Sinterklaas! [Archive] - VeniceTalk Forums

sunchild

11-11-2002, 12:30 PM

For those who don't know Sinterklaas:

He's Santa's roll-model, but wears a dress, is supposed to arrive in The Netherlands and Belgium by steamboat next saturday, rides a white horse that eats shoe-food and is usually accompanied by a number of politically incorrect assistants who spend their time running around on our rooftops and eavesdropping in our houses so they can report our children's behaviour to Sinterklaas. He's mentioned in Randy's newly acquired book called the Undutchables.

I would like to invite all dutchies to post Sinterklaas-photo's and stories..

MirKiVa

11-11-2002, 12:34 PM

We'll do as soon as zwarte piet has come by our house!

sunchild

11-11-2002, 12:35 PM

First story:

When my oldest sister was three years old sinterklaas visited our house. She had been prepared by my mother and was allowed to stay up for this important holy housecall. My father had unfortunately been called away for business.. So when the doorbell rang she ran to the door to open it, took a good look at Sinterklaas and called out:"hey, he's got the same shoes as my daddy! Wait a minute. You're not Sinterklaas! You are my daddy!

rredv

11-11-2002, 12:37 PM

Here's a nice link to a Sinterklaas site in English.

http://www.dutchmarket.com/sklaas.html

sunchild

11-11-2002, 12:45 PM

For undutchable igno's:

http://www.theundutchables.com/

conny

11-11-2002, 09:42 PM

i know one story of my remberance off Sinterklaas.
The whole family was gathered and we`d already got some presents and than they wanted me to sit on Sinterklaas`s lap en give him a kiss.
Well..... there was nobody who could persuade me to do that.
didn`t even wanna think about sitting on a strange man`s lap :D

:wave: conny

nikkelenkuijper

11-11-2002, 11:11 PM

I played a few times "zwarte piet"at my sisters' and the kids never saw it was me, even when I was pregnant they didn't had a clue. When the oldest was too old for it we told him it was me who always was visiting them at Sinterklaas and he couldn't believe it. Next time came and Nick knew it was me but when he saw me in my outfit you saw on his face that he didn't knew what to believe. Was it me or was it Zwarte Piet. My little niece ofcourse again didn't saw it and when she went to bed I took of my wig and Nick saw it really was me. He was so surprised. He almost believed again, till I took of my wig. Now we do it again with our son, but now we rent some zwarte pieten every year and it's so fun. The excitement on his face when they come in our house, it's great to celebrate every year.

Ellen

Su2000

11-11-2002, 11:14 PM

I still remember the day when my parents told me that Sinterklaas doesn't exist. We were watching sports on tv. I must have been about 6 years old.
I thought that it was the greatest injustice in the world and didn't speak to my parents for about a week. They lied to me!

:( :D

MirKiVa

11-12-2002, 04:10 AM

I remember playing zwarte piet for my cousins. Well...I had to throw some "pepernoten"(with my black gloves on) through the window my aunt an uncle left open. I ran away to jump on my bike but....my key was gone!!! Oh no!!! I threw it through the window!!!!! Fortunately my cousins forgot the "pepernoten and just wanted to see "sinterklaas" and "zwarte piet". They ran outside, saw me coming, started to shout that "zwarte piet" had been there and ran off looking for him. rotfl I got enough time to look for my key, between the pepernoten and my aunt and uncle rolling on the floor laughing at me! rotfl rotfl rotfl

pfoeh! The believed for a few years longer! No thanks to me! :D

Miriam :wave:

kaja

11-12-2002, 10:11 AM

I was about 8 years old and we were having our Holidays on "Terschelling" when my mum told me that "Sinterklaas" didn't exist.
I was totaly shocked. :shocked:
You know why????????
I kept my mouth shut for about 2 years, because I thought my mum and dad still believed he did. :D
rotfl rotfl rotfl

Andrea Lagro

11-18-2002, 01:17 AM

Hahahahahaha!!! :D :D :D :D. That's very very very funny!!!! Bright kid.....

rotfl
Andrea

Andrea Lagro

11-18-2002, 01:31 AM

My nephew stayed at our house last weekend..... We (me, my sister and him amongst others) watched Sinterklaas arriving in Groningen (great to see: camels, elephant, acrobats, very very long row of various stuff, sheep, old firebrigade wagon et cetera).

