Canadutch » Dutch News

Project 365 (Days 4 & 5) Food and Fire!

Breigh — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:15:20 +0000

Day 4 – Now that the holidays are over I’m back to my usual diet, and I’m so glad. I love all that forbidden food but it really makes me feel like crap. I have to admit I did overdo it a bit, and ended up gaining about two kilos. Not bad in the grand scheme of things, especially since I know most of it is just bloating. I am intolerant to wheat and if I eat it I end up like the Michelin Man, so the few pieces of cake and cookies I ate over the last two weeks have taken their toll. I’ve already lost 1 kilo of it in the last few days so I’m not really worried. Soon I will be back to my early December weight and heading steadily towards my next goal!

Part of my routine is oatmeal and since I don’t eat sugar, I dress my oatmeal up with fruit to make it less like tasteless snot and more like a delicious breakfast treat!

Day 5 – For the past few hours my husband and I have been glued to the TV, keeping a close eye on the news regarding a huge fire taking place just south of Rotterdam. A chemical storage company caught fire and exploded causing a large amount of damage and smoke. The smoke has been heading north and there has been a lot of concern about the chemicals in the air. We were on high alert for a while, waiting to hear the city sirens going off to tell us to stay indoors, but from what I’m hearing we are in the clear and there is nothing in the air that is harmful to humans. I think we’ll be staying indoors tonight anyway. just to be sure!

Not Just A Tree

Breigh — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:15:18 +0000

Back in 2006 I wrote an entry titled Just a Tree? in which I spoke about my visit to the Anne Frank House and the giant chestnut tree that stands behind it.

At that time there were a lot of discussions in regards to whether they were going to cut the tree down because it was weak and in danger of falling over. It never was torn down though, and to be honest I haven’t thought about it a whole lot since. Until today.

I just visited the blog of my friend DutchBitch and learned the terrible news that not only were my veggie plants the victim of the fierce winds of late, but also Anne’s beloved Chestnut tree. It just fell right over.

This makes me sad.

The Anne Frank house is such an important part of the history of Amsterdam. Of this country even. Day after day, year after year, people come from all over the world just to step behind that bookcase and spend a few moments in the same space that Anne Frank once inhabited.

We all have a moment while we are there, where we step outside of ourselves and try to imagine even just for a second what it was like for her. We probably never come even close, how can we understand the loneliness and fear that she was experiencing at that time? There wasn’t a lot there that was truly original after all these years, but the tree was. It may have been bigger, but it was the same tree.

Now it will be gone. From now on when people visit the Anne Frank House and look out her bedroom window, what will they see?

I suppose to some it probably sounds silly. They will think It’s just a tree!, but no… it’s not just a tree. At least not to anyone who has read the book or stood in that room and seen it with their own eyes.

While looking for information after reading DB’s article, I did see something interesting. Apparently eleven saplings have been taken from the tree and were brought to the United States for planting.

Wait? … What?

Eleven saplings have been taken from the tree in Amsterdam and have been taken to the United States to be planted?

OI, Americans… get your filthy mitts off our tree babies! Who do we call about tree abduction??

Ok, that lady’s parents’ families were killed in the Holocaust, she can have a tree… but why do they get the other 10? Seriously, why is at least one of them not staying in Amsterdam, or perhaps the other neighbouring countries that are more closely tied to this bit of history.

HELL, Canada played a major role in saving their butts, why aren’t my peeps getting a tree? This is a travesty!

WAIT, crisis averted! I found another article. Give me a moment to cool my jets here…

According to this other article there are 150 saplings in Amsterdamse Bos Park.

They’re forgiven.

So there weren’t only 11 saplings, there were tons and they are all over the place. It turns out that Anne’s tree really isn’t just a tree, it’s like the Octomom of trees!

Screw Your Dreams!

Breigh — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:43:27 +0000

That’s what I’d say to my teenager if they told me they wanted to sail around the world, climb a mountain people die on, bungee jump, skydive or … oh, I don’t know… roller skate? It’s probably a blessing for my imaginary children that they don’t actually exist because this is one of those times where I wonder if I’d be a terrible, unreasonable and overprotective parent.

This morning I saw an article about a 16 year old girl who is attempting to sail around the world solo. She is also currently missing after setting off her distress beacon during bad weather on the Indian Ocean.

In the last entry from Sunderland on her blog, on Wednesday, she wrote:

The last few days have pretty busy out here. I’ve been in some rough weather for awhile with winds steady at 40-45 knots with higher gusts. With that front passing, the conditions were lighter today.

Her family said she had hit 30-foot swells. The Australian government has dispatched rescue ships and an airplane in the search, which is focused some 2,000 miles west of Australia.

Her older brother, Zac, sailed solo around the world last year, at age 17. Unsurprisingly, her parents are being criticized for letting their daughter, who is an accomplished, competent sailor, attempt this trip.

