Clem, Alkmaar, the Netherlands

magicwoman


Posted Jun 3, 2008, 9:51 pm
Hi Mum
I arrived today safely in Holland
I'm doing fine
I allready met two friends.They are also Toyvoyagers It are Bene and Iggy-Korn
The weather in Holland is very muggy at the moment.And the sun is shining
I'm sure I'm having a good time here :D
Photos soon ;)
I'm taking a nap now cause I'm very tired at the moment.I'm to tired that I cant speak to my friends ;)

Bye Bye
Clem
magicwoman


Posted Jun 4, 2008, 11:00 am
Hi Mum

I slept the whole night long and now im ready to do things :D

Soo here are the pictures of my arrival

look my enveloppe :D

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0603.jpg

As you can see Iggy-Korn (the one on the right) and Bene (the one on the left) are dying to meet me

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0604.jpg

and look..here i am
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0605.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0606.jpg

Just the three of us :)

Bye Bye
Clem
magicwoman


Posted Jun 5, 2008, 6:30 pm
Hi Mum
Today I've helped Marije with cooking a meal
At first I have to peel the potatoes
Watch out for the knive it can be sharp ;)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0609.jpg

After that we have to boil the potatoes

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0610.jpg

When the potatoes are cooking we watched a TV show ( It was ER)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0613.jpg

And this was the result
Baked potatoes,with salmon and white beans in tomato sauce
DELICIOUS :D

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0614.jpg

Bye Bye
Clem

magicwoman


Posted Jun 7, 2008, 2:57 pm
Hi,
Today I helped Marije with cleaning the room.It was a very  tiring labour,but I have to do it ;)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0624.jpg

First I have to hoover the room


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0617.jpg

After that I have to change the refuse bag


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0622.jpg

and then cleaning the window sill

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0625.jpg

And now im finished i'm so happy I take a nap cause it was very tiring

Bye Bye
Clem
magicwoman


Posted Jun 11, 2008, 11:15 am
Hi mum
Today I said goodbye to Bene.She is goint to another host in the USA.
I was very emotional.Cause I hate to say goodbye.

As a goodbye treat Bene bought "drop"for me and Iggy-Korn
Thats Dutch Candy

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0634.jpg

Bene gives me a big goodbye hug

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0638.jpg

And as a surprise ,all the Dutch bear friends came and say goodbye!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0639.jpg

BYE BYE BENE MISS YOU!!

Greets
Clem


magicwoman


Posted Jun 11, 2008, 2:44 pm
hi mum
This month in Holland it is the European Soccer games.
Soccer is a very important sport in Holland.It is the number one sport here.
Many European countrys played soccer against each other.And there is only one winner.One european country.
We have this each four years.
Ofcourse Holland plays to.This monday they played against Italy.And Holland won :D
This Friday they had to play against France.And offcourse I am support the Dutch Soccer team
The colour Orange is the Dutch National colour.Everything in Holland is orange at the moment.You can buy orange things in the shops.And the Dutch Soccer team plays in Orange shirts!!!
And i'm orange tooo!!


look at me

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0640.jpg

Offcourse i'm gonna watch the soccer game friday
I hope Holland wins this match

Marije learned me a Dutch Soccer song
here is the song

Hup Holland Hup
Laat de leeuw niet in zijn hempie staan!
Hup Holland Hup!

I sing this Friday!!

Bye BYe
Clem

magicwoman


Posted Jun 14, 2008, 1:07 pm
Hi mum
Yesterday I was watching the European Championshio soccer.At some ones house.Holland has to play against France.Offcourse I was so nervous.Cause I support the Dutchies.And I can tell you it was a stunning game!!

