64 connections nov2015

Connect International serves the international community in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.

Attention Writers!Enjoy Writing?The Connections Newsletter is seeking volunteer writers who enjoy writing on a theme, informative articles, or opinions they want to share. Interested? Contact us [email protected]

2 Connections #64

Supported by an international staff and Board of Directors, we provide quality relocation services and practical information to help familiarize international residents with all aspects of living, working or studying in the Northern Netherlands, as well as organizing events and activities to make connections.

ConnectingWorlds

Connect International would like to welcome the following new members:

Truls Andersen, Martin Liao, Idil Orhon, Alessandro Grillini, Stefano Grasso, Gabriel Liguori, Adam Klamo, Rubina Ali-Erenga, Elly Song, Dalibor Nakladal, Friederike Reessing, Greg Fuller, Joana Carvalho, Barbara Bernard, Carole Fuller and Jing Wan

Welcome New Members!Serv ices :

Jo in Us !You can register to become a Connect International member via our website. For a small yearly fee, you receive the Connections e-magazine newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox, you have access to the Connect International community through organized events, you can ask us any questions you may have and much more.

Visit: www.connect-int.org

● Immigration services● Home search & set-up● Social events, activities & clubs● Career services● Business events● Books & guides● Knowledge database

Connect International

Contact : Publ ica t ion Team:Connect International office:Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98, GroningenPostbus 16, 9700 AA GroningenTelephone: 050 7440087Email: [email protected]: www.connect-int.org

Publisher: Stephanie Fermor-PoortmanAssistant Editor: Margaret MetsalaContributers to this issue: Stephanie Fermor-Poortman, Alexandra van den Doel

Interested in advertising in Connections E-Magazine?Advertising Rates per Issue (10 issues per year) : 1/4 Page (12.5 x 9.5 cm) €25,00 1/2 Page (12.5 x 19 cm) €50,00 1 Page (A4 - 21 x 29.7cm) €100,00Contact [email protected] for more details.

Connect International has a full membership

https://www.facebook.com/ConnectInternational

Connecting Worlds

3 Connections #64 Connect International

Each year Sinterklaas’s offical arrival takes place in a different city throughout the Netherlands and is followed by his arrival in other cities, either on the same day or following Saturdays.

This year Sinterklaas will be arriving in Meppel on 14 November. It will be the first time his official arrival will be in the province of Drenthe.

Below are the arrival dates for major cities in the North of the Netherlands.

Meppel (official arrival) Saturday 14 November

Leeuwarden Saturday 14 November

Assen Saturday 14 November

Emmen Saturday 14 November

Groningen Saturday 21 November

Sinterklaas Arrival 2015

NovemberCalendar

November 2015


Movie Club: Big EyesMonday 2 Nov 2015 at 13:30 hrs@ Groningen, Pathe Bioscoop

Promotiedagen: IWCN’s 1st Birthday celebrationThursday 3 - Wednesday 4 Nov 2015 from 12:00 hrs until 22:00 hrs@ Groningen, MartiniPlaza

“Networking to work in the Netherlands” workshopWednesday 4 Nov 2015 at 10:00 hrs@ Groningen, IWCN office

Easy Dutch Café Friday 6 Nov 2015 at 11:00 hrs@ Groningen, Café TOET

Men’s Night Out: Basketball game Sunday 8 Nov 2015 at 15:00 hrs@ Groningen, MartiniPlaza

NovemberEvents


Connect International EventsWriter’s Circle Monday 9 Nov 2015 at 19:30 hrs@ Groningen

Sint-Maarten Day celebration (for kids)Wednesday 11 Nov 2015from 10:00 hrs until 17:00 hrs @ Groningen, IWCN office

“Meet to eat”: Cho FahWednesday 11 Nov 2015 at 19:00 hrs@ Groningen, Cho Fah

Book Club: “Things fall apart”Wednesday 11 Nov 2015 at 20:00 hrs@ Groningen @Janny’s house

International Coffee MorningFriday 13 Nov 2015 at 10:30 hrs@ Groningen, V&D’s La Place

