Learning Dutch and Integrating Into Society, the Utrecht Way
When it comes to being an expat in the Netherlands, there are two reasons why most will find that the Dutch language is a great challenge. Reason one, the Dutch speak English. Reason two, the Dutch speak Dutch. If you are an expat living here, you will know exactly what I mean by this. I…
Why Don’t the Dutch Wear Bike Helmets?
The Dutch aren’t known for taking unnecessary risks. “Wild” or “reckless” aren’t words that come to mind when you think of the Dutch national character. Why then do they so often forego what many see as an essential piece of safety equipment: the bike helmet? That the Dutch love cycling is obvious. One third of…
How to Beat the Bike Burglars
Unfortunately, the experience is all too common in the Netherlands. No matter what city you’re in here, bike theft is a fact of life for both internationals and Dutchies. In fact, it’s the most common criminal activity in the country, and over 600,000 bikes are stolen every year according to the RAI. The culprits are…
When the Sun comes out, so do the Dutch
Have you noticed how different the Netherlands is when the Sun finally comes out? The canals don’t look like a brown sludge scratched into cobbled streets, the trees turn a shade of emerald green that will make the Wizard of Oz blush and there is suddenly orange naked flesh on show whilst people cycle by…
Mice Are a Problem in Amsterdam: Here’s How to Handle Them
Amsterdam has an immigrant problem. Whole extended families pack into apartments, pay no rent, spread disease, and squeeze through the tiniest holes to steal food from hard-working Amsterdammers. The immigrants in question: mice.
Snooping Around the Rotterdam Tax & Customs Museum: Ancient and Contemporary!
“In this world nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Echoed Benjamin Franklin in 1817. Taxes, were just as relevant in ancient times as they are now in modern life and are,
The Sixties: A Decade of Art and Fashion at the Tropenmuseum
Have you ever been to the TropenMuseum? If not you should. It’s the huge beige building in Linnaeusstraat, inaugurated in 1926 and today one of the biggest ethnographic museum of The Netherlands. But hurry up. Not because they are closing, but because the long lasted exhibition The Sixties – A Worldwide Happening is coming to…
Museums and Grand Tours: 500 Years from Jheronimus Bosch’s Death
It is mostly known as Den Bosch, but the whole name is ‘s-Hertogenbosch and this year it will celebrate “Bosch 500 year”: a festival throughout the whole province celebrating the half-a-millennium death anniversary of Dutch early painter Jheronimus van Aken. Who!? Yes, him: Jheronimus van Aken, aka Jheronimus Bosch. Better known for his fantastic imagery,…
TEFAF: Worldwide Famous Art Expo Arrives in Maastricht
Few know that Maastricht is universally famous for it’s art fair. One of the most important worldwide, launched in 1975, was known as the “Pictura Fine Art Fair”. The fair specialised in old master paintings and medieval sculptures. Today it is called TEFAF which stands for “The European Fine Art Fair”. This year it will…
DGTL Festival Amsterdam
DGTL Festival: house, techno, revolutionary installations and eco-friendly toilets Easter is coming. Along with one of the most popular house and techno festival of Europe: DGTL. From March 25th to the 27th, heavyweights of the international scene will indeed be hanging around in Amsterdam Noord. At the NDSM, to be precise. So on…