We almost forgot to put the shoe next to the fire-place (he was already in bed, about to go to sleep, when we had to go downstairs again). He sang "Sinterklaas Kapoentje" next to the chimney....

My boyfriend had been shopping for chocolate letters (found a K for himself and an A for me), but could not find an R for Ravi (my nephew), so he bought the "B". So we had ourselves a serious problem, Saturday evening......

I started writing a letter on the computer, "Dearest Ravi" about "did you see me arriving in Groningen" and "the Surprise Piet sent me in the wrong direction. I was so angry with him..." "And then, you know what happened? The Chocolade Letter Piet bought the wrong letter for you. He did not buy the R but a B. Luckily the B looks a little like the R. I'm gonna have to send him back to school when we get back to Spain. Anyway, I hope you still enjoy your chocoladeletter, dear Bavi." My nephew thought it was hilarious. He was so proud he received a letter from Sinterklaas. Esp. the signature that my boyfriend wrote at the end of the letter "Sint" did the trick. Was he a happy boy...

On the other hand, I almost feel bad in tricking him.... I presume it will be his last Sinterklaas. Is a very very bright kid, don't think he will still "believe" next year....

Andrea

nikkelenkuijper

11-18-2002, 01:36 AM

I already now have problems. We were to Herkingen, watching Sint coming on a mini boat with some pieten. Sint was looking not so good, bad clothing, you know...... It all was nice and Sean shook his hand. We went home and started looking at Sint in Zaltbommel. Sean said to me: "Mum that's the real Sint" I asked why he thought that the Sint in Herkingen wasn't a real one. He said he had a different voice. Can you believe that, he's only 4,5 years old and already notices the difference. I don't think I must play for piet, he would recognise me I'm afraid.

Ellen

Andrea Lagro

11-18-2002, 02:50 AM

Clever boy. Don't play Piet is my suggestion too. On the other hand, there is this story of a friend of mine, noticing Sint has the same shoes as her dad. She is sitting on her dad's lap (Sinterklaas), but did not link the shoes and her dad being Sinterklaas.... So, there is hope..... :D

rotfl
Andrea

sunchild

11-18-2002, 05:35 AM

Wow!

Super stories everyone! Keep 'em coming!!
This is turning into a great thread!:p

MirKiVa

11-19-2002, 11:54 AM

I have a new one!
Last sunday my girls were allowed to put their shoe. Because we don't have a chimney they could put them by the frontdoor. I told them to put it under the letterbox so Sinterklaas could drop his presents in their shoe trough there. When Marjolein went to bed, going upstairs, she said: mum, our shoes are in the way because Sinterklaas has to come trough the door. When he tries to come trough the letterbox he will get stuck with his head. He is too big for it!! (she became 3 years yesterday!)
I almost fell down the stairs laughing! rotfl rotfl rotfl

Miriam :wave:

Jolanda Z.

11-19-2002, 12:20 PM

rotfl Children can say the most amazing things! Where did they get that intellect? Are they your genes Miriam?

My story on Sinterklaas: when my youngest sister still believed, my mother forced us to sing the songs with her, while my parents put something in our shoes. To get rid of this task, we made up a nice contest: sing as many Sinterklaas-songs as fast as you can! That meant we were done within the minute!:D :D

Greets Jolanda

MirKiVa

11-19-2002, 12:27 PM

LOL !!! I can just hear the songs...Sinterklaas kapoentje, Sinterklaasje bonnebonnebonne (who made up these lyrics?! :confused: ) and Sie ginds komt de stoomboot!

And...ofcourse my intellect! Who's else is there :D ! (sorry hubbie!rotfl , just glad he doesn't read this rotfl )

Miriam :wave:

sunchild

11-19-2002, 12:43 PM

:sing:See the moon shines through the treehees..:sing:

Any surprise stories anyone??

