Today was an important day in Amsterdam. Sinter Klaus arrived , first via boat, then via horse, bringing joy to all. Sinterr Klaus is the original Santa Claus, and he is quite the character. Sinter Klaus comes and delivers presents to good children in their shoes on December 9th. And he comes from Spain by horse, accompanied by his "helper" okay, potetially politically incorrect pseudo slave Black Peter. Now, in celebration, Sinter Klaus travels around the city, in a parade, followed by an army of Black Peters, and several of them were riding along the parade route in a techno-thumping party bus. Very classy. Sinter Klaus; traditional attire is very saint-like and brings back the mood of the religious traditions involved with this holiday. Black Peter wears vaguely mediterranean bright colored pauper outfits. Lee, Katrina, Laurel and I traveled to Dam Square to get a glimpse of all the hullabaloo. I managed to get a few good pictures in, and look forward to more festive happenings in the city as the holiday gets closer.
I guess we can thank the Dutch for inventing Sinter Klaus and bringing him to America.
After we got out of the throng of people seeing Sinter Klaus, we embarke on another Dutch tradition. FRITES. The french fries here in Amsterdam are plentiful and yummy, and we wandered around the Spui nibbling on some warm goodness.
-Liz
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