A Touch of Dutch

There may be one more blog entry before I go for a while, but I wanted to stop by for now to share this new Dutch commercial I saw recently on TV for Eneco [a Dutch energy company] featuring Dutch gezegdes or gezegden [English: sayings]. The tourist guide shares with them Dutch sayings somehow relating to wind, directly translated from Dutch to English. These, of course, make no sense to the tourists:

The gezegdes he uses:

"Legt geen windeieren." English: Not laid his/its wind eggs [the passengers understand wind eggs as Windex]. Means, in this case, the windmills have made some profit.
"Advies in de wind slaan." English: Beat my advice in the wind. Means to throw advice to the wind, or not follow the advice of someone. He suggests they eat a frikandel, but they don't have to listen to his advice.
"De wind van voren krijgen." English: He gets the wind from the front. Means someone is being lectured, and in this case the boy is being lectured by his mom.
"Stink een uur in de wind." English: They smell an hour in the wind. Means something really stinks, and in this case he thinks that they think the herring stinks.
"Je kan niet van de wind leven." English: From the wind we can not live. Means you can't live off of air alone, and in many cases said in Dutch when asking for a donation.

More to come when I return!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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Image © Holly Clark

Soon I'll be on my way to spend one of the nicest ways to end this great year: Going to see family and friends in different parts of America for a portion of the holidays. I won't be away for the whole holiday season, but I will celebrate holidays in both my home country in various cities in America, as well as in the Netherlands, enjoying what I like the most from each. Feeling a bit nostalgic lately, this will definitely be a very nice treat since I have not been to America during the holidays since 2005.

My favorites during the Christmas season in the Netherlands are:

Glühwein. You can buy or make it with or without alcohol. For the non-alcoholic recipe, click here.
Goodies from the gebakkraam.
Taai-taai and pepernoten or kruidnoten.
Kerstverlichting [English: Christmas lights] and kerstversiering [English: Christmas décor].
Christmas markets. They have them in the Netherlands, but I also enjoy those in Germany: Weihnachtsmarkt. This is where the sounds of music and smells of cloves and ginger seem to fill the air. The spirit of the season is really alive there. I love to see the crafts for sale and try something new to eat and drink each time I visit.
Christmas is, of course, celebrated in the Netherlands. But it seems to me that each year the decorating becomes more than the year before. After Sinterklaas pays the children a visit, the homes seem instantly decorated for the Kerstdagen [English: Two Christmas days; December 25 and 26]. Some before. Or maybe it's just in my neighborhood where I get the idea that the decorating seems to become more each year? How is it in your Dutch neighborhood? The neighbors on my street seem to add more décor to the outside of their homes each year. It's a slow progression: It went from the few homes with a front window only having lights, to now the bushes and trees in their front yards also decorated with lights, as well as a wreath on their front door. Same people, just something new each year. It's as if they are boldly daring each other to do more each year, and I get a kick out of it. I look forward to the day when they too have life-size Christmas characters by their front door.

In America, there is so much I want to see! And when I return, I will be sharing this all in photos and stories. What I most would like to do this holiday season in America:

Thanksgiving with my family. Priceless.
Seeing family members who are either no longer able to fly comfortably halfway around the world or who can't afford it. Priceless.
Sitting across the table, in the same room and also going shopping with my best friend. Also very priceless!
Eggnog!
Shopping. The U.S. dollar is unfortunately down to about ±67 euro cents, but this is a good thing in my situation. For every euro, I will get about $1.47, meaning the prices for goods, converted, will be lower. So Black Friday, here I come!
Christmas lights. I can see these in the Netherlands, of course. But then again, I feel there is a magic about it. And in America, some go wild when it comes to decorating with lights. Often, this is great to see. Even if some go over-the-top with larger-than-life versions of light-up Frosty the Snowman and Disney character carolers all over their front yard.
Taking the children of my family and friends to see Santa.
Eating dinner in a restaurant which has a view of the Pacific Ocean. . .

One of the areas in particular I'll be visiting is south of Los Angeles, along the Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, Balboa and Laguna Beach, California. In that area, there are many places I will visit. These are just a few visual samples of where I will be visiting, and hopefully I'll get to see at least one sunset like this. . .

Image © Holly Clark

A So Cal surfer and sunset on the Pacific Ocean.
And, below, some pieces of Newport Beach and Balboa. . .

Image © Holly Clark

Have you ever been to Newport Beach, California? If so, what are you favorite places? I enjoy shopping at the Fashion Island Mall [and even up to Irvine to the Spectrum Center], going down to the pier at Newport Bay/Balboa and driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at Ruby's Shake Shack at Crystal Cove along the way to Laguna Beach.

Newport Beach pier. . .

Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

There is much more to do at Newport Beach and Balboa, but it will feel especially nice to take my time and enjoy what is around me, no rush. I think each of us expats have during a certain part of the year at least a few moments where we reflect back on the best of where we've lived and areas that we're familiar with and enjoyed. There is nothing wrong with this. I am comfortable in my life in the Netherlands, even though there have been sometimes when it was not always so easy, but it sure does feel good every once in a while to dream about places to go on vacation or about visiting family and friends. This is something I need to go do at least once a year, and I would suggest it to any expat: go on a vacation to a place in the world where you've never been or make a trip to see some family and friends. For me, this time around, it means going to gather with family and friends. . .

Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

And then there's Laguna Beach!
Here are a few views. . .

Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

About Laguna: When you turn off the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach to Broadway Street, you will find many shops. Some are art galleries, and every month on the first Thursday is ArtWalk. There are also several other art associated events in Laguna Beach. Some other shops in Laguna Beach are surfer-themed and shops with one-of-a-kind souvenirs. The last time I was there, I bought handmade sandals, and my mother-in-law bought all of her souvenirs for Dutch family and friends since many of the souvenirs seemed to be more original than the typical seen elsewhere. I don't remember where we ate, but there were a lot of places by the beach to choose from. Near the Laguna Art Museum is one restaurant I recall well, Las Brisas, where we had coffee and dessert. They sit directly on the beach, and they have an outdoor terrace with heating and beautiful ocean view, along with a nice pathway leading down to the beach. . .

Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

When visiting Laguna Beach, do be aware during the summer months or weekends, especially when the weather is ideal, for an overload of tourists. The hills above Laguna Beach are filled with cliffside homes and parking can become limited. An option is to park on these residential streets, respecting the signage and the parking availability of residents. However, it's not always a guarantee you can park on these streets. It may be ideal to park somewhere further away and either take the bus, shuttle or tram, or plan on a walk. If it is summer, the shuttle is free. Either way, don't be discouraged because the area is really a worth the visit. It's just hard to predict ahead of time how busy it will become, but do be prepared.

The hills above Laguna Beach have had some recent natural disasters, but you probably wouldn't notice if you weren't told ahead of time because of how quickly and well the area is cared for. In 1993, the hillside was on fire [video], and in 1995 they had a flash flood [video].

You can learn more about Laguna Beach at this link.

Further on my upcoming visit: I'm not a big fast food fanatic. I can count on one hand how many times I eat fast food in a year, but of course I'm going to splurge while I'm over there on some favorites at least a few times. . .

Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

Root beer floats, curly fries and In-n-Out! Naturally, I also have to pay a visit Taco Bell and Del Taco. . . And shopping galore, but of course!

Image © Holly Clark

And how could I not go shopping?
Target, you're first on my list!

Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

Having said all of this, it should be an interesting Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season! I'll update as much as possible while I'm away, but be prepared for a lot of my own photos when I return. And I wish for you all a very happy holiday season as well, no matter what you celebrate!