Familie Kieviet in Senegal

In the past three years, a lot has changed in The Netherlands. A selection from the series surprises of a Dutch African:

• Everyone seems to have bought a new bike in the past two years; including a front carrier…  Your style is now defined by your flower basket, crate of beer or wooden box…
• Driving has improved as well: 130 km/h maximum speed limit! But mind the restrictions… It took Jan two weeks to figure out the new traffic signs..
• Fashion: Skinny jeans, for all ages, whether they suit you or not…
• After sourdough bread, spelt bread is now the healthiest choice.
• Apparently, many children are too fat: fruit is the mandatory school snack.
• “Candy Tomatoes” (used to be ordinary cherry tomatoes) are now found in every fridge.
• It’s crisis, and believe it or not: everyone is happy with his job (to have one at least…).
• All grandmas are babysitting: Childcare very 2010…
• Anyone a smart phone! No What’s App; not contact…
• Internet in the train! Each compartment has now become a silent one 😉
• A tablet is already commonplace: you’ll find them in the “grab along” section at the grocery store
• New hospitals are so spacious: you walk miles to get to the right department
• “Did you bring the reference code?” No more house doctor referral letters; this is digital age.

Netherlands after 3 years, what’s old?

Some things didn’t change; we appreciate them even more than before:

• Cycling with a child on the steering wheel seat, ánd on the back seat.
• Cycling in the pouring rain!
• Going outside when the sunshine (even if it’s only 16 degrees).
• Long summer nights (instead of darkness every night at 7 pm).
• The early morning ritual to open the window; smell the fresh air and feel what the weather will be for today.
• Offbeat humor in your own language 🙂
• Sharing all your mistakes openly and laugh about them
• Cheese Sandwich.
• Not having to think about how to greet someone.
• When you ask how someone’s doing, you’ll get the honest answer ..
• Flowers!
• Driving: feeling of freedom (despite the speed limits).
• Navigation; although the taxi men in Dakar can’t be defeated.
• Nature!!! The amazing green scenery! Forests, lakes, heathland; even the clouds!