The best of my trip

The best about Holland for me was catching up with everybody. Nearly no day past by or we met up with my brothers and their family, friends aunts and cousins. On some days we were very busy. Friends we made in Nieuw Zealand and now live in Holland came all the way from Friesland (2 hours drive) to visit. That was great.
It was wonderful to see how Mayke immediately clicked with her nieces and nephews even though the ones of my younger brother were very small when she saw them last. How we fitted in so smoothly like you only can with family which gives you a great sense of belonging. From the day I came we had sunny spring weather and could eat and drink coffee outside. I stayed at my mums house and in the weekend and on queens births day e.g. my brothers and family dropped in and we were sitting outside all around the table chatting along like old times.
The older kids now also participate in the conversation and the smaller ones get their fair bit of attention. Children are very important in Holland and if possible they get listened too and parents take the time to explain everything extensively to them. Of course they also get told the rules of not interrupting and being loud but they also get to know why.
Another real joy is to participate in the Dutch humour. I felt I lost the sharpness. I used to be good at it especially in my twenties. It is hard to understand for other nationalities and it is not for the fainthearted. Having said that I have found in NZ a few kiwies who are on the same line or even better. The Dutch like to make fun of a situation, oneself or somebody else. Usually it is sarcastic. When somebody makes fun of you, you never take it personally but return the favour. Most of the time it is just for a laugh or it is a lighthearted way to point out that they don't agree with something. For example when you make a mess (most Dutch people are very tidy) by spreading all your stuff over the table, somebody comes in and says something like "so, you make the place look tidy" or "are you holding a garage sale?" My oldest brother is a star in it and he always makes me laugh.
I noticed though that I was taken aback sometimes by the directness of the Dutch being not used to it for a while but it is also very revealing. You know that people here might think things too they just don't say it. The funny thing is with some things the Dutch are very carefull in what they say. You can't just say rubbish man anymore. That is now something like an environmental cooperator (milieu medewerker) and a cleaner is an interior attendant (interieur verzorgster) Ha ha but I drift of.
Have a great day, Marja