Sinterklaas!

Here is what we have learned in our few months in Amsterdam ... the coming of Sinterklaas is a HUGE deal. He arrives in the Netherlands via boat in mid-November and then is officially "here" until they celebrate Christmas with present opening on December 5, therefore preserving the actual day of Christmas as a more religious holiday (I think, anyway). Instead of watching Sinterklaas come into Amsterdam, we hopped on the train to my favorite little nearby town of Haarlam to watch him in a smaller, more intimate town setting (and less touristy). Oh my goodness what a show! The weather here has been COLD, but gorgeous. Sunshine and blue skies, which is saying something.

Adding to the fun is that Matthew's mom is here for two weeks! So she joined us for Sinterklaas viewing ;).

Anyways, here we are riding the tram to the train to Haarlam.

Heading over to the water to watch Sinterklaas arrive via boat.

Cute boys ;)

And here he comes!!!


Flanked by hundreds of dutch folk on their own little boats to get a better view of the show.

Obviously, Calvin had no idea what was going on and the horn on the boat made him cry. But he liked all the people and found that the dirt between the bricks on the road was especially interesting. I love my kid.

After Sinterklaas comes by boat, he rides back through town on a HORSE (very regal) and here are the boat-folk watching the parade.

I personally thought he looked more like Dumbledore than Santa Clause, but whatever.


We had a great time! What a fun cultural thing to take part in!