Christmas in Iowa was again delightful. We spent lots of time with our kids, saw extended family, saw friends when possible, and got wedding planning done in between. The trip started out with our daughter in law graduating from nursing school. The event came with much relief for Megan, who put a LOT of blood, sweat and tears into the two year program. She will take her board tests in February, and hopefully will start working in Des Moines in March.
Unusual January for Goes
We returned to Dutch land at the beginning of January on a good day. Flights were cancelled the day before we flew, and they were cancelled for 5 days after we flew. But our flight day let us squeak into the Netherlands.
The Netherlands doesn’t get much snow anymore, so when several inches came that first week of January, they didn’t know how to handle it. There were many car accidents on the highways. Hospital emergency rooms were crazy busy with cyclist and pedestrian falls. The trains can’t run as normal, forcing employees to work from home if possible.
But we flew in during a lull. That Saturday was warmer and surfaces had melted a bit. Despite leaving at a different time than expected, we landed beautifully in Amsterdam. The train ran perfectly and we got to Goes safely. The walk from the train station to our home was a bit slick, but neither of us went down. 🙂
In the attached pictures, you can see the sun come up from the plane window. We landed in Amsterdam around 8am, so it was just starting to get light outside. You can also see lit up Amsterdam with the moon still hanging out above.
In the days that followed our arrival back to the Netherlands, the snow wreaked havoc. They hadn’t had this many snow issues in three years. No one was getting in or out of the country by plane, and very few were even getting to or from Schipol Airport because the trains weren’t running. The news said that the airport was inaccessible. We were thankful to be in our home here!
But the sight from home was beautiful, I must say. The snow came down in huge white bundles. I read a book and watched the snow in between pages. Most of my weekly activities were cancelled that first week back. I was able to just stay home and look at the snow from inside.
When I did venture out on my bike because we needed food, I was surprised by the difficulties I had in commuting. Very few city streets or bike paths were cleared. Sidewalks for sure were piled with inches of snow. For a culture that relies on biking and walking for every day needs, I am surprised they don’t have a snow plan in place. But the people just walk or bike through the snow, and wait for the temps to rise so that the snow disappears. This time it took about 5 days.
Here’s a few pics from after one of the storms passed.
Dutch New Year Customs
Actually, I will start with Oudejaarsavond, or Old Year’s Evening in English. This is the evening of December 31. Fireworks are a big deal on December 31. Any person can buy fireworks locally and set them off on December 31, and they do, the WHOLE day. I am told that fireworks can be heard in every Dutch city and neighborhood from the time that the sun comes up on December 31 to the time that it comes up on January 1. All night the sky is lit up with fireworks, in every direction. There are of course a lot of problems with fires, physical destruction, and loss of body parts.
Other than fireworks, the Dutch like to gather with loved ones on Oudejaarsavond and play games or watch tv. The traditional Oudejaarsavond food is Oliebollen. This is a fried donut in a ball shape. It is often rolled in sugar or powdered sugar. Many people make them at home for the old year occasion.
A tradition for January 1 is the Polar Plunge. The larger percentage of people don’t participate in this. But there is a brave group of Dutch people that like to jump in the icy waters of the ocean or in a lake on January 1. I don’t understand the significance or the fun in it, but it also is a big deal around here.
We have not been in the area to witness the above activities, but we do notice the meet and greets after January 1. Whenever a person runs into an acquaintance for the first time after the new year, a “congratulations” accompanied by a hug or handshake is in order. I noticed last year, at a coffee group I attend, that everyone who comes to the first gathering after January 1 shakes every single person’s hand and says their congrats over the New Year. I felt strange not going around the circle and shaking everyone’s hand last year, but I didn’t really know what was going on, and I couldn’t completely understand their Dutch language. But this year I will be prepared. 🙂
Finding Joy In January
Dutch people are traditionally known to hang calendars in their bathrooms. They like to keep track of birthdays and other notable dates, and what better time to remind yourself of important dates than while you are using the bathroom.
Every year Jeremy buys calendars from our church youth group fundraiser. I figured this year he would leave the calendars in our Iowa home, but I was pleasantly surprised to find one hanging in our downstairs bathroom in Goes. There was a hook on the wall anyway, so why not do as the Dutch do.
Last year I was super excited to find Primroses for sale in the outdoor market and in the grocery stores. I discovered that this flower can be left outside in near freezing temps, and give continual beautiful winter blooms.
So when I saw them out again this year, I snatched them up. I just love the vibrant colors. They cheer me when the month feels long and gloomy. I lined them up on my back yard table where I can see them out the window daily.
I got this massive container of parmesan as a Christmas gift this year. I deemed it worthy of suitcase room, and now it is enjoying time in the Netherlands.
The grated parmesan cheese here in the Dutch stores is real cheese, and therefore not as good as the Kraft version that is mostly salt. 🙂 I missed my American parmesan. We affectionately call this large container “Big Mama.” She also brings cheer to these winter days.
And that is all for this January blog post. We are slowly getting back into routine, enjoying the new year already and excited for what 2026 will bring. I hope you all are well and I thank you for your support in our Dutch journey. And thank you for reading about my experiences big and small.
Loved your latest post upon your return to Goes! Stay warm and cozy and enjoy those primroses outside your window! 🙂 Roxine