Ok, so she is an accomplished, competent sailor… but she’s also SIXTEEN!! At what point do parents stop looking out for their child’s dreams and start looking out for their safety? I know that supporting your child is important. I understand that it’s crucial to their growth and future independence to urge them to dream and reach for their goals… but sailing around the world alone? At SIXTEEN? Ugh. I’m not sure I’ll be able to scrape together a lot of sympathy for these parents if things go badly. Ok, I will empathize with them and pity them for what they are going through, but the bitchy little part of the back of my brain will be pointing my finger and saying something along the lines of “It’s your own fault!”.

There was a highly publicized court case not long ago here in the Netherlands where the court stopped a 13 year old girl from sailing around the world alone. I believe that this was the right decision, and seriously, is there that much difference between 13 and 16? Other than a strange attraction to boys, PMS and if they are lucky… some sign of some breasts? I don’t know. In Canada a 16 year old can drive, they are only 3 years away from being able to drink. It’s a mere two years away from being declared an adult and technically at that age they are able to be mothers, some of my friends were mothers at that age.

Still, it’s SIXTEEN!!

I truly believe if I was ever lucky enough to be a mother that I would support my child in every way I can. I’d urge them to follow their dreams and try to nurture a thirst for knowledge and a desire to make something of themselves. I would want them to be happy.

I also believe I’d love them enough to at some point say Screw your dreams, I said no, now go do your homework… and be happy to have them still alive and possibly hating me for it when they are old enough to make these decisions for themselves. I’d be all about being the bad cop in this situation, no doubt. Yes, I want them to be happy, but not when the risk is their lives.

Ok, one could argue that you can die at any time, and that’s true. I know, I know… people love to give the whole argument that your child could be hit by a bus on the way to school. They’d be right too, but the chances are increased when your child tells you that their biggest dream in the world is to play chicken with a bus driver and you give them that supportive nudge out into the street.

The whole sailing around the world thing seems to be such a trend with teenagers at the moment. I really can’t help but question what is wrong with their parents that they even entertain the idea of this.

What do you think? Would you allow your child to do something like this on their own at that age? Do you support the decision this girl’s parents made in allowing her to attempt to sail around the world on her own? What do you think about the case here in the Netherlands, do you think the court made the right decision? Do you think it was up to them to decide or should it have been the parents’ decision?

*EDIT* Apparently she’s been found, my feelings still haven’t changed though. I’m hoping this scare has shocked some people into action and that the next parents who are faced with this decision will think twice.

Jumpy Much?

Breigh — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:54:37 +0000

The above video was taken this evening just after 8pm. It’s our Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) in the Netherlands today and during a 2 minute silence at Dam Square in Amsterdam panic broke out. There are a number of stories in regards to what started it all, someone screaming, becoming unwell and knocking a barrier over, knocking over some baggage, talking on their mobile, or arguing. Who knows, but regardless…whatever it was it scared the bejesus out of a lot of people.

All I know is, I wouldn’t want to be the person who started it. Especially if it was someone on their mobile or just acting out. Way to show your respect jackass.

Who can blame them really, being so close to the royal family after what happened last year.

On Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag, a Dutch holiday celebrating the Queen’s Birthday) 2009 celebrations ended badly when a disturbed man drove through a barricade and the crowd in an attempt to attack the royal family. In the end he died and took a number of others with him. It was a very sad and tragic day in the Netherlands.

So who wouldn’t be jumpy this year, even just a little.

Here is the video from the Queen’s Day Parade last year.

Hopefully nobody was too badly hurt in the panic this year, and more than anything, lets hope that maybe next year the spring celebrations will go by with a little less drama.

Hello Oprah? Have I Got A Show For You!

Double Standards Much?

Breigh — Sat, 16 May 2009 07:07:24 +0000

Ok, so yesterday I wrote about a teacher who was canned from her job because she decided she didn’t want to shake hands with men anymore. Apparently, she made this decision for religious reasons and that didn’t really jive with the Dutch way of life.

Now today I read this article over at DutchNews.nl about a teacher who was suspended for being gay:

Christian school suspends gay teacher

Friday 15 May 2009

A strict Protestant primary school has suspended a teacher after he admitted he was homosexual and had found a partner, local tv station Omroep Gelderland reports.

The school’s board said the man’s sexual orientation conflicted with the school’s ethos, the broadcaster said, quoting a letter to parents and pupils.

‘The board respects the teacher’s choice but that choice of relationship conflicts with the foundation and aims of the school which he accepted as a teacher. This means the working relationship between the teacher and our school cannot be continued,’ the letter states.

So it’s not ok for a teacher to refuse certain practices based on his or her religious beliefs, but it’s ok for a school to refuse work to a teacher based on theirs? Oh hell no.

