Sinterklaas

As everyone knows (Probably better than I do) Christmas is coming soon! The Dutch do not really celebrate everything the same way we do. In order to expose the castle kids to the Dutch culture, they have been throwing little celebrations to show their traditions.

On Tuesday night they had two choirs (One of little kids and one of old people) come sing Dutch carols for us. They were both pretty terrible, but it was still fun. At one point they would sing a song in Dutch and then we would sing the next verse in English.


This guy did NOT want to be there...


Old Dutch people singing


Little Dutch children singing


Dutch Jazzy wheelchair

Instead of Santa Clause coming on Christmas and giving presents, the Dutch have Sinterklaas (This is actually the genesis of the American Santa Clause) who comes on December 5th and gives presents. So to let us experience Sinterklaas Rob Duckers came into the dining hall last night dressed up as Sinterklaas and gave little presents to everyone.


Rob dressed up at Sinterklaas

Also instead of elves, Sinterklaas has little black slaves. So Johnny and Rene dressed up as his slaves...

Not only are they in full on black face, but their names were "Blake Pete" and "Pete Black"




All I could think was "This would never fly in America." Oh well. I live in a castle.