Brazil through Dutch Eyes

Ever wondered why some Dutch people would live in Brazil ?
How would they adapt ?
Read about it here and here.

Interview # 11: Simone Westerduin

Bilingual post English / Portuguese

- Who are you ?
Simone since 1983, Westerduin since 2010. I was born in the charming São João del Rei, MG, but adopted by monstercity Sampa. I consider myself to be a sensitive and hyperactive person, with an obsession to do multiple things at the same time. I am a designer by profession. I love drawing, visiting museums, all forms of art, colours, beer, B movies and dogs ! I wound't be able to explain myself without mentioning my passion for dogs, I love all the dogs in the world (you are going to se some references to dogs in this interview). I am not into politics, I buy many books, I love cleaning my home. I have an awkward musical taste and I dance ska like nobody else. I am a disaster in the kitchen.
- Quem é você ?
Simone desde 1983, Westerduin desde 2010. Nascida na charmosa São João del Rei, MG, mas adotada pela monstruosa Sampa city, casei e atualmente moro em Den Haag. Sensivél e hiperativa, tenho uma certa obsessão em fazer várias coisas ao mesmo tempo. Sou designer por formação, desde que me entendo por gente gosto de desenhar, adoro museus, arte, cores, formas, cerveja, filmes B e cachorros! Não conseguiria explicar quem sou eu sem citar a minha paixão por cachorros, amo todos os cachorros do mundo (vocês vão ler muito sobre isso nessa entrevista) Sou apolitica, compro muitos livros, faço parte da seita da faxina, tenho um gosto musical incompreensivél, faço aula de power jump todos os dias, danço ska como ninguém e sou péssima na cozinha, não necessáriamente nessa mesma ordem.

She loves cleaning up !

- Why did you come to Holland ?
Let's say that during those moments in my life when I had no plans, then life had a plan for me. I landed in Copenhagen in January 2009 where I stayed for 5 months working as an au pair. I didn't like it, therefore I contacted the interchange program administrataors and asked for a new family - and the opportunity appeared in Hoofddorp, the NL where I arrived in June 2009. I thought Holland would be a good country to spend some months. I met my soul mate here, we started dating and we decided to get married in Brazil last year. I arrived in Holland in February 2011 in order to build my life together with my schatje (sweetheart).

- Por que veio para a Holanda ?
Eu costumo dizer que em um dos únicos momentos na minha vida em que eu não tinha nenhum plano, a vida tinha um plano pra mim. Aterrisei em Copenhagen, Dinamarca em janeiro de 2009. Fiquei por 5 meses trabalhando como au pair, não me adaptei, arrumei uma nova família para também trabalhar como au pair em Hoofdorp, Holanda e em junho de 2009 cheguei por aqui de mala e cuia. Sempre imaginei que seria um país legal pra passar algum tempo. Foi assim que mudei a rota do meu intercâmbio e os planos de voltar ao Brasil, terminar o meu master, ligar pra antiga chefe e pedir o emprego de volta foram ficando para trás.  Conheci minha alma gêmea assim que cheguei por aqui, namorei, me casei no Brasil ano passado. Voltei a Holanda em fevereiro desse ano e dessa vez pra construir a minha vida ao lado do meu schatje e ficar por tempo indeterminado.

- Was it difficult to get adapted to a Dutch life ?
After 5 months hating Danemark, it was pretty easy to get adapted to Holland. Seriously: the country has caused me a good impression, for several reasons. I am pretty lucky for living in a different culture, for working without a boss, for my studies which allow me to work here more or less as I would do it in my country, lucky for waking up everyday e admiring the beautiful views from my kitchen window. Living in a country so different from mine makes me learn new small/big things everyday. How you will adapt depends on your expectations and how much open you are. I believe what makes me love Holland so much is that I came here during the right moment in my life.

- Foi difícil se adaptar a Holanda ?
Depois dos 5 meses morando e odiando a Dinamarca, me adaptar a Holanda foi fichinha. Brincadeiras a parte, a Holanda me causou um boa impressão desde que cheguei por aqui por diversas razões. Me sinto muito sortuda por ter a oportunidade de conhecer e viver em uma cultura diferente, por trabalhar sem patrão, por ter estudado algo que posso usar aqui quase da mesma forma que usaria no meu país, por acordar todos os dias e olhar a vista linda da janela da minha cozinha, É fato que viver em um país tão diferente do seu te faz aprender novas pequenas/grandes coisas todos os dias, parte da adaptação depende das suas expectativas e do quão aberto á novas experiências você está. Eu acredito que o que me faz gostar tanto da Holanda é que estava no momento certo da minha vida.

-Your cultural shocks ?
I am no big fan of the Dutch sincerity, I believe many times they do not even know where the sincerity ends and the rudeness begins.
I am shocked with the enormous ammount of deep fried stuff: fritjes here, kroketjes there...
The health system... no comments, ok ?

- Seus choques culturais ... ?
Não sou muito fã da sinceridade holandesa, acredito que muitas vezes eles não sabem onde termina a sinceridade e onde começa-se a ser rude. Fico chocada com essa quantidade enorme de fritura que o povo por aqui come e ainda é fritjes pra cá, kroketje pra lá... o sistema de saúde nem preciso nem comentar né?

Mrs. and Mr. Westerduin.

- And the Dutch language ?

Look, it could have improved much more by now. But when I arrived here I decied to follow some courses to get my English improved - I do not regret this decision, mastering English helps me a lot in my daily life. During the 7 months that I was waiting for the visa process in Brazil I did some self studies in Dutch. I can understand small daily conversations, I know how to build simple sentences - but I cannot say I communicate in Dutch. Starting in June this year I will formaly begin my studies in the language, I cannot wait it. At the moment, with my self studies I learn something new everyday and I read the books that my 2 year old nephew lends me.

