Sinterklaas in Singapore

Leave it to the Dutch to create a contrary Christmas that other countries will never adopt, mostly because it is both nonreligious and racist.  This is the second consecutive year I have missed the singular Sinterklaas festivities in Amsterdam, so it was a relief to celebrate it in Singapore during a quick weekend visit.

Who is Sinterklaas? My understanding is that he is an old dude who, whilst enjoying the sun in Spain, picked up some Moorish slaves and decided to have them captain a steamboat up through the North Sea to deliver presents to good children of the Netherlands.   And then beat the bad ones with a chimney sweep.  He named all of his slaves Black Pete (the poor guys didn’t even get snappy names like the reindeers).  By all appearances they are happy guys, dancing around like clowns and enjoying their job of pelting eager blonde Dutch kids with rock hard ginger snaps.

Don’t confuse this holiday with St. Nicolas, which is a one day event.  Sinterklaas goes on for weeks starting at the end of November when Mr. Klaas first arrives in the NL, finishing when he gets so sick and tired of the horrible weather, he returns to Spain.  During this time, the little Dutch kiddies leave their shoes out every night in hopes of receiving presents along with a bonus carrot for Klaas’ horse. 

I still haven’t figured out how the horse makes it on the steamboat or why he is left gifts and not the slaves.  Horsie never did make an appearance in Singapore.   But never mind.

As a former Dutch colony and truly international city, Singapore has thousands of expats from the Netherlands.  And I was fortunate to be visiting newly expatriated Selina when The Klaas managed to get the Black Pete’s (who are notorious for making wrong turns) to navigate through one of the world’s busiest ports.

The experience of cycling through the rain and wind to visit Selina at her cozy apartment on President Kennedylaan in Amsterdam versus flying from Hong Kong to arrive at her airy, open house in Singapore was striking.  And yes, Selina is also famous from my previous blog.  She’s the one who helped save me from skin parasites.  There is some strange irony in reuniting with both Sue (colonic hydrotherapy) and Selina (skin parasites) nearly a year after my round the world trip, and it makes me very happy. 

This was not a touristy visit to Singapore because I got to be part of the fam and celebrate a foreign tradition in an even more foreign land.  The added bonus was that Selina and Steef’s kids remind me of my beloved niece and nephew.  Sure we speak different languages, but Saar (who is 4 and going on 10) speaks incredible English.   And two year old Tijn talks Dutch to me and I respond in English - we seem to understand each other just fine.  Plus, both Tijn and I had similar responses to seeing Sinterklaas arrive:

Now you understand the look on Tijn's face.

This was such an exciting event that the Dutch ambassador to Singapore was asked to be The Klaas' escort.



The Klaas and not quite as famous Dutch Ambassador to Singapore.

 

The Klaas - I could almost touch him!

As if Sinterklaas wasn’t exclusionary enough already, we finished the celebration at the select Dutch Club.  I’m kidding because the Dutch club allows anyone to apply for membership but only Dutch people are accepted.  

Festivities continue at the Dutch Club.  Notice all the kiddies screaming to be hit with cookies.



To recover from Sinterklaas, Selina and I endured the most painful massages of all time.  I nearly begged for mercy, but knowing that Selina would be able to hear me in her room next door, I kept my wimpers to myself.  I  started hallucinating towards the end which was a welcome relief from the pain.  I felt amazing when it was I over.  Sometimes pain is a necessity for happiness.

Completing the Singaporian adventure we got into a cab with the kiddlins and went to a nearby man made beach.  I personally loved this beach and think Man did just fine. 

 

Not a bad way to spend a weekend.  I'll be back...