But first we have to drive to it

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0642.jpg

Me and Iggy-Korn with a Dutch orange hand

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0643.jpg

Before the game a Dutch Presenter and the famoush Johan Cruijf (the one on the right) talked about the game.Marije told me that Johan Cruijf was a very good soccer player in the 60s and 70s! When he was young.He played the European championship to!And in the Dutch soccer team

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0644.jpg

Me and Iggy-Korn discuss about the game with a Dutch support bear.Its a Lion

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0645.jpg

waiting for the game watching the break.Go on i'm so nervous now!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0647.jpg

And the game begins.While listeningn to the Dutch national anthem

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0650.jpg

and guess what.The Netherlands has won :D
The played 4-1 they played amazing.I'm soo happy now

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0660.jpg

Bye Bye
Clem


magicwoman


Posted Jun 18, 2008, 2:42 pm
Hi mum
Today I ride on a Dutch bike.It was so diffycult cause I never done this before.But I was doing well :D

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0668.jpg

Look at me in a tree

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0671.jpg

Marije has a really cool moped.It look like a motorcycle but it isnt.Its a moped.And offcourse she takes me out for a ride :D

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0672.jpg

me in a Dutch Cloggy

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0675.jpg

And i'm giving the plants some water with a watring -can ,while Iggy-Korn rake the garden

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0677.jpg


Marije learned me a new Dutch phrase today.She learned me to say "I love You"in Dutch
The Dutch Peoples said "ik hou van jou"when they love each other.Thats nice to hear :D

Bye Bye
Clem
magicwoman


Posted Jun 23, 2008, 4:30 pm
Hi Mum
A new toyvoyager arrived this day at Marije her house
Offcourse I was so exciting to see it.

Here I am waiting with Iggy-Korn

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0678.jpg

Oww look its a dog :D

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0679.jpg

He told me his name was Ambrosius,WELCOME AMBROSIUS!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0680.jpg
magicwoman


Posted Jun 26, 2008, 6:24 pm
Hi Mum
Today we played a game called Monopoly.
The Dutch soccer lions were playing to.They called "welpies"
Itw as really great


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0682.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0685.jpg

And Guess what ,Ambrosius wins this game *yay*

After that we drinked a cup of coffee with a Dutch "Stroopwafel" it is a cookie with syrup in the middel

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0688.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0690.jpg

Bye Bye
Clem
magicwoman


Posted Jun 28, 2008, 2:55 pm
Hi Mum
Yesterday another new toyvoyager arrived again at marije her house,it looks like its rainig toyvoyagers these days

It is Trafalgar

look the envveloppe

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0691.jpg

you can see trafalgar allready


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0692.jpg

And look here he is its a bear

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0693.jpg

Bye Bye
Clem
magicwoman


Posted Jun 28, 2008, 6:55 pm
Hi mum
a few weeks ago Marije took me to a rock festival.Well I'm quite deaf I can tell you Listening to all that loud music.But it was fun
I've seen a few rock bands Marije told me it was Twisted Sister and Kiss.She told me it are old rockbands.But they are still rocking.
Marije didnt brought her usual camera but another one.
So Here are the pictures :D

The festival area

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/img017.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/img018.jpg

This is me watching Twisted Sister

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/img016.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/img019.jpg

and now it was time for kiss (what a weird guys they wear makeup  :o)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/img013.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/img014.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/img021.jpg

As you can see mummy I had a really great time!!!

Bye Bye Clem

magicwoman


Posted Jul 2, 2008, 4:54 pm
Hi Mum
Every morning I awake with very very loud noise here at Marije her home.I hate it cause I couldnt sleep !
I look out of the window and I see what the cause is.
They building houses across the street,and the are building at the moment.The view is terrible.Take a look the only thing you see is a hoisting crane and other things :(

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0702.jpg

But this afternoon I heard better noises.Cause Iggy-Korn and Ambrosius was giving a concert.Iggy played the guitar and Ambrosius was singing.It was really great to hear :D

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0697.jpg

After the concert I gived Iggy a flower as a thank you

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0698.jpg

Bye Bye
Clem
magicwoman


Posted Jul 3, 2008, 8:31 pm
Hi Mum
Today I'm saying goodbye i'm leaving Marije her house today.Ive done so many many wonderful things here.
I'm to emotional to talk at the moment.
But i'm going to Eryah now.And i'm sure i'll have a good time spending her house.She is a great host!!

