• Glühwein. You can buy or make it with or without alcohol. For the non-alcoholic recipe, click here.
• Goodies from the gebakkraam.
• Taai-taai and pepernoten or kruidnoten.
• Kerstverlichting [English: Christmas lights] and kerstversiering [English: Christmas décor].
• Christmas markets. They have them in the Netherlands, but I also enjoy those in Germany: Weihnachtsmarkt. This is where the sounds of music and smells of cloves and ginger seem to fill the air. The spirit of the season is really alive there. I love to see the crafts for sale and try something new to eat and drink each time I visit.
• Christmas is, of course, celebrated in the Netherlands. But it seems to me that each year the decorating becomes more than the year before. After Sinterklaas pays the children a visit, the homes seem instantly decorated for the Kerstdagen [English: Two Christmas days; December 25 and 26]. Some before. Or maybe it's just in my neighborhood where I get the idea that the decorating seems to become more each year? How is it in your Dutch neighborhood? The neighbors on my street seem to add more décor to the outside of their homes each year. It's a slow progression: It went from the few homes with a front window only having lights, to now the bushes and trees in their front yards also decorated with lights, as well as a wreath on their front door. Same people, just something new each year. It's as if they are boldly daring each other to do more each year, and I get a kick out of it. I look forward to the day when they too have life-size Christmas characters by their front door.

• Thanksgiving with my family. Priceless.
• Seeing family members who are either no longer able to fly comfortably halfway around the world or who can't afford it. Priceless.
• Sitting across the table, in the same room and also going shopping with my best friend. Also very priceless!
• Eggnog!
• Shopping. The U.S. dollar is unfortunately down to about ±67 euro cents, but this is a good thing in my situation. For every euro, I will get about $1.47, meaning the prices for goods, converted, will be lower. So Black Friday, here I come!
• Christmas lights. I can see these in the Netherlands, of course. But then again, I feel there is a magic about it. And in America, some go wild when it comes to decorating with lights. Often, this is great to see. Even if some go over-the-top with larger-than-life versions of light-up Frosty the Snowman and Disney character carolers all over their front yard.
• Taking the children of my family and friends to see Santa.
• Eating dinner in a restaurant which has a view of the Pacific Ocean. . .

Image © Holly Clark

A So Cal surfer and sunset on the Pacific Ocean.
And, below, some pieces of Newport Beach and Balboa. . .

Image © Holly Clark

Have you ever been to Newport Beach, California? If so, what are you favorite places? I enjoy shopping at the Fashion Island Mall [and even up to Irvine to the Spectrum Center], going down to the pier at Newport Bay/Balboa and driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at Ruby's Shake Shack at Crystal Cove along the way to Laguna Beach.

Newport Beach pier. . .

Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

There is much more to do at Newport Beach and Balboa, but it will feel especially nice to take my time and enjoy what is around me, no rush. I think each of us expats have during a certain part of the year at least a few moments where we reflect back on the best of where we've lived and areas that we're familiar with and enjoyed. There is nothing wrong with this. I am comfortable in my life in the Netherlands, even though there have been sometimes when it was not always so easy, but it sure does feel good every once in a while to dream about places to go on vacation or about visiting family and friends. This is something I need to go do at least once a year, and I would suggest it to any expat: go on a vacation to a place in the world where you've never been or make a trip to see some family and friends. For me, this time around, it means going to gather with family and friends. . .


Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

And then there's Laguna Beach!
Here are a few views. . .


Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

About Laguna: When you turn off the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach to Broadway Street, you will find many shops. Some are art galleries, and every month on the first Thursday is ArtWalk. There are also several other art associated events in Laguna Beach. Some other shops in Laguna Beach are surfer-themed and shops with one-of-a-kind souvenirs. The last time I was there, I bought handmade sandals, and my mother-in-law bought all of her souvenirs for Dutch family and friends since many of the souvenirs seemed to be more original than the typical seen elsewhere. I don't remember where we ate, but there were a lot of places by the beach to choose from. Near the Laguna Art Museum is one restaurant I recall well, Las Brisas, where we had coffee and dessert. They sit directly on the beach, and they have an outdoor terrace with heating and beautiful ocean view, along with a nice pathway leading down to the beach. . .

Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

When visiting Laguna Beach, do be aware during the summer months or weekends, especially when the weather is ideal, for an overload of tourists. The hills above Laguna Beach are filled with cliffside homes and parking can become limited. An option is to park on these residential streets, respecting the signage and the parking availability of residents. However, it's not always a guarantee you can park on these streets. It may be ideal to park somewhere further away and either take the bus, shuttle or tram, or plan on a walk. If it is summer, the shuttle is free. Either way, don't be discouraged because the area is really a worth the visit. It's just hard to predict ahead of time how busy it will become, but do be prepared.

The hills above Laguna Beach have had some recent natural disasters, but you probably wouldn't notice if you weren't told ahead of time because of how quickly and well the area is cared for. In 1993, the hillside was on fire [video], and in 1995 they had a flash flood [video].

You can learn more about Laguna Beach at this link.

Further on my upcoming visit: I'm not a big fast food fanatic. I can count on one hand how many times I eat fast food in a year, but of course I'm going to splurge while I'm over there on some favorites at least a few times. . .


Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

Root beer floats, curly fries and In-n-Out! Naturally, I also have to pay a visit Taco Bell and Del Taco. . . And shopping galore, but of course!

Image © Holly Clark

And how could I not go shopping?
Target, you're first on my list!


Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark

Having said all of this, it should be an interesting Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season! I'll update as much as possible while I'm away, but be prepared for a lot of my own photos when I return. And I wish for you all a very happy holiday season as well, no matter what you celebrate!