- E a língua holandesa, como anda ?

Olha, poderia ter andando mais, mas quando cheguei por aqui foquei em melhorar meu inglês, investi em alguns cursos e não me arrependo, falar inglês bem me ajuda e muito no meu dia a dia. Nos 7 meses em que esperei pelo processo de visto no Brasil estudei holandes por conta própria para prestar o basisexamen inburering, consigo entender bastante das conversas no dia a dia, sei formar frases simples, mas não posso dizer que me comunico em holandes. A partir de junho começo a estudar, mal posso esperar pra transformar o português e o holandes como as únicas linguas faladas na minha casa. No momento voltei ao self study, aprendo algo novo todos os dias e leio os livros que meu sobrinho de 2 anos me empresta.

What do you do in your free time ?

I love cleaning my home (this is true !). I love drawing. I am developing my portfolio, I have 101 projects and ideas. I love travellig, discovering new places in The Hague, observing people's routine, I exchange recipes with my mother over the phone and I hug other peoples'dogs at supermarkets entrances... I never feel myself really bored.

- E o que você faz no seu tempo livre ?

Eu gosto de limpar a minha casa (é a mais pura verdade) Sou Amélia mulher de verdade.rs Adoro desenhar. Ultimamente me dedico muito ao desenvolvimento do meu porfólio, pretendo começar a trabalhar pra valer assim que possivél como freelancer, tenho 1001 projetos e idéias que são meu playground favorito no momento. Além disso gosto de viajar, descobrir lugares novos na minha cidade, observar o dia a dia dos holandeses, trocar receitas com a minha mãe por telefone, abraçar cachorros alheios na porta dos supermercados, enfim eu nunca me sinto "bored".

- Do you wish to live here forever ?

No ! I would like to live again in Brazil, São Paulo is and always will be my place in the world, especially when I think about my work perspectives. I have a certain experience working in big companies there, I have a network in Brazil and here in Holland I feel myself a bit lost in that aspect. I also would like to live for a while in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I love that city. Unfortunately this is not possible now, but surely one day it will be.

- Você quer morar aqui para sempre ?

Não! Eu gostaria de morar no Brasil, São Paulo é e sempre será a minha casa no mundo, principalmente quando eu penso sobre a perspectiva de mercado de trabalho. Tenho uma certa experiência trabalhando em grandes empresas por lá, rola um networking, e aqui eu me sinto um pouco perdida quanto a isso. Gostaria de morar um tempo em Buenos Aires também, amo a cidade. Infelizmente não é viavél agora voltar ao Brasil, um dia com certeza será.

- What do you miss from home (Brazil) ?

Oooooh, this is so easy to answer ! I miss my parents and my dog (I have pain in my heart only talking about that). I miss real sunny days, the noise on the streets, the bars I used to go to, my best friends, the smells from Brazil and the life the Brazilian cities have.

- O que mais sente falta de casa (Brasil)?

Ahhhhhhh isso é tão fácil de responder ! Sinto falta dos meus pais e do meu filho de quatro patas (dá até um aperto no meu coração só de lembrar). Sinto falta dos dias com sol de verdade, do barulho nas ruas, dos butecos que frequentava, dos melhores amigos, sinto falta do cheirinho de Brasil e da "vida" que as cidades brasileiras tem.

The best side of Holland is...

Bikes. I love the fact I can do everything with a bike. The country is clean, organized, and culturally speaking it is just incredible. For vegetarians like me, this is paradise: I can find everything I wish for and more. I like the Dutch people as well, they are polite. Recycling does works, public transport idem. I love living in a small country, with beautiful landscapes and wonderful festivals. I also admire the respect that most people have towards animals.

- O lado melhor da Holanda, qual é ?

Bicicletas pra que te quero. Adoro poder fazer tudo pedalando. Acho a Holanda um país limpo, organizado, culturalmente falando é incrivél. Para os vegetarianos como eu a Holanda é o paraiso, consigo encontrar tudo e mais um pouco. Gosto das pessoas também, sem generalizar, os holandeses são pessoas educadas. Reciclagem funciona, transporte idem. Adoro morar em um país pequeno, com paisagens tão lindas e com festivais maravilhosos. Também admiro o respeito que a maioria das pessoas por aqui tem com os animais.

- The worst side ?

If somebody doesn't mention the weather, windy/cold - do not believe on this person. There is a lot of bureaucracy for everything. Food is expensive and I have ad difficulties using and understanding the health system.

- O pior lado da Holanda?

Se alguém não citar o clima vento/frio não acredite no que essa pessoa esta falando. Muita burocracia pra tudo, alimentação é bem caro e a dificuldade de se usar o sistema de saúde.

- And your personal frustration?

At the moment, I cannot think about something else than the fact I cannot have a pet. The building where we are living in doesnt allow them. For the rest I am with my heart and mind open to go further with my life, accepting the challenges with a positive attitude. Living abroad was bad when I was an au pair in the Danemark - living with'a family which you have no affinity with is indeed complicated. Spending the whole day at home, taking care of a child - I found that very frustrating. And because my visa didn't allow me having other types of work 'then I consider 2009 a lost year.

- Qual a sua maior frustração na Holanda ?

No momento, não consigo pensar em outra coisa que não seja não poder ter animal de estimação.O prédio onde eu moro não permite e isso é muito frustante, além disso não tenho nenhuma outra frustação. Estou com o coração e a mente aberta pra tocar a minha vida por aqui, aceito os desafios do dia a dia de forma poistiva. Já foi pior quando fui au pair, viver com uma família com quem você não tem nenhuma afinidade e intimidade é super complicado, fazer algo que você não gosta (no caso cuidar de crianças e passar o dia em casa), é super frustante, como o meu visto não me permitia fazer outros tipos de trabalho foi um ano que eu posso chamar de certa forma frustante.