It was Iggy his last day to!So we bought candy for Trafalgar and Ambrosius!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0708.jpg

We gave a big goodbye party!

And giving each other a goodbye hug

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/marije22000/100_0710.jpg

I'm having big big tears in my eyes now.Thank you for al the TV' s and Marije for having a great time here

Bye Bye Ede,Hello Alkmaar

Bye Bye
Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 7, 2008, 8:35 am
Hi mom!

Today i arrived at Eva her home in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. As soon as possible i update my travellog with pictures :)

Miss you!

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 7, 2008, 1:34 pm
Hello!

Here are the pictures of my arrival.

I didn't have to come out of the envelope myself. When the mailman brought me, the dog of my host was out of the kitchen. Normally when there is nobody around they bring him in there, but this time they forgot to do it. Dharma helped me a hand and before i know what happened i was out.

I was welcomed a few minutes later by other TV's
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend001.jpg

This are from the left to the right:
* Nepomuk
* Summy
* Dottie
* Roberto

Roberto has the same arms as me, so we can hug very good!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend002.jpg

I think i'm gonna have a great time here!

Big hugs Clem

Eryah


Posted Jul 7, 2008, 1:38 pm
Hello!

Today we were thinking what we can do...
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend003.jpg

Suddenly we had a great idea! We decided to play hide and seek.

Nepomuk hide in the tree:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend005.jpg

Dottie hide by the dwarfs:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend006.jpg

Summy hide by the Yogi man:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend007.jpg

Roberto hide in the lamp:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend008.jpg

I hide behind the african box:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend009.jpg

It was so much fun!

Hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 7, 2008, 1:50 pm
Hello!

Today is such bad weather. It rains the whole time.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend011.jpg

That's why we decided to watch 'Friends' on the TV. It's hilarious!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend012.jpg

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 11, 2008, 1:59 pm
Hello!

Today we said goodbye to Roberto.
He's now for almost 2 months here so it's time to go home.
Hopefully i meet hem again because he became a very good friend!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spin002.jpg

I wish you a very good travel Roberto!

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 11, 2008, 2:11 pm
Hello!

Today we helped Eva clean the house.
Normally i don't like it, but now it's much more fun because we had the music very loud and sing all together.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spin001.jpg

After that the others showed me a dreamhouse in the garden.
It's a fantastic house! Look and see it for yourself:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spin003.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spin004.jpg

Suddenly Eva begin to scream so loud while she was taking pictures of me on the house that i think the actors in the movie 'Scream' can learn something from that.
We try to calm here down and after the few minutes the only she can say was 'spider'.

Suddenly we saw him too, and boy that spider was a big one!
Eva said she never saw such a big spider before.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spin.jpg

Is he big or what?

Big hugs Clem

p.s. Eva closed the doors and windows now, it's so easy to get her scared hihi
Eryah


Posted Jul 12, 2008, 2:00 pm
Hello!

Today we have a party woehoe!
A friend of Eva comes here and she bring champagne with her.
We also had some delicious food.
We are all a little bit drunk now hihi.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/bikini001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/feest001.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/feest002.jpg

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 12, 2008, 3:27 pm
Hello!

Two new TV's arrived today.

We were whaiting in front of the box for them.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/aankomst001-2.jpg

First a bigger version of Nepomuk jumped out!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/aankomst002-2.jpg

His name is Strider

He told us someone is travelling with him. It's HitchaRideDooey
He never travels alone, so maybe he's gonna travel with one of us to his next adres. In his log you can read all about it.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/aankomst003-2.jpg

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 13, 2008, 8:20 pm
Hello!

Because Eva isn't able to go outside at the moment we decided to show you information and sites about Alkmaar at another way. I hope you enjoy it!