A cup of warme Chocomel met slagroom [with whipped cream], one very delicious Dutch version of hot chocolate. Photo: © Mats Hage Eikemo


Snert or erwtensoep [English: pea soup] is a hearty and warm meal to come home to after a long trip home in the cold. I've written about erwtensoep before on my blog [here]. If the spoon stands up straight in it, as pictured here, it is considered to be at its best, according to many of the Dutch who have shared about this soup with me. Photo: © Coanri


The gebakkraam! It's the Dutch version of a donut stand, well-lit enough to see from a block away. Photo: © Akbar Simonse

Vers van de bakker [fresh from the baker], this gebak [English: pastry] is great year-round. You can pick up a variety of freshly made everyday at any local bakery in the Netherlands. Photo: © Karen Cicco


Kruidnoten. I've written about these before [here]. These make their yearly appearance in the Netherlands in the stores from sometime in September through December. They are sold in many varieties, and often in stores by the cash register they will have a cup filled for you to take a few, mixed with marzipan candies. This mixture is called strooigoed and goes hand-in-hand with the Sinterklaas festivities [here].

The canals by day. . .


And the canals by night. Photos: © Karen Cicco

The accordeon [English: accordion] being played by a cheery woman on the streets of Den Bosch or Hertogenbosch. Photo: © Akbar Simonse

A pair of red wooden shoe heels, as seen at the Wooden Shoe Museum in Zaanse Schans. Photo: © Kalmanzita

A wooden shoe as a rolschaats [English: rollerskate], as seen in Zaanse Schans. Photo: © Kalmanzita


A nice, colorful variety of miniature wooden shoe choices. Photo: © Tovje


Nijntje, of course! Nijntje is also known as Miffy in English-speaking countries. This little pair of wooden shoes is a refrigerator magnet. Photo: © Kalmanzita

In the early spring, the bloembollen [English: flower bulbs] planted between September and December all begin to grow and bloom. Photo: © Milen@


And the bloembakken [English: flower boxes] below the windows are filled with color again. On the Amsterdam Singel. . . Photo: © Tovje


And though the bloemenmarkt [English: flower market] is full of flowers year round, this seems to be the season when the fresh, colorful flowers are their most magical. Photo: © Kalmanzita

This book analyzes how the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) deal with general international law. In the light of the concerns of various authors about the fragmentation of international law and the “human rightist” aspirations of human rights law, the question arises whether these human rights courts put the unity of general international law into danger.

The main idea of this study is that the ECtHR and the IACtHR may in principle only “elaborate” and not “depart” from or “contradict” general international law. A departure is only acceptable if a clear lex specialis has been established for human rights law.

The author researches whether or not the sometimes different case law of both human rights courts fits into this assumption. Almost all topics of general international law that have been dealt with by the ECtHR and IACtHR are analyzed: reservations, application of treaties ratione temporis, ratione loci and ratione personae, interpretation rules, the theory of the sources of international law, jus cogens, modification and withdrawal from treaties, diplomatic protection, exhaustion of local remedies, State responsibility (including the law of reparations), foreign State immunity and State succession.

This volume is of interest not only to human rights lawyers, but to all international lawyers. It explains how certain traditional concepts of general international law appear to function, and how other concepts need to be refined in order to create a more effective international order. This analysis may be a source of inspiration for other subsystems of international law like environmental law, WTO law, maritime law, space law, etc.

55. La présence du crucifix peut aisément être interprétée par des élèves de tous âges comme un signe religieux et ils se sentiront éduqués dans un environnement scolaire marqué par une religion donnée. Ce qui peut être encourageant pour certains élèves religieux, peut être perturbant émotionnellement pour des élèves d'autres religions ou ceux qui ne professent aucune religion. Ce risque est particulièrement présent chez les élèves appartenant à des minorités religieuses. La liberté négative n'est pas limitée à l'absence de services religieux ou d'enseignement religieux. Elle s'étend aux pratiques et aux symboles exprimant, en particulier ou en général, une croyance, une religion ou l'athéisme. Ce droit négatif mérite une protection particulière si c'est l'Etat qui exprime une croyance et si la personne est placée dans une situation dont elle ne peut se dégager ou seulement en consentant des efforts et un sacrifice disproportionnés.

56. L'exposition d'un ou plusieurs symboles religieux ne peut se justifier ni par la demande d'autres parents qui souhaitent une éducation religieuse conforme à leurs convictions, ni, comme le Gouvernement le soutient, par la nécessité d'un compromis nécessaire avec les partis politiques d'inspiration chrétienne. Le respect des convictions de parents en matière d'éducation doit prendre en compte le respect des convictions des autres parents. L'Etat est tenu à la neutralité confessionnelle dans le cadre de l'éducation publique obligatoire où la présence aux cours est requise sans considération de religion et qui doit chercher à inculquer aux élèves une pensée critique.

La Cour ne voit pas comment l'exposition, dans des salles de classe des écoles publiques, d'un symbole qu'il est raisonnable d'associer au catholicisme (la religion majoritaire en Italie) pourrait servir le pluralisme éducatif qui est essentiel à la préservation d'une « société démocratique » telle que la conçoit la Convention, pluralisme qui a été reconnu par la Cour constitutionnelle en droit interne.

From the harbor area, Sinterklaas will ride his white horse through the center of Amsterdam as his helpers throw holiday cookies and candies to the hundreds of children and onlookers along the route. This is one of the most anticipated events of the calendar, especially for kids.

Don't miss the opportunity to see his huge welcome party in Amsterdam. See pictures from last year's arrival and you'll understand why you should stake out a viewing spot by 11 a.m. at the latest. He's expected at Dam Square by 2 p.m. and at Leidseplein by 4 p.m.

^{Photo © sintinamsterdam.nl}

Welcome Sinterklaas to Amsterdam November 15 originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 11:17:39.

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