Not A Travelogue: Dutch: It's The Way To Go

I once knew a Dutch kid named Marco. I did not like him.

A combination of my senior year with Marco and several layovers in the Amsterdam airport led me to conclude several years ago that I did not like the Netherlands, nor its tall, skinny, jerky, smoking people.

An unfair judgment, I know. I knew it then, too. But until I met a Dutch person I liked, I was determined to look upon Hollanders with disdain.

And then this July I attended a conference in Prague. 80+ students from over 30 nations around the world gathered for a week of leadership activities, and one night of culture-sharing. The first act of the night was a tall, skinny, non-blonde named Yori, who explained a bit about the bizarreness Dutch National Anthem, and tore off his shirt while singing it. I can't remember why he did, but I distinctly remember agreeing with him that, yes, that is not all that's strange about the Dutch.

The next day, I got to talking to him in one of the activities . I didn't mention my prejudice against his people, but I did bring up the Amsterdam airport, and--more importantly--that Holland is home to the best peanut butter in the world.

Ah, Calvé Pindakaas!

What? Yes! You know it! They used to sell it in Dubai, but now I can't find it anywhere and I loooove it.

Well, I can send you some!

I got a very nice email a few weeks later apologizing for the delay, but his parents had eaten the pindakaas [peanut butter] intended for me (see? it really is the best!) and of course that delayed the sending somewhat. But no matter. It's in the mail and should arrive in 8-10 days.

Sweet! I thought. And then I left for Europe and forgot all about it.

Until today.