- Faria algo diferente se pudesse voltar no tempo ?

Algumas vezes penso que não teria vindo como au pair, viria como turista ou escolheria ter feito um curso de inglês na Irlanda por exemplo, isso teria me poupado várias experiências ruins, porém, acredito que esse era o meu destino, se fosse de outra forma eu não teria encontrado a pessoa que deu um novo ruma minha vida assim que cheguei por aqui, não teria dividido com ele os problemas e as alegrias que foi chegar a Holanda. Resumindo, com Clarisse Lispector

"Em matéria de viver, nunca se pode chegar antes. A insistência é o nosso esforço, a desistência é o prêmio."

- Sentiu discriminacao ?

Acreditem ou não, nunca senti! já ouvi todo tipo de estória, principalmente com a insatisfação que a crise na Europa gerou entre os holandeses, passei alheia a tudo isso e espero não ter nenhum "causo" para contar na minha estádia por aqui.

'

- Do you already call Holland "home" ?

I am getting used to it. I think I will always have two places to call "'home": my parents in Brazil and my place in The Hague with my husband. Sometimes I say to my husband things like: "In December, we are going home". And he replies: "You are going to your parents' home, your own home is in Holland". I get embarrassed and affirm without much conviction: "That's true...". I walk on the streets in The Hague and the sensation is that I live here much longer than in fact I do. I start a small talk with the local salespeople, I try to follow what happens in the politics and Dutch society, I attend a Dutch church and I am on a wait list to be approved as a volunteer at a local shelter for animals. I think everything will be more familiar to me when I can communicate with everyone in Dutch. I have "my" Dutch family whom I am thankful for accepting me since the first day as a family member. They are my safe harbour when I feel lost and do not understand what is going around - this has been important in my personnal process of facing Holland as my new country.

- Ja chama a Holanda de "casa" tambem ?

Estou me acostumando a considerar a Holanda minha casa, acho que sempre terei duas casas: a casa dos meus pais no Brasil e a casa em que moro com o meu marido. Levo uns puxões de orelha do meu marido quando digo: "Em dezembro, vamos para casa". "Você vai para casa dos seus pais Simone, você mora na Holanda", ele diz. "Ah, é verdade...", dou um sorrisinho meio torto me desculpando pelo esquecimento. Ando pelas ruas de Den Haag, como se andasse por aqui a muito mais tempo do que me lembro, puxo conversa com o pessoal do comércio local, procuro saber o que acontece no país, política, sociedade, frequento uma igreja holandesa, estou no aguardo da aprovação para me tornar voluntária no abrigo de animais e acho que tudo se tornará mais familiar quando eu conseguir me comunicar no idioma local. Tenho minha família holandesa e sou apaixonada e grata por terem me recebido e me aceitado desde o começo como uma filha, eles são meu porto seguro quando me sinto perdida ou não entendo o que está acontecendo ao meu redor, isso tem sido importante no processo de encarar a Holanda como a minha nova casa.

Tips for people moving to Holland ?

-Read about the country and learn ome basic words;

- Do not fall into the cliches of drugs/sex or you end up very disappointed;

- Holland is full of parks, canals, woods... Learn to enter in contact with the nature, do sports, visit museums (they are awesome) and do not miss the summer festivals;

- Try Surinamese and Indonesian food - unknown to Brazilians but very popular here.

- Do not bring arrogance or pride in your luggage. Most people who arrive here with these type of attitudes generally become very unhappy.

Dicas pra quem esta planejando mudar-se para a Holanda ?

- Leia sobre o país e aprenda algumas palavras básicas;

- Não se deixe cair nos clichês: drogas/sexo ou você vai acabar se decepcionando;

- A Holanda é cheia de parques, canais, bosques, aprenda a entrar em contato com a natureza, ratique esportes, visite os museus que são maravilhosos e não perca os festivais de verão;

- Não deixe de experimentar a culinária do Suriname e Indonésia que é desconhecida para a maioria de nós brasileiros e super popular e acessivél por aqui;

- Visite o balcão do expat se você mora em Den Haag, as pessoas que trabalham por lá são super simpáticas e podem te ajudar em vários aspectos;

- Não traga junto com a sua bagagem arrogância ou orgulho, a maioria das pessoas que chegam com esse tipo de sentimento tendem a ser bem infelizes.

www.madonnastolemystyleagain.blogspot.com

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A Touch of Dutch: My Mini-Interview

Woohoo ! I am at this moment being featured on Isabella's A Touch of Dutch blog. It has become one of the "classic" and must read blogs about the Netherlands. I love mini-interviews because they are easy to make, easy to answer and not so serious. Plus: the reader can get within a couple of minutes a different perception of the interviewed. Go there now accessing it here.
Thanks Isabella, obrigada !

Interview # 9: Lopa Mehta

Today a sweet blogger and multi talented young woman who came from a country that fascinates and intrigues us all: India. I have talked to Lopa Mehta in the virtual world and here is what she has to share with us:

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your blogs.

I am a Project Controller in the oil, gas & petrochemical sector of a company in the Rotterdam area. And I am in Netherlands since June 2008, so it will be 2 years now.

Blogging is a way to share my passion towards life to all the people around. When moved here in 2008, after initial excitement started missing family and friends who were no more at "a stone thrown away"distance. That resulted in a search for a medium to vent it out and blogging came out as a perfect one.
I have three blogs right now. One is my personal blog in which I write about day to day events whatever struck me, some thing I experience or something I come across and sometimes just sharing the thought process. Another is my painting blog where I share my passion for painting. I am trying to consolidate all the work I have done until my school days and continue sharing. Third one is on cooking. It is not impossible but still a bit difficult to be vegetarian in Europe which I had never realised can be the case until we moved here. I keep looking for different things to try my hands at and during one of those moments it struck me "why not to document it in a proper way?" Then it will be useful to myself in future when I want to re-try something I had tried for the first time with trial and error and loved it...hehehe

In India we have a tradition on putting henna before wedding...there is a pic of my henna design before my own wedding.

