(sint and trident preparing to ride through the streets of amsterdam!)

today is SINTERKLAAS, the dutch winter holiday. it actually starts in early november when sint arrives in amsterdam on a yacht from spain. there is a big parade after he debarks and he rides through the canals on his giant white horse, trident. this parade is the only time you can catch a glimpse of sint… unlike american santa he does not ring bells on street corners for the salvation army or sit in photo booths taking christmas present orders or show up at holiday parties. he is tall and lean (like most dutch people) and chic. he wears long robes and a pointy hat like a bishop. for me, this holiday marks the beginning of the holiday madness… from sint we will move on to hanukkah, christmas and finally new years. i LOVE celebrating all the holidays but am always grateful for the quiet of january. x0x

(sinterklaas goodies: pepernoten cookies, marzipan and chocolate letters!)

(the wooden shoes we put out for sint to fill with candy… hank nibbled on them a bit)

(hank is pooped out from all the excitement!)

to read more about the holidays click here or here or here