The Netherlands

From our contributors: week of December 20th

Here’s what some of our contributors have been up to in their blogs in the last couple of weeks. Happy reading!

 

Sandra, our contributor from Portugal, describes the many festivities that take place in the Netherlands in November and December. She’s been very busy!

This year was the most cheerful Saint Martin’s Day that I have ever enjoyed! I didn’t stop all evening. Many children knocked at my door with their paper lanterns, singing Saint Martin’s songs. In the end of the evening, the three bowls filled with candies got almost empty! That means all the children have sung very well.

 

Anu, our contributor from India, opens her home and shares the 3-day celebration of Kathikai, a sort of Diwali in South India.

In our south-Indian dominated colony, Karthikai arrives with much fanfare, with special pujas in the temple, which I have never attended, thanks to having to celebrate the festival at home, and stay guard over the lamps, which have to be constantly replenished with oil! But more interesting are the beautiful red and white kolams decorating every house and the beautiful lamps which light up the usually dark passages

 

Ski, our contributor from Hong Kong, published a thought-provoking scene in the streets of Hong Kong.

Spotted during a tour with Renate. It was a scene that touched my heart and made me pensive for a few moments. When Renate stopped to take a few pictures of them as unobtrusively as possible, I waited at the side, appreciating the finer details of that beautiful moment.

 

DeeBee, our contributor from France, writes about the meaning and delights of decorating a Christmas tree.

The decorations must be removed on 12th day after Christmas, or January 5!
Pagan civilizations believed that the branches of holly, ivy, mistletoe and guy used to decorate their house during the Winter Solstice celebrations housed the Tree-Spirits. The sprigs were not only used as decoration but also protected the Tree-Spirits during the 12 days following the celebrations of the Winter Solstice, when the sun had disappeared and evil spirits roamed the earth.

 

Jenna, our contributor from Poland, reflects on her love for Polish trains.

When I first started teaching in Poland, my students often asked me what I thought about the country. I once answered that I really liked the train system. I thought it was great that there are train connections to nearly every city and town in Poland, and that I can live a car-free life. They stared in response. “You like the  Polish train system?” They couldn’t believe me. “Polish trains are terrible!”

Read more

Christmas in Wroclaw, Poland
How we celebrate New Year in Portugal
Neha, from Mumbai to Zagreb

From our contributors: week of December 4

This is what some of our contributors were up to last week:

Sandra, our contributor from Portugal, writes about a show of light and fantastic creatures called Turn on the Lights 2011 at Dam Square (Amsterdam)

“A couple of weaks ago, I went to Amsterdam to meet my friend Raquel. She had invited me to watch a show at Dam Square. A show of light and fantastic creatures: Turn on the Lights 2011 by Bijenkorf”

DeeBee, our contributor from France, writes about the symbolism of Christmas Holly in France from the Celts to this day.

“The use of holly is full of symbolism that, once more, originated in paganism. Celts believed that its prickly leaves had magic power and protected from evil spirits…druids wore a sprig of holly in their hair during the Winter (and Summer) Solstice celebrations. This belief remained  and for centuries people hung a sprig of holly above their bed.” (more…)

Tulip: Symbol of abundance, indulgence and Istanbul

Since 2006, every April Istanbul hosts International Tulip Festival. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality plants millions of tulips in the city’s public grounds, concerts & art exhibitions are organized and a photography competition for “Best Tulip” is held.

Some might say, “Wait a minute! Holland is the country of tulips. What has tulip got to do with Istanbul or Turkey?”. Well, let’s take a glimpse of history.

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Urban Style Challenge: Almere vs Melbourne

In this week’s Urban Style Challenge, two very different cities compete: Almere (Netherlands) and Melbourne (Australia). Many thanks to our contributors Sandra and Rebecca for your great input!

What’s your city’s style?

Photo credit

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Picture Postcards: Markets in The Netherlands and China

Happy Monday to you! We have a double offering for you this week as two people have sent in their market photos.

The first photo is from Sandra and was taken at Luilabloemenmarkt in Almere, The Netherlands. It was snapped during Pentacost weekend and she says, “Pentecost occurs seven weeks (50 days) after Easter Sunday and comemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection. It is celebrated on Sunday and Monday, the first and the second day of Pentecost.” She explained that people buy all these lovely flowers to put in their houses and gardens.

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Best of of 2010: a world tour in twenty-three posts

We’d like to say goodbye to 2010 wıth a world tour of favourite posts from each of our contributors. Here they are, in the order in which each one celebrates midnight. Happy New Year!

Marie (New Zealand): The New Zealand Dairy

“Where would Kiwis be without the local dairy? Certainly situations such as running out of the milk needed for the perfect cup of tea or not having enough snacks to share while watching a film on TV could get quite hairy.”

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