And why the NL ? Love or work ?

Let’s say: both, hahaha ! Actually, because of my husband’s work. He had been traveling to Netherlands on and off for various projects. Too much travelling didn't allow us to spend as much time together as much we would like. After our marriage in 2008, we decided to accept the offer to move here in stead of continuous traveling so that we can enjoy the new phase of our life with more time with each other. So that's love and work that we are here.

Above: Lopa and Ashu during their wedding day.

Below: after marriage reception.

Indian weddings are very bright events, which lasts traditionally for 5 days but nowadays it can be more or less depending on how one wants it. Celebrations last for days.... music, dance, good food... you are bound to put on considerable weight in wedding season and which is normal in India.
Our wedding ceremonies are traditionally conducted in Sanskrit, the language in which most holy Hindu ceremonies are conducted, but now a days it is mixed with local language for better understanding for people involved. (We learn the language in school, but it is not practiced in routine life and so most of us don't understand it all, like my Dutch ! )
There are so many rituals that if write about all it will take a long post (may be several posts) and also rituals vary with different states of India. For different rituals from the part of India I am from: here !

We compacted pre-wedding ceremonies in one day in stead of 3 days and had a after-marriage party for all the friends and a marriage reception for all the relatives by my parents. (For which they distributed 1500 invitation cards, and we were standing greeting everyone for more than 3-4 hours, so tiring...hehe) So in the end it tuned out 4 days affair even after all the compactness !
(Some more links on Indian weddings? Click here and here and here.)

What surprised you most when you arrived In Holland?

There isn't anything particular which strikes me as a surprise, considering my love for reading and also global excess through media. But... yes, the first thing that struck me after moving here was that it is so beautiful ! I loved the way we can experience the four seasons here, in India we never noticed spring or autumn the way it paints everything here. When we used to walk in the evening we would see those wonderful colors, flowers and houses at canals and people sitting beside it in their yards enjoying sun, we used to think we would like to have a house like that one day and it was a dream come true when we got one !

Have you lived out of India before moving to the NL ? Have you had a cultural shock in the NL ?
No, I haven't lived out of India before moving to the NL. But if you consider India, every state has a different culture and different language. So idea of totally different culture and unknown language wasn't that frightening. I didn't have a cultural shock in that regard but yes I had to make some adjustments in new surrounding. One is weather, never faced such short and even long days ! Then Language, it's one of those difficult languages which one might start understanding over the time but still takes lots of practice to speak and pronounce correctly, something I am still struggling with.

How do you cook here ? Can you find all of your favorite ingredients ?

To be honest there isn't much comparison here, as I hardly cooked back home. It was only after moving here I started realizing passion for cooking which I hold. So my cooking is more like a fusion cooking with whatever available. But, yes - at times we get craving for that typical food we used to eat back home and which is not possible here to get even in Indian restaurant ( which I will say not very much Indian. In a way, it is a bit of customised taste to suit European tastebuds), in that case we get almost all the ingredients from Indian stores. But still sometimes it's impossible to ignore the bit of difference which spices bring... like same spices if we buy here and we buy back home, they are different. There are so many spices those are used in Indian cuisine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_spices ) and I was delighted that we could find almost everything here but still i prefer some spices which I feel noticeable difference in taste from back home, sometimes mom parcels them and always when we go India, we bring with us.

Above: a vegetarian main course... that's probably what you will eat if you come to my place for a party ... some Indian food.

What do you like most about your "Dutch life" ?

What I love most of this "Dutch life" is balance ! Balance between professional and personal life. The way everyone understands the fact that "You work to live and don't live to work". It is expected that family will always be first priority for everyone. Also the fact I have more time for my hobbies and I am able to pursue so many things I have always wanted. The Dutch are very friendly people and I have found them always very helpful.

Being vegetarian I have not had much luck with the Dutch cuisine. In fact whenever we are out dining it was always a surprise to see all the international cuisines and hardly a few restaurants serving only Dutch cuisine. I like peasoup - the vegetarian version of course - applepies, different vlaais and also potato Bram (frites) if you call it part of Dutch cuisine. I will consider it as I was never a fan od fries and I normally avoided it, but once I had them here with mayo, I crave for more whenever I come across them. They are fresh and different than all the French fries available anywhere else in the world.

Above and below: pics of Navratri ( nav = nine, ratri = nights), that is an Indian festival in which people dress in traditional dresses and do traditional dance for nine nights... That's a pic of me and my brother, ready for the festival and other pic is my sis with her friends in the open grounds enjoying the festival.

What do you miss the most from your homeland ?

Family, friends, food, sun, language :)
And also culture of no appointment any time for friends... hehehe

What have you learned about yourself after living here in the NL ?

Lots of things. I understand more the uniqueness of every culture, I understand how all the different cultures can prevail side by side in harmony.
I appreciate people putting efforts in learning something new more than ever now. When I hear some funny pronunciations from a foreigner it is no more a bit funny but it strikes me more clearly now that it only means their edge over us, that they know one more language than us !
I also learned my potential to manage issues, to learn new things, to adopt new habits.

Above: Rangoli... that's designs people make in front of their house on new year... this design was made by me and my sis during my last diwali back home.

Next pics: some touristical places Lopa would like to share with us. I would like to add that all photos and links in this post were provided by Lopa herself. Thanks a lot Lopa !! And also big thanks to Ashu for pemitting me to post here their wedding photos.

