Santje: Fairs, sales, fish and dutch clothing

The recession is a world wide thing, so in New Zealand we experience(d) our fair share of this.

However, here in Holland, it seems like things are 'worse'. The word 'recession' comes up in most conversations, it can take a long time to sell your house, and you don't want to lose your job, as there is chance you will not find another one. Conversion rate wise, this is a good time for us to be Holland, 1 euro is only $1.5. When we left 9 years ago, it was $2.20.

Monday 20-08

With this in mind, my mum and I went to Lappen dag (cloth day.....) in Hoorn (also in Noord-Holland). It is like a festival day. Market stalls everywhere, live music on the town square, and it coincided with the start of the kermis, a village fair. Indeed, we went shopping, and walked through the old town centre. My mum had her own hairdressing salon there (a long time ago).

Lappen dag in Hoorn

Old houses in Hoorn

It is lovely to walk around all these old houses. We went to our old butcher, but unfortunately, he was closed due to the festivities. So we decided to walk around on the fair. It was a hot monday! And so many people! At the fair, we went in to the 'Around the world' - attraction. Very high, spinning around, a good few from the town. It was a lot of fun!

The fair

Good view from Hoorn

Quite different than the ones that my mum sold in Nelson.

Sweets anyone?

Carts to bump each other

Parking place for your bike, yes, you did have to buy a ticket.

Living in a woon boot (living boat)

Jummie!

Tuesday 21-08

Another town we visited regularly whilst living here, was Volendam. It is a town located next to the Markermeer, that 'big lake' in the middle of Holland.

This is one of the places where you can get a photograph in traditional clothing that the people wore in this region. I had never done this before, so it was a definite must! The people in Volendam have a good accent! And they very easily switch it on and off, for example, when a lady was helping us in the pharmacy, she spoke normal Dutch, but as soon as she had to ring a friend, a thick Volendam's accent came on. So funny! And some words, I really did not understand!

We walked the Dijk, bought some gift, and got the picture taken. At the same place, they also had fish baths, I had seen them before in Kuala Lumpur, and its a lot of fun. So after the hilarious photo, I convinced my mum that we should feet the fish with our feet for 10 minutes. Seeing my mum's expressions was priceless! (see picture below)

We walked through the old town, took too many pictures, and after walking round and round, we decided to head back to the cute little house we are renting in Edam.