We went to see his arrival here in Utrecht this afternoon and after having read David Sedaris’ take on the story of Sinterklaas and the Zwarte Pieten, we were wondering if the recession and unemployment, especially in Spain, would result in fewer Zwarte Pieten. Not at all, as it turns out. Perhaps he got some sort of cash infusion to hire on extra Zwarte Pieten this year. There were boatloads of them! Although there was perhaps a bit of racial profiling going on when two of them in a boat were approached by one of the police boats. ;)
Sinterklaas arrives on a donkey here – that explains a lot. But seeing as Belgium and Holland are now out of the recession (ho hum – when will jobs start appearing again?) that should answer N° 2.
I have another question to keep you awake at night; slightly related to your question 4. Does he have to speak Dutch with the Belastingdienst, and does he have one of those ‘special’ arrangements with them, like certain pop stars? Ok, that was two questions (sorry)
Great that you’re back! Lovely site, very interesting to read as I am Dutch :)
Almost all questions about Sinterklaas ca be answered this way:
Sint ofcourse has a tax piet that specialises in taxes (hope he doesn’t screw it up) and a custume design piet (who is a bit behind in fashion).
He has been coming to the Netherlands for so long that his Dutch is perfect, I have never heard him talking Spanish for some reason…
Any more questions? :)
Other questions…
Why is it always (blank) Dutch people dressed like Zwarte Piete(n) ? You see the blue eyes on black faces…
Why is it that Spaniards never heard of Sinterklaas ?
Why Turks do not react on that ?
Why peppernoten ?
Alison Says:
We went to see his arrival here in Utrecht this afternoon and after having read David Sedaris’ take on the story of Sinterklaas and the Zwarte Pieten, we were wondering if the recession and unemployment, especially in Spain, would result in fewer Zwarte Pieten. Not at all, as it turns out. Perhaps he got some sort of cash infusion to hire on extra Zwarte Pieten this year. There were boatloads of them! Although there was perhaps a bit of racial profiling going on when two of them in a boat were approached by one of the police boats. ;)
November 14, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
Wendi Says:
Haha! Hope you get some sleep soon.
November 14, 2009 @ 8:08 pm
VallyP Says:
These questions keep you awake at night do they Stu? You should get out more…..(said while nodding in concerned fashion)
Still, I like the exchane idea. Could broaden their horizons ;-)
November 15, 2009 @ 12:32 am
zed Says:
Sinterklaas arrives on a donkey here – that explains a lot. But seeing as Belgium and Holland are now out of the recession (ho hum – when will jobs start appearing again?) that should answer N° 2.
You should sleep better tonight for that.
November 15, 2009 @ 9:26 am
Invader Stu Says:
Alison – We were watching it on TV at home. It looked great. I thought the boat was going to sink when I saw the amount of Zwarte Pieten on board.
Wendi – Me too.
VallyP – It would put an interesting spin on it one year :)
Zed – Thanks. ?I should be able to get a little sleep now. I wonder if he arrives in Belgium by donkey because he spent all his money in Holland.
November 16, 2009 @ 10:09 am
zed Says:
HUH! He arrives on a donkey on a boat that docks in Antwerp. Everybody knows that.
November 16, 2009 @ 10:55 am
Sharon Says:
I have another question to keep you awake at night; slightly related to your question 4. Does he have to speak Dutch with the Belastingdienst, and does he have one of those ‘special’ arrangements with them, like certain pop stars? Ok, that was two questions (sorry)
November 16, 2009 @ 11:36 am
Invader Stu Says:
zed – Sounds like another mystery.
Sharon – Argh! We’d just got one question answered and then you give me two more. Are you trying to drive me crazy? :p
November 16, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
kiki Says:
I wish to add a question- who designs the Piet’s outfit, and where can i yell at him?
November 16, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
Invader Stu Says:
kiki – You don’t want me to get any sleep either do you :p
I also want to know how that costume is so soot resistant.
November 16, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
Meta Says:
Hey,
Great that you’re back! Lovely site, very interesting to read as I am Dutch :)
Almost all questions about Sinterklaas ca be answered this way:
Sint ofcourse has a tax piet that specialises in taxes (hope he doesn’t screw it up) and a custume design piet (who is a bit behind in fashion).
He has been coming to the Netherlands for so long that his Dutch is perfect, I have never heard him talking Spanish for some reason…
Any more questions? :)
Groetjes, Meta
November 19, 2009 @ 2:27 am
Invader Stu Says:
Thanks Meta. I think I can get some sleep now. A tax piet sounds really handy as well.
November 20, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
Anita Says:
Other questions…
Why is it always (blank) Dutch people dressed like Zwarte Piete(n) ? You see the blue eyes on black faces…
Why is it that Spaniards never heard of Sinterklaas ?
Why Turks do not react on that ?
Why peppernoten ?
November 26, 2009 @ 3:52 pm