Cheesemarket:

This cheese market is open every Friday morning between 10 and 12 from the first Friday in April until the first Friday in September. Market activities are explained in Dutch, German, English and sometimes Japanese. There are four teams (vemen) of cheese-porters (kaasdragers), who can be recognised by their differently coloured straw hats: red, blue, green and yellow. Two porters bring cheese on stretchers to the weighing house (Waag) - a typical stretcher "weighs in" at about 160 kilograms. Merchants sample the cheeses and decide on a price using a barter system called handjeklap, literally clapping hands.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt027.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt018.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt026.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt028.jpg

Ruin church in Bergen:
This picturesque ruin church in Bergen once was the biggest church in Noord-Holland. From the 16th century church there is only a ruin left now, because the Beggars started a fire here. Only the choir of the church was rebuilt, so from the original church you can now only see the ruins.
In the village Bergen in Noord-Holland there are many beautiful old houses situated around the old village church.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruine004.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruine005.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen015.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen010.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen009.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen008.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen007.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen006.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/ruinekerkbergen002.jpg

Big church
During building the largest medieval church in Alkmaar, the church was already called the big church, because of its size. The big church is not only the largest and highest church in Alkmaar, but also the church which trough the centuries, stood most and called the jewel of the city. Originally the church was dedicated to Saint Laurens. That’s why, for centuries, the church is called The Saint Laurenschurch.

The church was probably designed by architect Anthonius Keldermans (Belgium) (1440-1512)

Beside Anthonius Keldermans brother, also his son was involved in the disign of the church, in which 26 freestanding columns support the roof. The Saint Laurens church is a basilica,

The outside walls rest on a fundation which is just below the ground. Built in the Brabant’s gothic style, which is bigger and more massive in its form than the French gothic. The building is 35 meters high and has a cross length of 85x56 meters. The outside walls rest on a one meter broad foundation which is just below thethe ground, and gradually becomes broader to a depth of tree meters. The last resauration of in-and exterieur was accomplished in 1996.

The large saint Laurens church counts two, world famous organs: Van Covelens organ (also called choir organ) and it VanHagerbeer/Schnitger or large organ. The choir organ descends from 1511 and has been placed against the northern wall of the church. The last restoration of this old, still playable, organ in the Netherlands, was completed in the year 2000. In 1636 arose the idea for the construction of a large organ in the church. Several organ builders have worked on it, but in 1645 Jacobus Caltus van Hagerbeer completed the large organ. Jacob Van Campen devised the organ cupboard and in 1643  Caesar Van Everdingen got the task to paint the doors of the organ cupboard with the ‘triomfe van den Coninck Saul’. This painting belongs to his first large work. Above the organ the painter Romeyn de Hooghe painted in baroque striking, (‘de deugd, die de ondeugd verplettert’)" virtue crushing the vice". From 1723 up to 1725 the large organ was restored and extended by Frans Caspar Schnitger. In course of time there have been several restorations on this organ.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken019.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken020.jpg


St. Joseph Church
This church was put in use in 1910. Designed by famous church builders and students of PJH Cuypers, the Margry brothers. The church is built in neo-gothic style, which shows by the way the towers are placed and by the arched roofs.

The church is placed beautifully and is in possession of wonderful stained glass windows. The statue of Christ has been placed in 1948, in memory of Alkmaar war-victims. Their names are placed on a memorial plaque on the churches wall.
http://www.alkmaar.nl/monument/monument/foto/Dscn9758.jpg

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 14, 2008, 6:26 pm
Hello!

Today we asked Eva to tell us everything she know about Alkmaar and the Netherlands. She told us some funny stories!

Alkmaar is above all Holland's cheese town. During the season from the first Friday of April to the first Friday of September a traditional cheese market is being held here on Friday mornings between 10 and 12.30. The cheeses are sold by dealers on a clap of hands. Thereupon the 400 year old cheese porters' guild goes into action, carrying the cheese off on barrows after the lot has been weighed at the Waag (the official scales). In the Waaggebouw - in which the scales are housed - a cheese museum that tells everything about dairy farming has been established.
Cheese has been weighed in Alkmaar since 1635.

