Netherlands with Paolo Llige (Cultural and Orangey Day!!! ole ole ole!!!)

It’s a Sunday and Cultural Activity Day. While biking, I noticed why people are wearing orange clothing. Is there a festival? Like orange festival? Or it’s a holiday in Amsterdam? Sven and Nichon planned for my cultural day.

They took me to the canals of Amsterdam which really play a big role in the Netherland culture. These canals were placed on the UNESCO world heritage site in 2010 and also dubbed as “Venice of the north”.

They got nice history about the canals and a great view just on each side of it. after our Canal Trip, we head to David Cronenberg Exhibits. Sven is one of the people who work for this exhibits.

The thought of the orange clothing has not left my mind, as hours passed, more and more people go out of the streets wearing this color. When I could not hold on to my curiosity much longer, I had to ask Sven. He told me that there will be a soccer match against Mexico today and it’s because orange is the Dutch Royal Family’s color. Sven invited me to visit his friend to watch the game. Sven’s friend is Fré and she lives in the countryside northern part of Amsterdam which is 20 mins away by bus from the city.

They welcomed me by giving me beer and chips. So while Nichon and Fré are preparing for dinner, Sven, I and the twin children of Fré are watching the game. It is my first time to watch a whole soccer match. I’ve always feel bored watching a 90 minute game with people running and kicking around when it’s really hard to score. But tonight was different, I feel kind of excited to watch this game maybe because these people who are avid fans of soccer and are proud that their country is included in the world cup playoffs. Mexico scored the first one and of course my fellow Dutch friends are not quite happy about it. While we were waiting the Netherlands to score, one of the twin named Floyd & Meander. Floyd gave me a Holland made colored loomband.

He is so sweet and it was my first time to have a loomband. Time’s almost up but no score yet for Holland. They only have 10 mins left to save their world cup dream and the last 2 minutes, Sneijder ties the game 1-1. We are just 7 people but I feel like 50 people are screaming and shouting inside the house.

And everyone became very ecstatic when the referee called a penalty to Mexico. Holland scores the penalty kick winning 2-1 against Mexico and advancing to quarter finals. I’m very happy that Holland won because I may think that I’m causing the bad luck. And I’m just as happy to be able to visit a dutch home where I experienced the different cultures of the dutch people.