Above: Khajuraho Temple. Check info here.

Above: Orchha. More here.

Above: Banaras ("Varanasi"). Probably the oldest city of India.

Above, Dwarka city: Indian God Shiva

Above: balloon flight, in Rotterdam. Woohoo, bye guys !!

Interview # 8: Suzanne Miller

I have met Suzanne in the blogland (she has a photo blog) and had this idea of having her for an interview. I 100% agree with her about "Dutch Life" - except for stroopwafels 'cause I do not have a sweet tooth !

Please introduce yourself
Suzanne Miller, born in USA, in Europe since 1999, Amsterdam since 2005. Ever since I saw Amsterdam in 2000 I wanted to live here. Finally, circumstances allowed me to make the move.

And did you have to change your profession after arriving here ?

My husband and I have started a shop in Oud West, La Naranja, where we sell fine art from various artists, and traditional craft from Las Alpujarras, a little-known string of mountain villages in Andalusia. It was not easy, as Americans, to start a shop in Amsterdam, and we've truly poured everything we have into this enterprise. We got very lucky in finding a big space on Bilderdijkstraat with a beautiful historic storefront, which I think will be the next "9 Streets" type area. The 9 Streets started as a neighborhood of funky cool little shops, but I think it has out priced itself. Now only jewelers or eateries or chains can afford to go in there. On Bilderdijkstraat there is a growing collection of vintage and second-hand shops, La Naranja is between Jutka en Riska, which is very well known for Vintage clothing, and Turquoise, which has more oddities and trinkets. Around the block is Designers for Less, which has great gently used labels. The street is slated for renovation, and I believe it will really take off after that. It's just on the edge of the Helmersbuurt, which is the hot yuppie neighborhood at the moment. The other advantage the Bilderdijk area has over the 9 Streets is accessibility. You can easily get here by tram or car, which makes a big difference to people outside the center.

What do you like most about your "Dutch life" ?

I adore Amsterdam and I am fascinated by Dutch society and culture. I'm always trying to identify what sets the Dutch apart. I perceive an intelligence here that I find exceptional, and that, accompanied by a gentle spirit and sheer beauty, makes for a very intriguing personality.

I love that it is so easy to be healthy here. I ride my bike as much as possible. I am a huge AH grocery store fan. I think that place is amazing. They make it so easy to eat well.

The Dutch are very modest about some of their culinary accomplishments. When I had my first stroopwafel koekje I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I made it my goal to find the best ones in Amsterdam, which I think are from the Van Muyden bakery chain! My next goal is to find the best appelgebak. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

What do you miss the most from your homeland ?

My friends and family. Being away from them is the most difficult part about being an expat(Anita's note: true Su, I agree with you). Aside from people, I miss the stellar American restaurant service; 7-11 convenience stores and a classic American burger!

After years living in the NL, how do you see your birth country now ? With different eyes ? When I left the USA in 1999 Bill Clinton was still in office. The Bush presidency, Iraq invasion and Obama presidency have all happened since then, and the USA is a different country than what I left. My family and friends are in the USA, but my life and future are here. I do not feel very attached to the USA. I am very disillusioned with it. I believe in our Bill of Rights and our original Constitution, but I see a country that has fallen very far from those ideals. In the Netherlands, people are not in jobs they hate because they need the health insurance. People have enough vacation. They have enough time. When you have time you think things through and make intelligent decisions, and that is what I see here. I see a society and a country that is not rushed, and that is functioning on carefully considered decisions. And I see a populace that is very hard to fool. (Anita's note: Hard to fool ? I do NOT agree with you on that Suzanne ! See the blunder with Swine flu and Uruzgan... )

Cultural shock ?

The lack of service-oriented employees has been the most frustrating thing to deal with in the Netherlands. Examples ? The topper was when we walked into a rental car place to get a van for the day. We were the only customers in the entire establishment. There was a clerk behind the desk. He said he would be with us in a moment, and left us standing there watching him for ten minutes while he finished his coffee and pastry. Then, with no apology for the delay, he waited on us. In the USA, he would very likely have been fired for keeping us waiting while he snacked right in front of us.

What have you learned about yourself after all these years living outside the US ?

That language need not be a barrier to human relations, and that people are people, everywhere you go. Most people are good, and most people want the same basic things out of life. Sign language is more universal than you might think, and a sincere smile will get you just about anywhere.

Note: except for the last photo (with a stroopwafel, taken from the net - couldn't find the author's name) all the photos in this post were made by me at Suzanne's shop La Naranja, located on Bilderdijkstraat 198, 1053LE Amsterdam. Or check: www.lanaranja.nl . I am curious how Americans living in the NL relate to Suzanne's opinions and whether they will make any comments... Thanks a lot for your interview Su !

Ann's Amarelinha

Esta semana estou no blog da Ann Moeller o "Amarelinha" na categoria "Criando Brasileirinhos Mundo Afora". Eu falo sobre como é minha experiência de ser mãe brasileira na Holanda. A Ann é uma engenheira brasileira casada com um polonês e mora há 20 anos em Londres, onde criam seus filhos. Outras mães brasileiras pelo mundo falam sobre como vivenciam a maternidade no estrangeiro, vale a pena dar uma passada pelo blog dela. Obrigada pelo convite, Ann !

www.amarelinha.co.uk

Mini-interview # 7: Aledys Ver

Aledys Ver in Cordoba, Argentina

Above: Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires. Below: asado, Puerto Madero. Both photos made by me.

Today we are going to the South Hemisphere, to the land of parrilladas and tango, to talk to a true cordobesa: Aledys Ver.

