20th Nov - Sint Nicolaas arrives!!!!!
After much standing around in the cold in Leidseplein, Sint Nicolaas arrived today and we are looking forward to receiving our presents on December 5th. Not sure what the black characters are but we think they were either chimney sweeps or slaves (Holland was influential in the slave trade through the Dutch East India Company after all).
posted by Most Liveable at 4:47 AM
5 Comments:
Hi Mark and Tam,
the black characters are called "Black Peter". I'm not sure of the fuill story, but origianlly Black Peter represented the Devil whom fell under the control of St Nick (Sanata Claus). St Nick would make Black Peter help him distribute candy and lollies to good children by dropping them down the chimney stacks. Bad children would be whisked away by Black Peter never to be seen again. Good reason to be good and scared of Black Peter!
Matthew
Thanks Matt,
The people we spoke to here didn't know the full story and were trying to remember from childhood.
Hope all is well on the home front and looking forward to catching up when we return.
Thanks Matt,
The people we spoke to here didn't know the full story and were trying to remember from childhood.
Hope all is well on the home front and looking forward to catching up when we return. Mark
Hi guys
It certainly looks a colorful festival. I've just done a catch up on the last week or so, and as usual you have travelled far and seen heaps - life will be boring in comparison when you return!
Iain
Hi why are you getting presents so early. Hope you have both been good or we might never see you again that would spoil my holiday luv floss
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