A good friend of mine called me a few days ago. She told me that she had drawn her sister in law in this year's surprise lottery, and she didn't know what to do.. I asked her which of her sister in law's? "Oh", she said, "The one that just got married. You know I don't understand that girl. She spent months and months dieting so that she would fit in a size 38 (is that 8 in US?) wedding dress, and you should see her now she's come back from her honeymoon. Unbelievable, and just when she's bought all these new clothes!" I said "Oh? Sounds like a yoyo to me.."
So my friend is making her sister in law a giant yoyo and a nasty poem to with it....:D :D
Can't wait to see that poem... hahaha

astrid

11-22-2002, 12:42 PM

Surprise stories... Let's see...
Okay, here's a funny one.
I'm in a choir and so is my boyfriend. In December we had surprise in a room behind the church where we always rehearse. Geoff, my boyfriend, (although he wasn't my boyfriend back then), had made a surprise for Danielle, one of the girls in the choir: a cat playing with a ball of wool. Danielle's present was inside the ball of wool, so Danielle had to unwind the entire ball before she could get to her present. At first she was unwinding it very patiently, but after a while she started throwing the ball to the other choir members. We joined in and started to throw the ball around, helping Danielle unwind it. By the time we got to Danielle's present, the *entire* room was coverd in wool, and so were we!! That was soooo funny!!! :D :D :D
Okay, so that's it for this surprise story, I see if I can think of more.
cya,
Astrid

astrid

11-22-2002, 12:46 PM

Oh, and about Sinterklaas songs...
I work at a supermarket, and the radio there just keeps on playing Sinterklaas songs all day... *really* annoying, coz they only have a few different songs... After hearing 'Zie ginds komt de stoomboot' for the sixth time in 3 hours, I really had enough! ;)
cya
Astrid

sunchild

11-22-2002, 01:19 PM

The church tower here in Meppel has a carillion. A friend of mine lives right next to the church.. November and december are a nightmare for her.. she has sinterklaas-songs now and after dec 5 christmas carols. Every 15 minutes...

danielle

11-23-2002, 02:47 AM

That must be so awful! It's fun for the kids, though and it's their party!:) But i don't like to here those songs over and over again too! At one point you've heard them so often, they won't go out of your head, it's no fun! When i've reached that point, i just put on a Venice record and the Sinterklaas songs will disappear out of my head!It's a good remedy:up:

Danielle

MirKiVa

11-25-2002, 11:32 PM

We went to see Sinterklaas this weekend (again). I'll try to post one of the pics we made.

Miriam:wave:

MirKiVa

11-25-2002, 11:40 PM

This actually is zwarte piet (as if you didn't notice..).
Here's the Sint! His horse died :D and he didn't practice with his new one so that's why...... rotfl

danielle

11-25-2002, 11:40 PM

Nice picture Miriam! Your girls aren't afraid of 'zwarte piet', are they? Last saturday Sinterklaas was in our town as well and a lot children are afraid of zwarte piet and ran off! It's great to see all those little faces when they see Sinterklaas, so cute!:)

Danielle

MirKiVa

11-25-2002, 11:46 PM

My oldest, Marjolein, was afraid last week when she first saw them. This weekend she wasn't afraid anymore. She even went after them with her little bag with candy, to get more!! :D :o
My youngest, Evelien, is really studying these strange men and women. These black faces she finds very interesting.

It's great indeed to see all these children with red cheeks off excitement! I love it and can't get enough off it.

Miriam :wave:

sunchild

11-26-2002, 05:33 AM

Great pic's, Mirjam!

How did the girls react? Are they still scared of Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet? Or just shy?;)

Oh! I just saw.. you already answered my questions...:o

I remember how my heart used to pound at the very sight of them when I was little.. I was always very nervous for the Big Day.. december 5. Until I got my presents I was a nervous wreck for days...

Andrea Lagro

11-27-2002, 03:25 AM

Great pictures!!! Went to see Sinterklaas with my nephew, but I forgot my flippin' camera!!!!!

My nephew has a very big mouth most of the time and thinks he is very very very "cool" :cool:, but NOT when he sees Zwarte Piet.... He gets all shy and holds on to my legs....

rotfl
Andrea

nikkelenkuijper

11-29-2002, 01:31 PM

Tomorrow is the day. I''m going to Het feest van Sinterklaas in Ahoy and my son is so nervous and me too. I went also last year in Utrecht and it''s so great to see all thos little kids singing and dancing their longs out. Sean is a great fan of Ernst Bobbie en de rest and Bob de Bouwer and they are all there tomorrow. He was so glad we''re going tomorrow. Im an adult but I'm so looking forward to it.