Aledys, tell us about you.
I come from Córdoba, a large city in Argentina. I have been living in the Netherlands since 2003 when I moved here after marrying a “Hollander”. Back home I used to work for an Argentinean/British cultural organization and as a teacher of English. Here in Holland I do freelance work as a translator and SLT (Second Language Teaching) consultant.
I am author of a brand new blog called “From Argentina to the Netherlands, for love!” in which I try to present my views of life here in the Netherlands, promote all the beautiful places that I have so far been able to visit in the country and also share things and show places about my native country, Argentina.
Among my favourite things I can mention reading, learning foreign languages, learning about different cultures and places around the world and taking photos.

And why did you come to the NL ?
I came to the Netherlands following my husband, who is Dutch. I always thought that one day I might end up living abroad; in fact, I spent some time living in Britain due to my studies, but I never ever thought I’d end up in Holland!

How difficult was it for you to adapt to the Dutch culture ?
Not much, really. Argentinean and Dutch lifestyles are not strikingly different which was an advantage, really. I still do find certain aspects of life here difficult to accept, but by now I think I’ve worked them out in some way.
The most difficult part has been, and still is, being so far away from my family and my friends. I go to Argentina and spend 2 months every year over there, but I still miss my country a lot.

What do you like most about Dutch life ?
I think the Netherlands is a beautiful country. The landscapes are incredible, the architecture is wonderful and I love its old cities as well as the little quaint villages and town. Life here in Holland runs smoothly, here you CAN take things for granted, almost everything works properly and efficiently. I also like some of the most typical characteristic of Dutch society: hard-work, perseverance, tolerance, determination to achieve a goal.
Among the things I don’t like so much, I could mention the weather (how original of me) and sometimes, I find Dutch straight-forwardness or bluntness hard to put up with.

I think Argentina has a great cuisine, a mix of Spanish with Italian and other minor influences. What about the Dutch cuisine, how do you like it ?
I can’t say I love Dutch cooking, no… Food has been one of the big issues for me, but thank God not anymore. As they say in the Army, “Courage and Resignation” – it’s become my motto now ;)

After years living in the NL, do you see your own country with different eyes ?
Definitely. I can say that I have come to value many things that I just took for granted when I was still living there. I also notice more markedly all the things that normally go wrong in my country and why they go wrong. When I am there, I sometimes wish things were more like in the Netherlands; while when I am here, I wish things and especially people, were more like in Argentina.

Any advice for expats who are trying to adapt to a life in the NL ?
Try to accept that things are different here and that this is not necessarily something bad. Try to be flexible and tolerant. Mix with natives, other expats, people of your own nationality. Try to find aspects of the country or of the culture that you like and do something with that. In my case, touring the country a little whenever I can, writing about the country in my blog and showing out there on the net through my pictures how beautiful Holland is, has made me like this country and my life here even more.

Recoleta Cemetery, B.A., Argentina. One of the poshiest cemeteries in the world. Photos above and below by me.

La Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon, de los padres Capuchinos, Cordoba, Argentina (photo Aledys Ver)

La Iglesia de los Capuchinos, reflected in Buen Pastor Complex, Cordoba, Argentina (photo Aledys Ver)

El Paseo del Buen Pastor, Cultural Complex, downtown Cordoba (photo: Aledys)

Querida E.S., gracias por enviarme las fotografias, por el texto, todo tu esfuerzo y corazon abierto !

Mini-Interview # 6: Marcella Savaget Madeira

A couple of weeks ago Monica Angeleas - the general president-director of the other blog I (sometimes) write to - informed me that a young Brazilian artist living in Amsterdam would take part in an exposition. She suggested it could a good idea to interview her for this blog. I have found her work vibrant, colourful and full of rythm. I met Marcella last week in a cafe in Amsterdam and she promptly accepted my invitation for an interview. Brazilian readers can also check her original interview in Portuguese right after the English version.

- Please introduce yourself.

I am an artist who lives and work in Amsterdam. In 2004 I graduated in Social Communication by Pontifícia Universidade Católica (PUC) in Rio in 2003. I have also studied painting at Visual Arts School in Parque Lage, RJ. In 2005 I moved to Barcelona in order to follow a MBA and in 2007 I arrived in Amsterdam. Now I am totally committed to my art, my works are part of several private collections around the world and frequently I take part in expositions in Brasil and in the Netherlands. My next exposition is this weekend (3rd and 4th October) in the Open Atelier De Pijp (in Amsterdam).

Why did you come specifically to Holland ?

My husband and I were already in Europe, in the wonderful Barcelona for two years. I love that city, reminds me of Rio – but with a European flavour. It was a very rich experience for me because life in Europe was very different to what I was used to in Brazil. After two years in Barcelona we had both finished our MBA’s and I was stuck in a job which I didn’t like. I was dreaming of living somewhere else. My husband coincidentally received a work proposal in the Netherlands and I thought it could be an excellent place for my life as an artist. We arrived here in a very joyous mood, and with our spirits open for a new “world” that would be welcoming us.

How was your beginning in Amsterdam ?

As soon as I arrived here I decided to focus all my energy in becoming the artist that I always wished to be. My previous experiences in multinational had taught me that discipline plus effort are one of the fundamental recipes to reach your goals. Today I am a fulltime dedicated artist. I have already taken part in four important expositions and the next one is next weekend in De Pijp. I believe I am the only foreigner who is taking part in it and despite not having my atelier in de Pijp (south of Amsterdam) I was invited by the organizer of the event.

And what do you like the most in Amsterdam ?

This is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its canals, small streets and stunning architecture. It has the charms of a small village where you can cross all the areas with your bike. At the same time it is truly international, with people from all parts of the world. There is a lot of freedom, from drug consumption to paid sex, everyone goes ahead with his/her projects – as much as you do not disturb the others.
I also love the fact that you are so central in Europe. We travel around Europe as much as we can afford it because when we go back to our lives in Brazil it is much more complicated. We also love welcoming friends in Amsterdam and my husband loves cooking for them – very gezellig.