Easy Dutch Café Wednesday 18 Nov 2015 at 10:00 hrs@ Assen, V&D’s La Place

Easy Dutch Café Thursday 19 Nov 2015 at 19:00 hrs@ Groningen, TBA

International Brainstorm Morning (Let’s Gro Festival)Friday 20 Nov 2015 from 11:00 hrs until 12:30 hrs@ Groningen, the Spiegeltent (Vismarkt)

Pub NightFriday 20 Nov 2015 at 18:00 hrs@ Groningen, O’Malley’s Pub

“Get to know your city” walk (Let’s Gro Festival)Saturday 21 Nov 2015 from 11:00 hrs until 13:00 hrs@ Groningen, TBA

Easy Dutch Café Wednesday 25 Nov 2015 at 10:30 hrs@ Leeuwarden, V&D’s LaPlace

Moonlight BowlingWednesday 25 Nov 2015 at 18:00 hrs@ Groningen, TBA

Culinary Connect: Pepernoten- making workshopThursday 26 Nov 2015 at 13:00 hrs@ Groningen, TBA

International Coffee MorningFriday 27 Nov 2015 at 10:30 hrs@ Groningen, V&D’s LaPlace

“Bulb Busket” workshopSunday 29 Nov 2015 at 13:30 hrs@ Zuidbroek (the province of Groningen)

Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands


Places to goThings to see

Nijmegen is an ancient city with over 2000 years of history, making it the oldest city in the Netherlands. The history shows in the beautiful historic buildings, museums and parks. Mixed into the ancient buildings are more modern buildings and architecture, built after the city was mistakenly bombed during World War II.

Lange Hezelstraat is the oldest shopping street in Nijmegen. It is made up of historic shop facades housing a range of speciality stores, boutiques and brocante stores. Following along the street you will come to the Grote Markt, a great place to pause and enjoy a cup of coffee and snack at one of the many bars, cafés or restaurants.

A good place for coffee is Bairro Alto. If you visit during the summer (or during warm weather) you can enjoy your

by Stephanie Fermor-Poortman


Places to go Things to see

refreshments picnic style on the grassy fields in front of the building. www.bairroalto.nl

For something more modern you could visit the Stadsbrouwerij De Hemel, located in the cellars of the Commanderie from Saint Jan’s. Inside the brewery is also a museum where you can discover more about the history of the brewery, brewing and distilling. www.restaurantdehemel.nl

If you prefer to escape the hustle and bustle of the city then head towards the Ooijpolder. During the summer you can enjoy hiking in the floodplains or sunbathing on the beaches of the Waal. Or go a little further and enjoy the forests around Groesbeek, for either a stroll or the flora and fanna.

As mentioned, Nijmegen has over 2000 years of history, having been one of the first and largest Roman city in the Netherlands and receiving its cities rights in the year 100 by Emperor Trajan. Valkhof Museum has a permanent exhibition portraying the life of soldiers and civilians during the Roman era. www.museumhetvalkhof.nl/

Food for Thought


My mother-in-law (who is Dutch) doesn’t particularly do much home cooking, but one thing I look forward to during the winter months is going over for lunch because she will always have a big pot of some hearty soup on to warm you up! This pea soup recipe is one of hers that I asked if she would share with us.

Recipe: Veggy Pea Soupby Stephanie Fermor-Poortman

Ingredients (serves 4-6)500g dry split peas2 liters of water400g ‘Hollandse wokgroente’2 vegetable stock cubes320g Curry braadworst1 tbsp oil

I used curry braadworst from Unox in my soup, but my mother-in-law said you can use any bradworst or rookworst, even bacon pieces or smoked chicken, or any similar vegetarian options. Similarly with the vegetables, my mother-In-law uses the ready chopped up packs, but you could do it yourself. ‘Hollandse wokgroente’

Food for Thought


consists of carrots, celery, red and yellow peppers, broccoli, cauliflower and french beans. This recipe will serve 4 people as a main meal, or 6 for a light lunch.

