Hey!

Yesterday the Odysseus ‘91 Dames 3 played in a 7 versus 7 tournament held at KDS, another football club in Utrecht. The theme of the tournament was Oud Hollandsche Spelen (Old Dutch Games). We played 5 games (20 minutes each) and won 4, lost only one. It was a super day, hanging with my teammates, scoring a few goals, and practicing my Dutch.

Between games, we had time to watch the other Ody teams participating in the tournament and to play typically Dutch games such as Sjoelen (kind of a bit like shuffleboard) and Koekhappen (where a bit of breakfast bread, called Ontbijt Koek, is suspended in the air and the object is that you’re the first to eat it all off the string. See example photos here and here. The first is of children, which is what the game is meant for, and the second is of the Crown Prince Willem Alexander being typically Dutch.). Another game we played was called Spijkerpoepen, where you tie a string with a nail around your waist–the nail is suspended–and you try to squat while coercing the nail into the mouth of a wine bottle. This one was quite tough, but very funny to see 20-something-year-old women squatting for this one. Example pictures here and here. The games were a fun intermission to our soccer fun. When all was said and done, we were the champions (kampioenen) of the Tournament!

This week I have a lot of fun in store. Thursday is (another) national holiday, Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day) and since Friday occurs between a national holiday and a weekend, it is a compulsory day off as well. Have I mentioned how much I love this country and its policies toward vacation?

That reminds me of an interesting piece in the New York Times magazine written by an American living in the Netherlands. He does a good job of addressing the seemingly large gap between American and the Netherlands (and discusses the elements of the Socialism label that many Americans are quick to tag the Dutch state with despite not understanding that there are benefits conferred to all citizens when taxes are paid). If you have time and are interested, it is found here.

At any rate, Wednesday I am headed down to the very South of the country to Heerlen, where Stijn’s family lives to hang with the fam a bit and to visit a restaurant called Cuba Libre for a story he is doing. Apparently, you can negotiate the price of your meal, very helpful in these economic crisis times we’re in-haha. Then, Friday, we’re off with a couple of his colleagues to the Efteling, a Dutch themepark apparently very well crafted and typically Dutch as well. One of the more popular rides as I understand it is the Vliegende Hollander (yes, the Flying Dutchman). I think for me it’s an excuse to revert back to being a 12-year-old again…

(This is the entrance to the Efteling–woah).

So, that’s the latest and greatest. Other than this, I’m busy busy with my job and thesis writing. I hope you’re all well! Hope to give you a full report soon on all the fun from the coming week. Tot ziens!