Anything you dislike about your life in the Netherlands ?

The cold Dutch winter, with short and grey days. And I miss the good Brazilian food very much. For the rest I love living here.

Cultural shock ?

As soon as I started to experience the Dutch winter: enormously cold and at 4 o’clock in the afternoon it is already dark ! Tough. It rains absurdly and like a typical carioca girl (Rio native) I hate rain ! But I have to say that I got surprised with the Dutch attitude: they are very polite. The Catalans (native of Barcelona) are not the most polite in the world. And I have to confess that I was already getting used to their rude treatment towards me. Therefore it was refreshing to be exposed to the Dutch behaviour.

For example: during my first day in Amsterdam I got completely lost and asked a woman for directions. She had no clue about the address I was asking for so she called her husband and gave her cell phone to me in order to talk to him. Another example: the second day I found a shop with canvases in promotion and decided to buy 5 big ones for a wonderful price. I forgot I didn’t have a car to take them home. I decided to put everything on the top of my head. EVERYBODY was looking at me on the streets, it was very windy but I decided to keep walking even with trembling legs. And then a Dutch lady approached me and offered some help – which I denied. She noticed it was a sort of “Mission: Impossible” for such a small girl like me therefore… she grabbed 3 of the canvases puts them on her head and follows me home. These moments I have never forgotten ! There are people that say Dutch people are blunt – that is not my impression. I do believe that everything works according to how you see the world. I always try to see the good side of people.

- What have you learned about yourself after all these last years living outside of Brazil ?

I believe everyday brings you a lesson – that is the wonder of living abroad. When you leave your nest, your country, you definitely leave your comfort zone. Living outside of your culture you start to analyzing all the nuances of your cultural background, the good and bad aspects. This is excellent for your self knowledge. I always tell to people wishing to live abroad to stop comparing your “home” with your new country. You should also be open for new experiences: new foods and doing things you had never imagined before. Of course it is not easy but it is worth while – I guarantee it !

Marcella has a blog where you can check her paintings: www.marcellamadeira.blogspot.com

Her work is also being featured in the Dutch magazines Palet and Amsterdam Weekly, October issues. Check also: www.peoplefrombrazil.com

- Quem é você ?

Marcella Savaget Madeira. Sou uma artista plástica que trabalha e vive em Amsterdam. Em 2004 terminei o curso de Comunicação Social pela PUC-RJ e de 2003 a 2005 estudei pintura na Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage, RJ. Em 2005, me mudei para Barcelona para cursar um MBA onde vivi por 2 anos, antes de me mudar para Amsterdam em 2007. Atualmente me dedica integralmente a pintura, meus quadros fazem parte de coleçoes privadas em vários lugares do mundo e frequentemente participo de exposições no Brasil e Amsterdam. A minha próxima exposição será dias 3 e 4 de Outubro no Open Atelier De Pijp.

- Por que você veio para a Holanda ? Como foi seu inicio por aqui ?

Já morávamos na Europa, na maravilhosa Barcelona fazia 2 anos. Adoro aquela cidade, parece o Rio de Janeiro em versão Européia. Foi uma fase muito enriquecedora já que a vida aqui na Europa é muito distinta da que levamos no Brasil , mas depois de 2 anos terminado o MBA e um trabalho que não estava muito satisfeita, senti que já era a hora de ir mais além. Foi quando surgiu a oportunidade de virmos para Holanda. Meu marido teve uma oferta de trabalho aqui e eu achei que era uma excelente oportunidade para o meu trabalho de artista. Viemos muito felizes, animados e de mente aberta para o novo “mundo” que nos aguardava.

- Qual o seu trabalho ? Como foi seu inicio nessa área de trabalho aqui ?

Foi apenas quando me mudei para Amsterdam, que decidi colocar toda a minha energia para me tornar a artista que eu sempre desejei ser. Minhas experiências profissionais em multinacionais me ensinaram que disciplina e esforço são uma algumas receitas fundamentais para se chegar onde você deseja. E é com a mesma dedicação de antes que hoje sigo a minha vida de artista em tempo integral. Graças a muito esforço e dedicação, muitas coisas boas aconteceram aqui para mim e meu trabalho. Já realizei 4 exposições importantes e dentro em breve participo do Open Ateliers de Pijp, acredito que sou a única estrangeira e mesmo não tendo o meu atelier nesta área fui convidada pelo próprio organizador do evento.

- Quais são as coisas de que você mais gosta na Holanda ?

Amsterdam é para mim uma das cidades mais lindas do mundo, com seus canais, ruelas e linda arquitetura, esta cidade possui o charme de cidade pequena, onde tudo se pode fazer de bicicleta, mas ao mesmo tempo é uma cidade internacional, com gente do mundo tudo, além da liberdade que existe aqui, das drogas ao sexo, cada um faz o que quer, desde que não incomode o outro.

Também adoro o fato de podermos viajar tão facilmente. Aqui na Europa como tudo é perto, viajamos o máximo que podemos, pois sei que no dia que voltarmos para o Brasil será um pouco mais complicado. Em 2 horas de carro ou de avião, estamos em outro país e cultura completamente distinta. Nos últimos meses já estivemos na Itália 2 vezes, Espanha e Portugal. E quando estamos aqui em Amsterdam, adoramos receber amigos em casa. Já recebemos gente do mundo todo, o que não deixa de ser uma outra viagem que fazemos quando estamos jantando com alguém de uma cultura diferente da nossa. Meu marido adora cozinhar e como aqui na Europa a maioria das cozinhas são abertas a sala, ele cozinha, participa das conversas e dos muitos risos que damos.

- E do que não gosta ?

