30 May Myth-Busting Mission in Holland: A Happy Failure
I came to Holland intending to dispel some of the myths that Americans have about the country — but I was disillusioned to find that many of our stereotypes are actually spot on. At the end of the journey, I thought I had overturned at least one — I hadn’t seen one pair of wooden shoes all week. But on my last day, I spotted an old man tending his garden, and there they were, on his feet, glowing yellow in the country sunshine. Still, we find comfort in the symbols we associate with a place, so who am I to dissipate the magic? Here are some of my favorite Dutch myths-that-turned-out-to-be-true.
Everybody Loves Raw Herring
© Marguerite Richards
My first meal upon arrival was a feast of raw fish, with fresh herring as the centerpiece. This savory fish served with finely chopped raw onions is excellent with dark bread and a little bit of mustard. Enjoying raw fish this way makes me think of the many parallels I find between the Dutch and Japanese culture.
Tulips Everywhere You Look
© Marguerite Richards
Of course I visited in early May, smack dab in the middle of prime tulip-blooming time, so I saw the flowers in many places. But the season is really very short, lasting just from the end of March through mid-May. So be forewarned: If you don’t visit when I did, you won’t see tulips everywhere.
A Sea of Bikes in the Hague
© Marguerite Richards
The Dutch are known for their biking culture, and even follow a certain decorum while riding, stopping, and parking their two-wheeled transport. In front of Den Haag Central Station, there appears to be more bicycle parking than car parking.
A Windmill at Every Turn
If you take a drive into the countryside – and if you have time, you should definitely do so — you’re bound to see a great many of these typical beauties. This particular windmill in Wassenaar housed an art exhibit; its upper levels were still in use for milling.
The Open-Minded Dutch
© Marguerite Richards
Because of loopholes in the drug and prostitution laws, Americans have come to believe that the Dutch are an incredibly open-minded people. And indeed, in many ways their culture seems to be one of the most progressive in the West. However, I did learn about the existence of a Protestant “Bible Belt,” where inhabitants attend church sometimes twice daily, and adhere to strict rules when it comes to dress, family life, and even contraception. I found this lady in typical dress just outside of Zwartebroek. This discovery whet my appetite for further investigation into this conservative lifestyle in Holland. Perhaps there are still some myths to be overturned, after all!
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