the PA buttons & knobs, see how many pepernoten (tiny ginger biscuits) he could find on the carpet and stuff in his mouth at once. A time of hide and seek was enjoyed by him and the daddy for some variation. At the end of event each child was given a gift. Owen got a fire engine with made 4 different siren noises. He was in his element.