Ellen

Lisa

12-01-2002, 04:30 AM

HI Ellen!! How was the big Sinterklaasfeest?? It always seems like fun when I watch it on the TV.........let us know how it was!!

My son visited Sinterklaar yesterday in the hospital I work in........he's 4 years and this year's the first year he really believes and understands what is happening. Fun !!

Here he is with Sinterklaas and Zwarte Pieten:

sunchild

12-01-2002, 05:47 AM

Wow Lisa!

Awesome picture!

He looks like it too! A true believer! I'm really glad you had such a great time!

Sunny

nikkelenkuijper

12-01-2002, 11:04 PM

Ohh it was great, Ahoy rocked and Sean lost his mind I believe. He was standing on his chair and danced and singed all the time. They began with a parade with all the artists and we had great places, just in front 6th row, so Sean could go to the front in see all the artist so close. He kept screeming for Bassie and Adriaan and ofcourse Bob de Bouwer. He gave de real Sint a hand and de Wegwijspiet. I made great pics, so I try to scan them when they are developed. Next year we will be there again for sure.

Ellen

Lisa

12-02-2002, 05:23 AM

Hi Ellen,

Tommy (my son) and me watched the party in Ahoy on TV yesterday, it looked like BIG FUN !!
I can imagine that you enjoyed yourselves!! Love to see some pictures..........
Now it's just leaving shoes near the fireplace and waiting for "pakjesavond" this thursday!!
Funny........but I believe Sinterklaas in "Back" in Holland, it was a little bit quiet the last few years, anmd more and more people were getting in to "X-mas"........but I believe that the old dutch traditional Sinterklaas is BACK!!
And I just LOVE IT.
:up: :up:

nikkelenkuijper

12-02-2002, 05:28 AM

Yaeh, the tradition is coming back and I like it too. It has to stay for the kids. I like it more than christmas. We are gonna celebrate Sinterklaas tomorrow evening with a real Sinterklaas and some Pieten. I will not tell Sean, because I'm not gonna have some sleep tonight, again. He was out of his bad last night at 3.oo, because we wanted to eat he said, but the truth came out, he just wanted to check his shoe and then it took hours before he and ofcourse me, slept again.

Ellen

Lisa

12-02-2002, 05:36 AM

Hi hi hi........I recognize that!! Tommy awakes a lot the last week, has to go to the toilet, have a drink........and other stuff.............but every time he asks me: did you see something in my shoe????

Hi hi........I just love that, it's very mysterious and special for the kids. I'm enjoying it too!!!

And I never believed in Sinterklaas, cause I wasn't born here, and was too old to believe it when we came to the Netherlands.........but I love the tradition!!

Promise to leave some pictures here form Ahoy!

nikkelenkuijper

12-02-2002, 05:39 AM

I will, but I first have to develop them and than I have to ask a collegue to scan them, but I will do it, although it may take some time.

sunchild

12-02-2002, 05:51 AM

Ellen, this is a little bit off topic, but when you have photo's developed, you can have them printed on Cd for a few euro's more. They will be jpg-files that you can post directly.... ever tried?

nikkelenkuijper

12-02-2002, 05:55 AM

You're kidding me. I didn't know that. I'm gonna try that. I develop them at Hema.

sunchild

12-02-2002, 06:03 AM

On the envelope it is an extra option, You'll see.

Another tip: Blokker is cheaper and much better colours..

Let's go back on topic again?
:p

nikkelenkuijper

12-02-2002, 06:04 AM

We're on topic, aren't we. We are talking about pictures of Sinterklaas, so on-topic.:p I'll try Blokker this time. Thanks!

MirKiVa

12-02-2002, 12:19 PM

Great picture Lisa!

Ellen, great that you and Sean had such a fantastic time. Didn't see it on TV unfortunately. Maybe I will go with my girls next year. It sounds like fun!

Miriam :wave:

nikkelenkuijper

12-03-2002, 12:12 AM

If they like Fox Kids characters, then you must go. It's one big party all the time and all the kids are singing and dancing. So fun to see. Next year it will be in Ahoy again:D

Tonight we have sinterklaas evening and everyting is packed and at about 17.30 Sint and his Pieten will arrive with two bags with presents. Every year I tell myself I will not buy to much and everytime when I got home I'm saying, I again have to many presents. The grandma's and grandpa's also take some with them so lots of unpacking to do.

Ellen