Netherlands: The Land of Reclamation
There’s a saying in the Netherlands: “God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands”. Because of its natural location that is always threatened…
Ode to Haarlem on her 775th Birthday
Hip, hip, hoera! Je bent jarig, mooie meid! (It’s your birthday, beautiful girl!). On November 23, 1245, Haarlem, now the capital city of North Holland,…
Genieten—go enjoy yourself!
Two years ago, I came as a trailing wife (with our then 4-year-old son) to my husband to Suriname. He goes there regularly to teach…
‘Denk aan de Buren’
I encountered this phrase first when I was volunteering at an international NGO that focuses on sexual reproductive health and rights. One day, lying on…
Not Locked or Down: the Dutch Approach to the Pandemic
For the Dutch, lockdown doesn’t mean locked or down. When the first package of measures was announced in the second week of March many thought it was the end of freedom as we know it. However, compared to other countries, the Dutch way has always been keeping basic freedoms
Was Philippine Hero Rizal Inspired by the Dutch novelist Multatuli?
Rizal’s books are mostly relevant because of his convictions and ideas, full of interesting thoughts about a fair and just government, about non-violence, religion, etc.
Een Gezellig Kerstdiner (What a Cozy Christmas Dinner)
Ping! My WhatsApp just had another message and it loosely read: Parents, here is one last announcement, “a Christmas Fashion Show is organized for the…
Message of acceptance at the Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade
This year’s Pride celebrations commemorate 50 years since the Stonewall riots that broke out in New York and paved way to the LGBT movement around…
Keukenhof: World’s Most Beautiful Spring Garden
A Keukenhof without flowers is like Artis Zoo without animals. The world’s most beautiful spring garden is only open for 8 weeks every year. Enjoy…
Finding diamonds in Antwerp
If you’re looking to buy a diamond, Antwerp is the place but I wonder where the diamonds come from. Could they be blood diamonds? I…