Sinterklaas has arrived

Here is a little taste of Christmas tradition in the Netherlands.  

Sinterklaas arrives early in Holland with his gifts, in November. He is dressed in Bishop's robes and journeys in a boat with his helper who is called Black Peter and who wears Spanish clothes. It is said that the pair live most of the year preparing lists of presents and writing every child's behavior in a very large book. Many people go to Amsterdam docks to greet him. He mounts a snow horse and rides through the streets in a great parade, amid many festivities.

All Dutch children know that Sinterklaas lived in Spain, where he spends his time recording the behavior of all the children in his little red book, while Piet stocks up on the presents.

We took Collin and Ethan to the shopping mall to see Sinterklaas arrive.  The slide show has photos of us watching the "Black Pete" band, Sinterklaas arriving on his horse drawn carriage, and Black Pete passing out candy to all the children.  I know, the "Black Petes" aren't exactly politically correct, but it is a very old tradition here in the Netherlands.

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