Life in Holland Archives - Rachel's Ruminations

Groningen walking tour

Rachel Heller — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 19:50:00 +0000

A Groningen walking tour to introduce you to this young, dynamic and hip city with a world-class university and plenty of history to discover.

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The Polder Model in Action

Rachel Heller — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 15:05:00 +0000

Ever heard of the Dutch polder model? It's a political term referring to consensus decision-making in the Netherlands, but it's used in organizations too.

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Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) updated

Rachel Heller — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 17:57:10 +0000

In the five years since I last wrote about Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) things have changed, mostly for the better. Black Pete is disappearing.

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Expat wellness: Life as an expat

Rachel Heller — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 19:34:52 +0000

Some ruminations on life as an expat, with a few words of reassurance for those moving to a new country.

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The Beauty of a Dutch Commute

Rachel Heller — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:11:26 +0000

A couple of times a week, I commute to my part-time job in Leeuwarden, in Friesland province. Sometimes I drive, but as much as possible, I like to take the train. I start by bicycling to the train station in the center of Groningen, parking the bike and boarding the train. The train trip takes about 35...

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Christmas Compared

Rachel Heller — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:53:46 +0000

It’s almost Christmas, and I’ve been thinking a lot this year about the holiday as an event. Perhaps because I was much less busy this year than in previous years leading up to it, I’ve been noticing more. Note added at Christmas 2020: While I wrote this back in 2015, these observations still apply …...

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Wintergoud, Winterstad and WinterWelVaart 2025: Groningen’s Christmas market

Rachel Heller — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 15:27:31 +0000

Wintergoud, Winterstad and WinterWelVaart are together the annual Christmas festival in Groningen, with an unusual maritime twist that makes it extra special!

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Zwarte Piet Updated

Rachel Heller — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 15:19:25 +0000

Zwarte Piet - a tradition in the Netherlands that involves blackface - is disappearing. This post looks at the evolving situation.

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The most beautiful Starbucks?

Rachel Heller — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 11:08:19 +0000

You know how sometimes you get so used to what you see every day that you stop noticing it? I’ve walked by the Starbucks in the Groningen central train station hundreds of times in the course of commuting to and from my job up in Leeuwarden. I just didn’t pay much attention to it until...

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Black Pete redux

Rachel Heller — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 17:59:53 +0000

Speaking of local traditions, Sinterklaas is approaching again, and with it, the controversy over Zwarte Piet (Black Pete). As I posted last year, Sinterklaas (the holiday) takes place on December 5th. On that day, as well as the weeks leading up to it, Sinterklaas (the person) delivers gifts to children, landing on their roofs on...

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