18 Comments
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Mike Foley's avatar

That was really a fun read, Alexander. And thanks very much for the Dutch language primer. Happy Holidays!

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Hi Mike, thank you. You must have recognized quite a bit. At least the oliebollen tradition. Wishing you also happy holidays!

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RIcardo Munsel's avatar

Wat een leuke vandaag! Dank je, Alex! Fijne dagen met de familie.

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Dank je Ricardo, de frequentie ligt tijdelijk wat lager i.v.m. het opstarten van de podcasts waar toch wel veel bij komt kijken. Daarom gisteren maar een wat langere blog geschreven. Ik wens je goede Kerstdagen toe!

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Evelyne Luethy's avatar

I love this! I have so much to say (I'm a linguist after all) - but before this comment gets out of hand, let me just say that the Swiss and the Dutch have something in common in terms of the diminutives. In our case it's the -li ending. And I am definitely going to read up on the "verkleinvormen" rules. I love that the source is in Dutch.

Thank you so much for this! And, I also got hungry while reading it. Have a great Sunday!

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Marian NoΓ«'s avatar

Wees zo goed en stralen twee oliebollen over, en kan ik je later terug betalen?

Thank you, I got hungry reading about the Oliebollen (-:

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

I can imagine you must miss them!

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Evelyne Luethy's avatar

I'd like to have a couple beamed over to me as well - I could send some Swiss chocolate back ;-)

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Louisa's avatar

I enjoyed learning more about the Dutch language! It’s very interesting to see the connections to the English language. But it does not look easy to learn! πŸ˜„

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

It isn't easy but I have seen quite a few adults learning to speak Dutch within a year. The biggest problem is that the Dutch don't give them a chance to practice, we answer back in English.

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Judith L Hubbard's avatar

I hope you are able to live in Zierikzee again; going home is one’s dream, isn’t it? And that you are then able to write the many stories of your life experience, already so vast and growing every day the sun rises. Best wishes in reaching that goal when the time is right! πŸ˜ŠπŸŒπŸ•ŠοΈ

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you, I love that thought too

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Bernardi's avatar

Spreading treasures, smiles and good moments: a personal tradition. Excellent trail. Perfect walk.

An early Christmas gift. Heel goed werk, Alexander.

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Dank je wel Maria, obrigada

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Ginna's avatar

OMG!! The pictures are beautiful... but the tulips are breath taking. I hope that some day I'll be able see such gorgeous flower beds.

The explanation of oliebollenkraam- at times made me laugh. I loved it. Thank you for always taking time out to share with all of us. We greatly appreciate. Stay warm and safe.

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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Thank you, Ginna. The tulip field is on the island, but you don't see them too much here. I grew up in the west of the Netherlands, in the middle of the main tulip growing area, a spectacular sight in early springtime.

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Dec 11, 2021
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Alexander Verbeek's avatar

Someday, I hope to settle permanently on the island. It may be a good moment to write a book about the island's history and nature.

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Evelyne Luethy's avatar

Looking forward to that book!

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