Sinterklaas Arrives!

Today we drove to Haarlem (about 20 miles north of our home, and by the sea) and happened upon the arrival of Sinterklass. He looks a lot like Santa, but came from St. Nikolas. (Who is the patron saint of Amsterdam,of traders and sailors. Also there are St. Nicholas churches everywhere. There's a whole legend (with some truth...he's buried in Turkey) Anyhow, he arrives by boat (how else in Holland?) and from the time he arrives until Dec. 5th (St. Nick's feast day) the kids put their wooden shoes by the fireplace, and Pete (Sint's helper) goes down the chimney and gets the hay and carrots they leave there, and replaces it with little gifts. (like chocolate coins). THEN on Dec. 5th, there's a knock on the door, and Sint (and Pete) arrive with a sack of gifts! (or just the sack is there) So all of the kids can't wait for Sint to arrive from Spain. (I don't know yet why Spain?) Pete gives out these tiny ginger cookies from his sack to all of the children. Then on Dec. 25th, they don't exchange gifts. It was a fun, new celebration for us!