DirectionsIn a large soup pan, add the peas and water. Bring it to a gentle boil, cover and leave for 50 minutes.

The peas and water will now have a nice mushy consistency. If you still have a lot of water on top, leave to boil gently with the lid off to remove some more of the liquid.

Once the peas are down to a good consistency add in the pack of vegetables and the stock cubes and let it continue to gently boil for 10-15 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked through.

While the vegetables cook, slice the braadworst into half cm thick slices (I like to do it on a slight diagonal). Heat some oil in a frying pan and fry the slices, turning them over after a

few minutes so both sides have a nice colour.

To serve, mix ¾ of the braadworst into the soup, ladle into bowls and add the remaining bradworst on top. Serve with some rustic crusty bread and garlic butter.

Information Center


Do it!

Don’t be daunted by the weather, the madness of Dutchies on their bikes or hatred of exercise; cycling is fun, practical and good for you!

Cycling in the Netherlandsby Alexandra van den Doel

The rulesThere are of course traffic rules, but here are some basic “rules” to help you integrate:

• If you are a beginner, make sure your saddle is low enough for you to be able to reach the ground with ease and choose a bicycle with a low instep (e.g. a Mamafiets).

• Dress up warmly in the winter: you will be surprised how cold your hands and ears can get for example. (Similarly in the summer, don’t forget sunscreen on your hands, nose and forehead in particular.)

• Be confident. Cycle as if you own the road!

• Once you are confident and cease to wobble: add people (child on back and/or front, adult passenger on back), or things (carriers for shopping (basket on front, panniers on the back), clips for car seats, strollers, hockey sticks) to your bike, or just stick something large and unwieldy under your arm!

Traffic rulesWhere are you allowed to/must you cycle?On the side of the road (on the special (red) cycle path, on the bit separated by white dotted lines from the rest of the road or just on any space between the cars and the pavement / sidewalk).On specially designated cycle paths:

PriorityAlthough you will see many cyclists breaking the rules, be safe rather than sorry and stop for red lights,


Information Center

Do NOT cycle on the pavement/sidewalk area (e.g. inner city shopping streets), or pedestrian area or where you see this sign:

and give way at sharks teeth or a thick white line or at these signs:

Traffic lightsIn some cities, Groningen being a notable example, the council has decided that all the cycle traffic lights should be green at once at any one

Information Center


coming from paths and roads to your right, unless they are on a road with traffic lights/sharks teeth, or you are on a road with one of these signs:

intersection. This means that all the cars stop and that there is a rush of cyclists all crossing any which way all at the same time. This can be daunting the first couple of times, but just keep your eyes open and your feet pedalling.

Remember • Fit working, bright lights on the front and back and use them (they can be cheaply bought from shops like Hema, Action, Gamma etc.). Be seen!!! Thereby also avoiding a €55.00 on the spot fine for not having lights (on) between 1 hour before sun-down till one hour after sun-up.

• A police officer telling you to stop / go has priority over all else.

• Always give way to a police car / fire engine / ambulance with flashing lights / sirens.

• Traffic lights (temporary or permanent) trump traffic signs.

• Traffic signs (including lines and markings on the road) trump the basic rules.

Basic rulesTraffic from the right has priority!!! You must give way to bikes and cars

If you are facing another car or bike at a crossing and they want to go straight on and you want to turn left, you must wait till they have crossed.

Stick out your arm to indicate turning left or right. This is crucial to ensure your safety (from cars and other bikes) and to protect pedestrians.

If you are walking along wheeling your bike you are still considered by law to be a cyclist and not a pedestrian. Technically you are not entitled to priority at a zebra crossing for example, BUT most car drivers will treat you as a pedestrian, just beware.

And that sums it up really: beware and be aware. Cycling is fun (you see so much more, you can go places cars cannot), practical (the Netherlands is designed for cyclists and it is so much easier (and cheaper!) to park a bike than a car) and good exercise. And if it sounds like too much hard work, you can always get an electric bike!

If you are looking for unique, special gifts to give this season, a visit to one of these special Christmas markets is the ideal place to look.