Alkmaar is historical with around 400 monuments. The Waag, dating back in its earliest form to the 14th century, the 16th century town-hall, Grote St. Laurens Church and the many courtyards, facades and canals give the town an ambience all of its own. With the past as a setting, the town has a modern stock of shops offering a wide choice. Besides the predominantly small shops in the old centre, the Noorder Arcade with large scale shopping facilities stands by the side of the Noord Holland Canal.

Alkmaar is the biggest town in the region. Relaxation can also be found in the Geestmerambacht recreational area close by.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/nl001.jpg


The Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland]) is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba in the Caribbean. The Netherlands is a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy, located in Western Europe. It is bordered by the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east.

The Netherlands is often called Holland. This is formally incorrect as North and South Holland in the western Netherlands are only two of the country's twelve provinces. As a matter of fact, many Dutch people colloquially use Holland as a synecdoche, being well aware of the widespread use of this name. For more on this and other naming issues see terminology of the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is a geographically low-lying and densely populated country. It is popularly known for its traditional windmills, tulips, cheese, clogs (wooden shoes), delftware and gouda pottery, for its bicycles, its dikes and surge barriers, and, on the other hand, traditional values and civil virtues such as its classic social tolerance. But primarily, the Netherlands is a modern, advanced and open society. An old parliamentary democracy, the country is more recently known for its rather liberal policies toward recreational drugs, prostitution, homosexuality, abortion, and euthanasia. The Netherlands is also one of the most densely cabled countries in the world; its internet connection rate is 87.8%, the 2nd highest in the world.

The Netherlands has an international outlook; among other affiliations the country is a founding member of the European Union (EU), NATO, the OECD, and has signed the Kyoto protocol. Along with Belgium and Luxembourg, the Netherlands is one of three member nations of the Benelux economic union. The country is host to five international(ised) courts: the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Court and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. All of these courts (except the Special Tribunal for Lebanon), as well as the EU's criminal intelligence agency (Europol), are situated in The Hague, which has led to the city being referred to as "the world's legal capital."

A remarkable aspect of the Netherlands is its flatness. Hilly landscapes can be found only in the south-eastern tip of the country on the foothills of the Ardennes, the central part and where the glaciers pushed up several hilly ridges such as the Hondsrug in Drenthe, the stuwwallen (push moraines) near Arnhem and Nijmegen, Salland, Twente and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.



Religion
Main article: Religion in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the more secular countries in the Western Europe, with only 39% being religiously affiliated (31% for those aged under 35), although 62% are believers (but 40% of those not in the traditional sense). Fewer than 20% visit church regularly .

According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005, 34% of Dutch citizens responded that "they believe there is a god", whereas 37% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 27% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force".

In 1950, before the secularisation of Europe, and the large settlement of non-Europeans in the Netherlands, most Dutch citizens identified themselves as Christians. In 1950, out of a total population of almost 13 million, a total of 7,261,000 belonged to Protestant denominations, 3,703,000 belonged to the Roman Catholic Church, and 1,641,000 had no acknowledged religion.

However, Christian schools are still funded by the government, but the same applies for schools founded on other religions, nowadays Islam in particular. While all schools must meet strict quality criteria, from 1917 the freedom of schools is a basic principle in The Netherlands.

Three political parties in the Dutch parliament (CDA, ChristianUnion and SGP) base their policy on the Christian belief system.


Culture
Erasmus (1466–1536).The Netherlands has had many well-known painters. The 17th century, when the Dutch republic was prosperous, was the age of the "Dutch Masters", such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen, Jacob van Ruysdael and many others. Famous Dutch painters of the 19th and 20th century were Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondriaan. M. C. Escher is a well-known graphics artist. Willem de Kooning was born and trained in Rotterdam, although he is considered to have reached acclaim as an American artist. Han van Meegeren was an infamous Dutch art forger.

The Netherlands is the country of philosophers Erasmus of Rotterdam and Spinoza. All of Descartes' major work was done in the Netherlands. The Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens (1629–1695) discovered Saturn's moon Titan and invented the pendulum clock. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe and describe single-celled organisms with a microscope.

