When we were to spend our first night in the neighborhood, 7 close neighbors stopped by. They erected a lovely welcome sign over our front walkway. They came in for the customary coffee and sweet (note the singular).
We had no furniture yet except a deck table in questionable condition and 5 plastic chairs that surrounded it. We had been warned about the coffee, so we had made a pot and had sweets available. But, we only 'owned' 6 mugs (four were borrowed) and 2 acrylic cups. Our landlord took a look at the lack of chairs and turned with his neighbor across the street. They returned with 2 more plastic chairs and 4 matching nice leather or naugahyde chairs (which are still in our kitchen as we await furniture). This definitely improved all, but for the folks drinking coffee from acrylic wine glasses.
The conversation was rapid in Dutch. Slow and sporadic in English. The smiles were genuine enough, though. Lot's of blushing at our own ineptitude.
This was before we had even the loaner furniture from Schinnen.
According to many of our American friends, here, this welcome is common within neighborhood confines.
Thanks to Eric's predecessor and family, they paid out our portion of the annual dues for the neighborhood association. The association throws a midsummer party (which we attended a portion of on our second weekend in country) and a santa related program in December for the kids.
Strangely, Santa (Sinter Klass) comes from Spain on December 5th. I don't have the whole story. I am looking forward to learning more about that. Perhaps, it is related to Advent. I am sort of sorry that we might be in the states and thus miss the excitement...though of course looking forward to having Eileen and her grandparents and great grandma together.
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