If you ain’t Dutch – you ain’t much…
May 8, 2009 | Category: I'm a celebrator
The girls and I are maxin’ and relaxin’ in beautiful Holland, Michigan – doing a little tip toeing through the Tulips.
Growing up, I kid you not when I admit that everyone I knew was Dutch. Blond hair, blue eyes, very tall with large feet – those where my people. The saying rang true – if you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much.
It took me until I got to college to realize that there were people in the world that couldn’t pronounce Dutch names. It was a shocker to me to find out that some people didn’t go to church TWICE on Sunday and eat ham on buns during the holidays.
So, we’re here getting back to our roots for just a few days here in Dutchville USA. Watching Dutch Dancing, Street Scrubbing and avoiding the tour buses filled with the blue hairs is all in a days work during Tulip Time in Holland. Throw in a stroll through the tulips and I’m in heaven.
Many of my Hoosier friends have expressed interest in the concept of Klompen dancing. Since I can’t find my wooden shoes, here is a small video for you – performed by the professionals. Hundreds, upon hundreds of wooden shoes professionals. The whole dance is about 15ish minutes long, but the video is just a short 30 second clip. Enjoy.
My niece Christa is one of these chosen professionals. She’s a freshman in high school and has been practicing (and rehearsing to this music) since early January. And yes, PK is wearing a Dutch costume passed down through the generations. I have pictures of myself wearing this exact outfit.
So, now you’ve had your daily dose of culture. I must wrap this post up, the balkenbrij is calling my name…
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11 Responses to “If you ain’t Dutch – you ain’t much…”
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Hi, I’m Emily.
May 9th, 2009 @ 12:00 am
Now that’s one cute little Dutch girl if I ever saw one!!! I miss Tulip Time and can’t wait to get back to Holland and put on my old costume for Tulip Time. Eat an elephant ear for me!
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May 9th, 2009 @ 1:55 am
Oh I am so jealous! I bet you are getting your fill of Ollie Bollen and Banket too! (not sure if I spelled those right!
Have loads of fun!
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May 9th, 2009 @ 2:19 am
And I LIVE in the GR area and I haven’t been to Tulip Time since high school. What’s wrong with me?! LOL.
@sarahinmi
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May 9th, 2009 @ 2:47 am
Oh this looks so fun! I want to go.
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May 9th, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
Very cute Dutch PK pics. — You know the wood shoe thing came to a hault when people realized wood shoes are actually made from WOOD? — “It’s usually made with pork liver and mainly other various cuts of the animal…” Really?! I’ll pass…unless it tastes like chicken. -Mr. Blonde
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May 9th, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
I grew up in GR and we loved to go to Holland for Tulip Time! So much fun. Those pictures are great!
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May 9th, 2009 @ 8:04 pm
Wish I was there!! Looks like fun and brings back great memories.
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May 10th, 2009 @ 12:15 am
Hey! Bummed our little Dutch girls didn’t get to hang out! Glad to see you had fun though, it was a beautiful week!
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May 11th, 2009 @ 1:35 am
Geez I live in Michigan and had no idea this goes on..How cute!
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May 11th, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
Piper looks adorable in her dutch outfit. Hope you had a great mother’s day!
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October 14th, 2010 @ 2:52 am
I must digg your article so more folks are able to look at it, really helpful, I had a hard time finding the results searching on the web, thanks.
- Joe
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