In the Netherlands it is legal for gay couples to get married, they can adopt children and they are recognized as honest to goodness partners the same as heterosexual couples. If, as stated in the previous article about shaking hands, the purpose of teachers in Dutch schools is to prepare the students for the Dutch culture and labour market, why is this any different?

Seriously! WTF?

If teachers are going to be forced to do things “The Dutch Way” regardless of religion, then so should the schools, and equal rights for Homosexuals IS the Dutch way, isn’t it?

What a load of rubbish.

Handshaking Compulsory in NL?

Breigh — Thu, 14 May 2009 09:32:45 +0000

A recent article caught my eye about a teacher here in the Netherlands who faced losing her job because she decided, for religious reasons, that she didn’t want to shake hands with men anymore. Here is the article from DutchNews.nl:

A school in Utrecht was within its rights to sack a female teacher who refused to shake hands with men because of her religion, the civil service appeal board ruled on Monday.

Although the equal opportunities commission had found in the woman’s favour, the civil court in Utrecht ruled in favour of the school, prompting her to appeal.

Samira Dahri had taught at the school for several years before deciding she no longer wanted to shake hands with men.

Trouw reports that the board ruled the school was right to sack her for two reasons. Firstly, the school, with a large proportion of immigrant pupils, is supposed to ready students for the Dutch labour market – and that includes shaking hands.

And secondly, the teacher’s position as a role model and school representative is more important than protecting her against discrimination on the grounds of her religion, Trouw said.

As an expat I’ve often come across Dutch traditions and cultural differences that I’ve had to adapt to, but I’ve not had any issues in regards to religious practices. I am non-religious so it’s never been an issue. I wonder how I’d feel if I did have certain deep seeded religious beliefs that didn’t blend in with Dutch society. Would I give them up to fit in? Should I be expected to? I’m not sure.

On the one hand, I don’t understand why the woman was fine for years and then suddenly decided she didn’t want to anymore. Had she brought this up during the hiring process, maybe the outcome would have been different. She didn’t seem to have a problem with it in previous years, what would change to make her feel so strongly about it now?

They claim that she is a role model and should be preparing the children for the Dutch labour market where shaking hands is common, but shouldn’t the children also be taught to have tolerance for those who are different and have different beliefs than they do?

I don’t know, I’m torn between the feeling that people have a right to follow their own beliefs and stay within their own comfort zones, and the feeling that there is a certain responsibility for us to adapt and fit in. Then there is the whole religion vs state thing.

Personally, I don’t mind handshakes, even though I’m sure some Dutch men are hellbent on breaking my fingers. One thing I would love to do away with is the three kisses. I’m really not comfortable with that and there is always an awkward standoff with people, where we are figuring out if we go for the three kisses or if a handshake would do. In 99% of cases for me, a handshake is definitely enough.

So what do you think? Should this lady have a right to do what she feels comfortable with in regards to her religion, or as a public servant in the Netherlands, should she be forced to put that aside and follow their customs?

Full Speed Tram Crash in Rotterdam

Breigh — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:11:18 +0000

Well this is something I haven’t heard of happening since I’ve been living here.

Yesterday at approximately 2:25pm in the afternoon tram 23, heading in direction Holy smashed full speed into the back of tram 21, which was standing still at the time. The crash took place in Rotterdam West in the Vierambachtsstraat near Mathenesserplein in Rotterdam.

In total 39 people were injured. Ten with neck injuries and broken bones, while 29 others escaped with minor cuts and bruises. The numbers could have been much worse if the tram had been busier with more people standing.

Police have detained the driver for questioning as they investigate the cause, but one theory is said to be that the sun may have been in the eyes of the driver at the time.

For more photos visit Leo Roubos’ photostream on Flickr.

Turkish Plane Crash in Amsterdam

Breigh — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:44:17 +0000

This morning a plane crashed near Schipol airport in Amsterdam. It’s still breaking news so there isn’t a lot of info out yet.

Here is what is known so far (from cnn.com):

(CNN) — A Turkish airliner crashed at Amsterdam’s main airport about 10:40 a.m. Wednesday local time, Dutch airport officials said.

Images from the scene of the Amsterdam crash show the plane broken into three pieces.

“Some passengers are dead, some are injured and some are alive” in the crash, a spokesman from Schiphol airport’s press office said over the telephone before hanging up.

Turkish media said the plane was carrying about 135 people.

The Boeing 737-800, which originated from Istanbul, Turkey, was trying to land at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol when it went down.

Airport officials had originally said that the plane was an Airbus 380.

Pictures from the crash site showed the plane split in three parts.

Kieran Daly, of Air Transport Intelligence, said the pictures indicated there had not been a widespread fire.

