The whole family spent 2 weeks in Holland. Main purpose were visits to the American Consulate to get our permanent residency (Green Card), but the timing was great.
We were in time for both the Sint Maarten festivities (November 11) and the arrival of Sint Nicolaas from Spain.
Daan made his own Pokemon lantern already in the US to use for Sint Maarten. Together with his friend Emil the went through the neighborhood, singing the St Maarten songs and receiving candy.
First I enjoyed seeing Sinterklaas sailing into the harbor of Hoorn, just in front of my grandma's house. As always, the Saint was on Steamship Madrid, all the way from Spain.
Later he went by Steam train to smaller towns close to Hoorn. we joined him, and his "Zwarte Pieten", on the train and even visited a cookie factory !