In the Dutch Golden Age, literature flourished as well, with Joost van den Vondel and P.C. Hooft as the two most famous writers. In the 19th century, Multatuli wrote about the bad treatment of the natives in Dutch colonies. Important 20th century authors include Harry Mulisch, Jan Wolkers, Simon Vestdijk, Cees Nooteboom, Gerard (van het) Reve and Willem Frederik Hermans. Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl was published after she died in The Holocaust and translated from Dutch to all major languages.

Replicas of Dutch buildings can be found in Huis ten Bosch, Nagasaki, Japan. A similar Holland Village is being built in Shenyang, China.

Windmills, tulips, wooden shoes, cheese and Delftware pottery are among the items associated with the Netherlands.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/nl002.jpg

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 14, 2008, 6:33 pm
Hello!

I ride on a bike today! It was scary! But i also love to do it! Fortunate for me the bike has wheels on the frame. So i kept well in balance.
Look at me mum!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/nl004.jpg


When i'm home a want a bike for myself. You feel the wind and you can go fast if you want. I notice that in Holland they do not wear helmets for their safety. Everybody here rides on a bike and the people learn it to there children almost before they can walk. I looked my eyes out.

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 14, 2008, 9:45 pm
Hello!

Tonight we said goodbye to Dottie, Nepomuk and Summy. They all leave tomorrow to go to a new adventure.

I hope we will meet each other again. They become good friends.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheid003-2.jpg

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 17, 2008, 5:10 pm
Hello!

Today we baked 'cakejes' with Eva and her son Mirdin.

First we make the 'deeg'
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes001.jpg

After that we put the 'deeg' in the cups
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes002.jpg

While the cakejes were in the oven Mirdin make the top of the cakes. It looks kinda freaky.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes003.jpg

After the cakejes were ready we put the top on it
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes004.jpg


Tadaaaaaaaaa!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes005.jpg

To finisch it we put animals from a farm on it. It was so great to do! And to be honest: they were delicious :D

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 21, 2008, 5:22 pm
Hello!

Today it was such a rainy day. We decided to play a game and Eva showed us a game and now i'm addicted to it.
You can play it on the computer and it's called Diamond mind.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/regen001.jpg

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 21, 2008, 5:38 pm
Hello!

Today we eat a typical dutch snack called 'kroketten'. It taste delicious! We also eat smilies. Look what a happy faces they got.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/regen002.jpg

Because we learned a new dutch word we askes Eva to tell us more. Here's a list of the words i learn:

stuffed animal = knuffel
hug = knuffel
kiss= zoen
i love you = ik hou van jou
thanks = bedankt
you're welcome = graag gedaan
the Netherlands = Nederland
bye = doeg or doei
hello = hallo

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 25, 2008, 3:15 pm
Hello!

A new TV arrived today. The TV came in a very big envelope.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Mulalu003.jpg

We were all wondering what kind of animal was in it.
It was an....
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Mulalu004.jpg


Elephant!
His name is Mulalu

We sit together to talk about our goals and to get to know eachother. He's very friendly so i think we gonna be great friends.

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 30, 2008, 9:58 am
Hello!

It's such strange weather here in the Netherlands. It's very hot and we have a lot of rain and thunderstorms.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes008.jpg

That's why we wanna play a game.

First we played 'Huisje, boompje, beestje' what means: House, tree, animal. It's an expression in the Netherlands.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes004.jpg

After that we made a puzzle. We had no idea what's it gonna be, so we helped each other to make it.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes001-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes002-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes003.jpg

Look what a wonderfull picture!

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 30, 2008, 10:10 am
Hello!

Today a new tv arrived.
This time it was a tiny envelope and of course we were all curious who can be in that.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes001.jpg


Suddenly we heard the TV screaming:
'I'm home! Suprise!'
We didn't understand a thing of it till he came out and Eva start crying. It is one of her one tv's who came home.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes002.jpg

Meet Pip.
Here in Holland Pip is very famous. Everybody here knowes Woezel and Pip. He told us his story.