He said the impact had been severe but it could have been survivable because of the lack of fire.

Daly said their had been vast improvements in the materials used to build airplanes, meaning they did not burn as easily.

Since this report, others have come out reporting that some people have died in the crash, although they have not yet given any numbers. Hopefully those numbers won’t be too great.

Happy Birthday Grietje!

Breigh — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:11:41 +0000

Today the oldest inhabitant of the Netherlands is celebrating her 111th birthday.

Grietje Jansen-Anken lived alone until she was 92 years of age, and has been living in a care home in Middleburg since. Reports say that she is still in perfect mental health.

She apparently shuns the media at every turn, not wanting to take part in any of the publicity that follows each of her birthdays. Who can blame her though, at a ripe ol’ age of 111 it’s no wonder she just wants a quiet birthday with family.

Grietje became the oldest inhabitant of the Netherlands on May 19, 2006 after the death of 111 year old Alexandrina van Donkelaar-Vink.

WTF Africa?

Breigh — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:12:53 +0000

You know, I’m not the most worldly person. I’ve traveled around a bit but I generally don’t keep up on the politics and news in other countries. Hell, I hardly pay attention to the news in my own country, so overall when it comes to current affairs I’m a giant ignoramus. Something had me confused the other night though, and I asked my husband about it. My question was…

Why, when all the rest of the world seems to be donating out the hole to Africa, does nothing seem to improve?

Seriously, for as long as I can remember I’ve seen ads with children with bloated bellies and flies around their eyes, with their brown drinking water asking me to send money. I remember more than once when I was younger suggesting to my parents that we should adopt an African kid. I wanted to send them to school and get their letters, and maybe even meet them someday, just like the ads promised. It never happened, my parents were busy supporting me and I can’t really blame them now.

There are telethons, TV shows, super stars like Angelina Jolie and Madonna and endless other attempts at improving the situation there, but nothing seems to change. I don’t get it. Look at American Idol with their ‘Idol Gives Back’ crap (big publicity stunt if you ask me, Idol didn’t give shit… their viewers did!)… they raised like, a gazillion dollars for starving Africans! Where has it gone? What has it changed?

When I asked my husband about this he had all the answers and went into them at length. Politics, and how it benefits some people to keep certain parts of Africa poor and a number of other explanations. The things he said made sense but then I can’t help but wonder, why keep sending money then? There are a lot of people who truly believe in that cause but aren’t they swimming upstream here? It’s probably enviable that people ‘fight the good fight’ when it comes to these places, but man… there comes a time when you gotta learn to choose your battles.

Don’t get me wrong, I know I sound like a heinous bitch who can’t sympathize with what is going on down there, but shit… all these countries have their own starving, diseased, downtrodden people to take care of, why keep sending all the money off to somewhere that takes it all in for SO many years and doesn’t seem to show any significant signs of change?

Ok, yeah… help the world, be a good person and so on. Fine. I give, so does my husband but I guess we just make different choices on when and to whom.

The reason I’m thinking about this at the moment is because of something that has happened in the news here in the Netherlands recently. It’s about five young Dutch girls who went to Africa on a working holiday organized by a Dutch charity. They were there to BUILD A SCHOOL, you know… to help the local people… and what did they get in return? They were attacked and raped by 10 local men. RAPED!!!

This is the story told by Dutchnews.nl:

Five young Dutch women between the ages of 17 and 25 were raped by a group of Kenyan men last Thursday during a working holiday organised by the Amersfoort based charity Livingstone.

A spokeswoman for Livingstone on Monday confirmed the report which was published in the Reformatorisch Dagblad newspaper, reports ANP news service.

The attacks took place while a group of 12 Dutch volunteers were working on rebuilding a school. Despite security measures, around 10 men forced their way onto the terrain using a neighbour as hostage, reports ANP.

The intruders, who were armed with a gun and other weapons, demanded all those present, including local people and children, to surrender their valuables. Five of the Dutch women were taken to another room where they were raped.

‘They also tried to rape a number of local women but they were eventually left alone because they had babies with them,’ the spokeswoman for Livingstone told ANP.

Staff at the organisation are ‘extremely shocked’ by the attacks and have immediately suspended the Kenyan project, she said.

The five Dutch women were treated at a hospital in Nairobi before being flown to Brussels on Saturday where they were met by family and Livingstone staff. They will be offered further medical care in the Netherlands.

Kenyan police have assigned 30 officers to the case and have already questioned a hundred people, says ANP.

What in the living fuck?!

I guess it can be said that because of the living conditions that this is just how it is and this is exactly why people are trying to improve things there, but … ugh!

I really need to get educated on this issue because as it stands right now I don’t see the point in any of it. I have to wonder that if knowing what they know now, and having gone through what they’ve just experienced, if those girls still think it’s all worth it.

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