Emily in Europe: November 2011

As you know, the children that I am taking care of in Brussels have a Jewish American mother and a Dutch father. This combination of religion and culture has provided the kids with different celebrations than the ones I grew up with. I expected Hanukkah but never did I expect Sinterklaas.

To clarify, Sinterklaas is NOT Santa Claus. They are different “people” but with America’s history, Santa was most likely derived from this figure. The Netherlands, Belgium, and bits of

Germany

celebrate Sinterklaas on either the 5^th or 6^th of December.

So, here’s the deal. Sinterklaas travels from Spain to the Netherlands a couple weeks before the 5^th of December. Upon his arrival in Holland, he is greeted with singing children and a parade. This marks the first day that children can start putting out their shoes at night. (Apparently it’s more Dutch to get nightly gifts from Sinterklaas leading up to the 5th. Most Belgians only put out shoes on night of the 5^th.) Much like filling stockings, Sinterklaas comes during the night on his white horse to fill the shoes with small gifts. Before bedtime, the children fill their shoes with carrots for his horse and sing some Sinterklaas songs.

Sinterklaas couldn’t do all this without helpers! Sinterklaas comes from Spain with cheerful and mischievous “pieten”. The original and main piet is Zwarte Piet is literally translated as “black Pete”. Originally, it is thought that Zwarte Piet was an Ethiopian slave that Sinterklaas released. The boy was so thankful that he wanted to stay and help Sinterklaas on his own accord. He usually wears medieval page garb. The most shocking part about this is that people dress up in black-face for parades and performances. Children even dress up as pieten for these celebrations. As Americans, this is a huge no-no and totally not p.c.! Apparently, things have changed within the last 75 years and the pieten are now black with soot because they go down chimneys to deliver gifts.

Zwarte Pieten have many roles. They throw candy to children during the celebrations and make the children’s gifts similar to Santa’s elves. But, as we find out in traditional song lyrics, Zwarte Piet is also there to put the naughty children in the sacks and take them back to Spain. A bit stronger of a threat than coal in your stocking, I’d say!

Sinterklaas on the roof!

Last weekend, I got the opportunity to travel with the family to Heemstede, Holland where their grandparents live. Every year, the city does a big celebration that Sinterklaas has arrived in their city. They have Sinterklaas appear on the roof on his horse while the pieten dance around. Afterward, the parents have arranged for “Sinterklaas” to visit the house and speak to the children. He takes out his book filled with names of good girls and boys. From this book, he sits each grand-child down and tells him what they have been doing well and not so well. (It’s obviously a list of things their parents have written down ahead of time.)

I got the chance to sit down with Sinterklaas as well. He spoke to me in English and asked about where I was from. He gave me a chocolate letter in the shape of an E. My kids were super excited that I got to talk to Sinterklaas for the first time.

Sinterklaas with Anna.

With Alex.

Sinterklaas scaring Theo straight!

To: Emely From: Sinterklaas

It was very fun and so similar to Christmas that I have already skipped to Christmas in my head. I know that Thanksgiving is this week but unfortunately, for the first time in my life, will not be celebrating with a giant feast and friends/family. I will try to find something in town on Thursday night but I doubt it will compare to other years.

Being separated on Thanksgiving yet again has made me thankful for the tiny bit of time I spent at home this summer, for Skype, and for all the people who have supported/inspired me to continue living in Europe.

I love and miss you all! I’ll be home in almost 4 weeks!! :)

All in all, October was a good month! I managed to get myself back to France twice and realized that I’d missed it, regardless of how much I like Belgium! It’s just something (surprisingly) so familiar.

I celebrated what I could of Halloween with my kids here, including Halloween cupcake making and helping them with their costumes. I also got the opportunity to share the joy of pumpkin bars with Gaspard and some other lucky Frenchies. In the past year, I’ve really discovered that Americans (myself included) love holidays- even those that aren’t even truly ours! I find myself being more serious about making sure to celebrate Halloween, Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day, and Thanksgiving because without these holidays – I’m no longer American. As long as I’m celebrating these and keeping my own traditions alive, I’m maintaining my past and my roots. Regardless of how much I’ve fallen in love with Europe, I will always put my roots first.

Some observations out and around Brussels:

At the International school, I take out small groups of non-native English speakers to come and read/converse with me. One group really made me laugh because each child seemed to fit into what most people generalize about their culture! My two Italians would always shout out the answer, talking over others. My French boy would react right away to other student’s responses, always showing his true emotions. And my little Chinese girl was silent, not wanting to talk – but her teacher told me later that on paper, this girl is near fluent in English on an academic standard.

I am not, of course, trying to point out stereotypes but there is a point where culture is culture. And when one is mixed in with others, their strong tendencies can become more apparent.

While driving in Brussels, everybody gives a little salute/hand wave, but for many various reasons. A gesture can all together say:

“Thanks for yielding/waiting”
“Excuse me Sir; I have the right of way”
“Sorry, I know that I’m a terrible driver!”
“It’s okay, I know you’re a terrible driver”

I’ve had more interaction with other drivers here than I have ever had in the States. It’s one of those times where I find them to be more courteous in this situation than most American drivers.

Here are some pictures from the past month: