Click “read more” to see photos of Evalinde, Me and Sinterklaas!
It turns out, on Sunday, Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) was coming into town on a white horse.
There was a grand parade, and lots and lots of santa's "helpers." Santa's helpers are all named "Black Pete," a throwback to the days when noble people had slaves.
The Black Pete's ran around acting like morons, falling over themselves, and giving out candy. Like clowns, only they paint their faces black.
I was so disturbed, and told Evalinde, who’s Belgian, that this would never fly in the U.S., as it reminds us of our shameful past with "black face," and all that. But nobody in Amsterdam cared one bit!
I'd never seen so many "fake" black people in my life, they were completely painted, and wearing afro wigs.
Once the surprise wore off, I had a good time.
I'm glad in the U.S. the children think Santa's helpers are elves.
Check it out:
Here’s me with some Black Petes.
Evalinde and I took their little orange flags and waved them around all day.
Black Petes were climbing all over the tall buildings, delivering presents.
In Holland, Santa comes down the chimney, but he gets there by climbing up on pulley ropes, apparently. As Evalinde put it, “We don’t have flying reindeer.”
The Black Petes are scared to climb the buildings, even though that’s their job, so the children have to yell encouragement.
This Black Pete couldn’t understand why an adult would want to take a picture with him. So Evalinde explained to him that I’m American, and we don’t have Black Petes in our country.
Should I buy shoes or not?
Dam Square, waiting for Saint Nick
Little girl, skipping around, waiting for Saint Nick
Evalinde and I in the place where I bought my sparkly belts
More Black Petes on buildings
Evalinde and I climbed up on a ledge to watch the Sinterklaas Parade!
Sinterklaas was preceded by, of course, Black Petes!
A Black Pete waves to us on the ledge
Sinterklaas!!!
Then we met some weird dude who said he was from Canada, but he had an Eastern European accent.
He wanted to follow me to the airport!
Kids on stilts!
Look at Evalinde and I waving our flags with pride! haha
The EU flag goes by
Evalinde wants to be Barbie some day, but she’ll settle for Bloomberg reporter for now
Everyone was singing children’s songs and feeling festive!
I loved it!
Meanwhile, on the other side of town. . .
The drug culture
A coffee shop

I went in but didn’t take pictures. Different types of pot on the menu, and people rolling their own smokes. Umm…yeah
No Saint Nicks here
A store window, look at these wares!
Once I had seen enough of the drug culture, we went back to the fun part of town!
Sinterklaas in Dam Square
The last photo I took in Amsterdam
The end!
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