Esta é uma pergunta fácil, não gosto do inverno holandês onde os dias são curtos e cinzas e também sinto muita falta da boa comida brasileira, tirando isto adoro morar aqui.

- Você teve algum choque cultural ?

Gostei de Amsterdam logo de início, mas em um mês começou o inverno, além do enorme frio a pior parte era que ás quatro da tarde já estava escuro. Digamos que foi um pouco duro, além disto, chove demais, é como todo bom carioca, odeio chuva! Mas a parte boa foi que me surpreendi com a atitude dos holandês, que é um povo muito educado.Digo sempre que tive um choque quando cheguei aqui. Os catalães não são o povo mais educados do mundo, e confesso que já estava me acostumando com o tratamento rude deles, tanto é que quando cheguei aqui, me impressionei com a educação dos Holandeses.

Eu lembro que no primeiro dia que cheguei e estava perdida na rua, perguntei para uma mulher onde era a rua tal, ela não sabia, mas pegou o telefone, ligou para o marido e me passou o telefone para que ele pudesse me explicar onde era. Outro exemplo, foi logo no dia seguinte quando encontrei uma loja de telas em promoção e mesmo sem carro não quis perder a oportunidade, então comprei 5 telas grandes por um preço maravilhoso, o problema era como chegar em casa com as telas. Voltei para casa carregando tudo na cabeça. Todo mundo me olhava, ventava muito, mas eu ia carregando as telas, toda bamba. Até que uma pessoa pára do meu lado e me oferece ajuda, eu como toda a educação disse que não era necessário. Mas claro que era completamente necessário. Levar aquilo tudo no vento que estava era uma "mega operação", então a senhora pega metade das telas, coloca também na cabeça e me acompanha até em casa. Foram momentos que nunca mais esqueci! Existem pessoas que dizem que o holandês é um povo mal educado, felizmente esta não é minha impressão, acredito que tudo que acontece funciona de acordo como você vê o mundo, eu sempre tendo ver o lado positivo das pessoas.

- O que você aprendeu sobre si mesma desde que chegou a Holanda ? Algum conselho para expatriados ?

Acredito que todo dia é um grande aprendizado, esta é a maravilha de se morar num lugar diferente. Quando você saí do seu “ninho”, você saí da sua zona de conforto. Ao distanciar-se da sua cultura você passa a perceber todas as nuances de sua cultura, com seus defeitos e qualidades e isto é muito importante para o auto-conhecimento, pois todos somos nossa cultura. Sempre digo a quem está vindo morar fora, para não comparar o lugar novo com a sua “casa”, pois “casa” é sempre casa. Além disto você tem que estar de mente aberta para todas as novas experiências, isto implica desde provar novas comidas a fazer coisas que você nunca imaginou. Claro que não é fácil, mas garanto que vale muito a pena!
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Para conhecer mais sobre o trabalho da Marcella visitem o blog dela:

http://www.marcellamadeira.blogspot.com/

Mini-interview # 5: Kati De Jong

We go up now, almost to the North Pole. I think for the next interview I have to post someone from the South hemisphere, for the contrast. Kati preferred not to pose for a photo. Helaas, pindakaas.

1) Who are you ?

My name is Kati and I come from Finland. But I have lived my entire "adult-life" in the Netherlands. It was my Dutch boyfriend who made me moving here. After au pairing for a year in Wassenaar I decided to stay in the country for a bit longer and start my International Business and Management studies in Amsterdam. At the the time I did not speak Dutch fluently yet, so I chose a study that was offered in the English language. Studying in the Netherlands was an interesting experience, a complete different approach than the one I was used to. Slowly but surely I learned the Dutch language and found a job in the Human Resources field of an international company close by home. I loved it and decided to go for a career in HR when I would graduate. Now, years later I am still working in HR and really enjoy it. Since I am a proud mother of a 1 year old baby boy I have chosen to work part-time 3 days a week. I am very grateful that it is possible here in the Netherlands.

2) What brought you to the NL ?

You can blame my husband !

3) What do you miss the most about your home country ?

I come from Finland where there are four seasons that really differ from each other (cold and snowy winter, dry and warmer summer, etc.). I miss that a lot. Sometimes I feel it is a long autumn here in the Netherlands as it is often grey and rainy. I also miss some Finnish food, such as rye bread and Fazer chocolate... I always have to explain myself in the luggage check at the airport on my way back home from Finland -with 30 rye bread loaves in my bag !

4 ) What is the best personal experience about living in the NL ? The worst ?

I like the Dutch tolerance and the fact that so many nationalities are represented in this small country. I think that's such a richness and that's where Finland definitely has a learning point ! I also love the architecture and the fact that ther are so many beautiful oldcities and villages. Of course there are also things that took me a long time to get used to such as the Dutch birthday traditions, which I still find very awkward...

5) Would you have advices for expats who have just arrived in the NL ?

Learn the Dutch language. Dutch people all speak English so it is not your primary need. But you will notice that it (speaking Dutch) will make you life easier, and most importantly, more interesting as that is the only way to really get into the Dutch society.

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Anita's comments:

I think if you come from Finland you do not experience a big cultural shock. Being blond and blue eyed you also blend with the locals immediately. I can relate to your feelings about Dutch birthday celebrations too. Why the guests congratulate everyone present in the party, one by one and looking into the eyes, is a mystery to me. The pies are kept in a paper box in the kitchen and are served before the appetizers. Guest may come in different schedules. So confusing everything. Btw, being a mom like you I also love the opportunity of working partime !

Well, thanks a lot for your time and interview Kati. I do appreciate that.

Interest in making delicious rye bread ? Check:
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-rye-bread

Also check why Finnish rye-bread is so special visiting this site:
http://www.eatandjoy.com/?p=56