Christmas Markets



Zeldzaam Mooie, Groningen (formerly Diezijn Leuk)8 Novemberwww.zeldzaammooievents.com

Holy Stitch! Leeuwarden14 - 15 Novemberwww.holystitch.nl

Zeldzaam Mooie, Deventer29 Novemberwww.zeldzaammooievents.com

Kerstmarkt Bourtange, Bourtange5-6, 12-13, 19-20 December www.bourtange.nl/evenementen/3747

Kerstfair, Dokkum11 December 2015www.facebook.com/kerstfairdokkum

Multiculinair Kerstmarkt, Groningen11 - 20 Decemberwww.multiculinairfestival.nl

Zweedse kerstmarkt, Groningen12 & 13 December 2015www.zweedsekerstmarkt.nl



Kerstfair, De Blokhuispoort, Leeuwarden12 & 13 Decemberwww.goo.gl/wmS0lU

Kerstmarkt, Heerenveen12 - 13 Decemberwww.facebook.com/events/404525129742669/

Kerstmarkt Agnietenberg, Zwolle13 Decemberwww.goo.gl/A502Le

WinterWelVaart, Groningen18 - 20 Decemberwww.winterwelvaart.nl

If you are feeling adventurous, why not think about visiting a Christmas market in Germany! http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/


Regardless of which country you live in, there are lots of things you need to take into consideration before deciding to get a dog. The time commitments, costs (including unforesee) and whether it fits in with your lifestyle. You can find lots of general advice on getting a dog online, but here are some tips and advice specific to the Netherlands.

Getting a dogby Stephanie Fermor-Poortman

The initial cost of buying a dog can vary greatly depending on what sort of dog you would like and where you get it from. One option is to rescue a dog from an animal shelter. There are lots of animal shelters (dierenasiels) in the Netherlands, some are part of larger organisations, like Dierenbescherming and Stichting Dierenasiels, and others are run by independent organisations and charities. The cost of adopting a dog ranges from €75 up to €150, but most dogs will have been checked over by a vet, have a pet passport, micro-chip, and vaccinations and are often also spayed/neutered.

Life Experience

LifeExperience


Shelter dogs tend to be on the older side, often put up for new homes because of changing circumstances, or behavioural problems, so it is important to visit the shelter and meet with the dogs and see how they interact with you and other animals. Asylum staff can be very helpful answering questions, and if you let them know what you are looking for (dog that is good with cats, small children etc) they can help advise on possible dogs. If you don’t find a dog right away ask if they can note down your details and contact you if something suitable comes in. If you are set on a puppy you will have more luck looking elsewere,

as they do not often come into shelters. The same goes if you would like a specific breed; it can take a long time to find pure breeds through a shelter.

Another option is to look in local newspapers or on Marktplaats.nl for individuals selling dogs, or you can google for a breeder (fokker). For a puppy without official breed paperwork you will be looking at spending €200 - €500 depending on the breed. For a puppy with official breed paperwork (stamboom) you will normally have to pay €1000+ depending on the breed and its parentage. If you are getting a dog from an individual or breeder you

LifeExperience


really must do some homework on what to look out for in a dog, like condition, possible signs of health conditions etc. If you are getting a puppy you should at least see the mother, and if possible the father too. You should never ideally take home a puppy that is younger than 8 weeks old, and it can be good to visit a few times before you take your puppy home to check its health is good. Many dog training schools also offer the service to go with you to check a puppy out, check its condition and give you advice in a discrete way.

As well as the initial cost of getting a

dog you need to think about the cost of equipment, vet bills (including unforeseen bills), training classes and possibly ‘dog tax’ (hondenbelasting) depending on where you live.

In the next issue of Connections I am going to talk a bit about the first few months with our puppy, Appa. Our experience of puppy training classes, and best places to buy equipment for your dog here in the Netherlands.

Dieren Bescherming ikzoekbaas.dierenbescherming.nlStichting Dierenasielswww.dierenasiels.com

64 connections nov2015

Documents