"We are caracters from a story for children here in Holland.
The woman who brings us to life is Guusje Nederhorst. For many years Guusje played in a soap called "Goede tijden slechte tijden'' (good times bad times).
In 2002 she discovered her real passion: writing stories for children. That was the beginning of Woezel and Pip. Two inseparable dogs who experience funny and sometimes naughty adventures.
The little novels are a big hit here in Holland.
Unfortunally Guusje never had the change to see how many children enjoy the adventures of Woezel and Pip. She got breast cancer and died in 2004. Her husband set up the Guusje Nederhorst foundation as a memory for her creative, headstrong and brave personality."

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 30, 2008, 4:44 pm
Hello!

Another TV arrived today. Great to see so much others here and get to know them.
This time it was a small envelope again and Eva told us that this time she was expecting someone. She told us we get to see a new bear here.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/rootsaankomst001.jpg

It's Roots Bear!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/rootsaankomst002.jpg

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Jul 31, 2008, 4:11 pm
Hello!

Feeling hot, hot, hot!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/hothothot002.jpg

In reality it's 30 degrees here but as you can see it feels like 40 degrees. And you can't find any refreshment here.
That's why we decided to get a tan...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/hothothot001.jpg

Big hugs from a hot Clem
Eryah


Posted Aug 1, 2008, 6:14 pm
Happy birthday to HitchaRideDooey!

Today we celebrate his birthday.
First we sing a birthday song in dutch for him.
It goes like this:

Er is er een jarig, hoera hoera
dat kun je wel zien, dat is hij
dat vinden wij allen zo prettig jaja
en daarom zingen wij blij
hij leve lang, hoera hoera
hij leve lang, hoera hoera
hij leve lang, hoera hoera
hieperdepiep, hoeraaaaaa


First we gave him his present
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey001.jpg

We wrapped it up in orange paper, because the national color of the Netherlands is orange.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey002.jpg

It was a t-shirt with toyvoyager on it! He loved it.

After that it was time to eat some snacks. We really want chips.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey003.jpg

It was time to play a game! As you can see on the picture above this text we invited two other animals.
We were in a naughty mood and decided to play a kiss game. We were sitting in a cirkle and when te pen point at you,you have to kiss the one that was turning the pen. We had so much fun!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey004.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey005.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey006.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey007.jpg

Now we are gonna dance all night long, woepie!

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Aug 3, 2008, 6:01 pm
Hello!

Today we went to 'Het Geestmerambacht'.
The recreation area Geestmerambacht, which lies at north of Alkmaar, offers all kinds of possibilities for recreation in natural surroundings.
There's a nature area and a big lake and many many more, but we want to see the lake.


This is me in front of the lake:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht003-1.jpg

There are also a lot of birds here:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht001-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht008-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht010-1.jpg

Some pictures of the lake:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht009-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht013.jpg

we found a thing in the water and Eva let us sit on it:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht011-1.jpg

The vieuw when you look at the other side:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht012.jpg

On our way back we saw the neighbourhood Eva lives in behind the field with vegetables:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht014.jpg

And this is the neighbourhood Eva lives in:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht016.jpg

Big hugs Clem
Eryah


Posted Aug 4, 2008, 3:45 pm
Hello!

Today it was my last day here in Alkmaar, the Netherlands.
When you read this i'm in my envelope on my way to Lejow.
Eva told me Leonie is one of her best friends and a very sweet girl so i don't have to worry about her.

It always hard to say goodbye but today it was my turn.
I gave everybody a long last hug with my arms. They love it!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles001.jpg
Bye Mulalu!


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles002.jpg
Bye Strider!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles003.jpg
Bye Roots!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles004.jpg
Bye Dooey!

I'm gonna miss them all, but i'm also very excited about the rest of my journey.

Poeldijk, here i come!

Big hugs Clem

Back