Interview with an expat

INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 2022 | 19 Interview with an expat

and I complain about it, but it’s a real first-world problem.

What’s the worst thing about the Netherlands?

Maastricht. Nothing nice people told me about this place was true. And let’s leave it at this.

Do you have Dutch friends?

No. I usually think I’m meeting a Dutch person only to discover later in conversation that they are another expat who’s just lived here for 5-10 years and speaks perfect Nederlands. Maybe it’s just my luck, maybe I will soon befriend my first “real” Dutch person!

What do you like about Dutch people? What don’t you like?

I like friendliness and how welcoming they are. Wherever you go people are always chilled and relaxed. Even in a rush it feels organized and purposeful. What I don’t like is the “doe normaal” approach to things. I feel it’s kind of limiting people’s self-expression and I can’t get the concept of fitting in to stand out .

What is your favourite Dutch food? And what Dutch food do you dislike?

I love Dutch sweets like bossebollen, tompoes and moorkoppen. I guess I’m not fond of stamppot.

Do you celebrate Dutch holidays? What is your favourite?

I don’t celebrate holidays much at all. Not Dutch, nor Polish ones. But I like Bevrijdingsdag and the festivities around it. Kind of dislike King’s day as I’m not that much of a party person, so for me this is quite an unnecessarily messy celebration.

Where do you like to go out?

Outside is my favorite outing. Outside pandemic times I also love to spend time outdoors. On a serious note, I’m not going out often and mostly it’s my friends that pick a place and I’m just tagging along.

Where do you come from and where do you live in the Netherlands?

I’m originally from Poland. As soon as I turned 18, I moved out to live in Germany for some time and now I’m a happy Delftenaar.

What’s your job/business?

I’m currently a student at Leiden University, doing an undergraduate in Urban Studies. Sorry in advance for all the amazing city designs I’m about to implement in my lifetime!

What as o r first ti e in the Netherlands

Before I moved here, I always thought that the Netherlands was just a party destination where you either go for red lights and weed or to bike around tulip fields. I guess I was just very ignorant, but this is what everyone thought about the country back then. When my husband got a good job opportunity in Rotterdam, we came to visit the city and we fell in love. It was so much more than what was circling around as a stereotype. Architecture was crazy in 2010 but in a good way, and compared to Berlin, where I lived at the time, it was so clean and organized. I moved to ermany to find the famous erman “ordnung” and I found this in the Netherlands instead.

What is the nicest thing about the Netherlands?

How close everything is. Now I obviously complain about it, but it was super refreshing to be able to go to a completely different city within an hour, not care in which town or city some event is playing out, because - unless its Maastricht or Groningen - you can always reach it and get back the same day. That completely changed my perception of space. After years I got so accustomed to it that now 15 minutes between Delft and Rotterdam feels like an endless journey

Do you have a favourite restaurant in your city?

Not yet in Delft (thanks Covid), but back in Rotterdam I just loved Umami by Han at Binnenrotte. It’s fusion Asian cuisine with really good prices. I learned about it from Michelin recommendations, as they have a bib gourmand mark. Do yourself a favour and try their scallops, I’m melting every time I eat them.

Where do you prefer to relax in your city?

I love the beach and would love to move Delft 10 km closer to the shoreline (c’mon global warming) but then I would probably not leave the town at all. In warm months I love to spend time at Wilhelminapark with my dog and walking through the city center is quite relaxing for me. There must be something in this old Dutch architecture that just vibrates right for me.

What’s your favourite Dutch store?

Oliebollenkraam. Hands-down the best invention of Dutch commerce. But if we talk store store then I guess Blokker is my favourite. Mostly because I’m always on the market for something for my kitchen.

What do you like to do on the weekends?

Play games or meet up with someone. Now with the pandemic it’s mostly games though. And I’m usually cooking something big on the weekend. Often something Polish, as most dishes take forever to finish.

Who is your favourite Dutch person?

Floor Jansen. She is a very compassionate, talented, good-spirited person and just a phenomenal singer. I have seen her live and I’m crazy about her voice. I would love to sound half as good as she when I sing.

What would you recommend a visitor to do and see in your city in the Netherlands?

I will not be very inventive, I think. Wander around the city center here, eat lunch at Markt with a view of a church and antique city hall, surrounded by old stone houses. Then burn these calories entering Nieuwe Kerk tower to enjoy the panoramic view of Delft and surroundings (there is no elevator, just hundreds of steps). Go see the port of Rotterdam in Hoek van Holland, see big ships entering the port and enjoy the amazing beach there.

What famous Dutch place should you really go and see?

Deltaworks. It’s not a place but a series of places, but I recommend going to see these gigantic water-stoppers as they are quite a sight to see. It makes you appreciate engineering and Dutch ingenuity.

Best kept secret in your city?

If I tell you, will it still be a secret?

Looking back, what do you wish you knew before you moved to the Netherlands?

That once a year you get a letter with local taxes to pay. It was quite unpleasant to learn about it only when I got the letter saying I needed to pay several hundreds of euros that I was not ready for. Luckily, they always give you like 2-3 months to pay for it.

What are 1-2 things you recommend to new expat here in the Netherlands?

Get rid of thinking of people as nationalities, just be an international. And for each big city you want to live in, there are at least one or two smaller satellite cities where you will live more peacefully and cheaper than in a big city. Also, they usually are so quiet that you will be able to properly relax.

Interview by Marla Thomson

Meet the makers of the iconic Delft Blue

Visit Royal Delft Museum and meet the makers of Delft ceramics. Already since 1653 the painters, potters and mold makers of Royal Delft are creating iconic blue pottery. The craft is passed on from generation to generation. Visiting Royal Delft Museum gives you the unique opportunity to see the stylish collections from di erent time periods and experience the making of the newest collections in our factory. Enjoy the collection of blue of the Dutch royals, impressive building ceramics and contemporary Delft Blue. Get an exclusive insight in how it’s all made.

Creating history through innovation

Royal Delft is the last remaining Delftware factory from the 17th century in Delft. The factory survived by innovating its decorations and production methods throughout the years. Surprising collections of Delft Red and Black were made here in the past. Nowadays Royal Delft successfully takes on the challenge of producing modern Dutch Designs that fit the current time. Discover what is made in the factory today like the stunning collection of Proud Mary or the mind blowing collection in collaboration with tattoo artist Henk Schi macher. Visiting the museum and factory gives you a guaranteed sneak peak of our newest works.

Painting workshops

In addition to a visit to the museum you can discover what it is like to be a Delft Blue painter. One of our professional workshop attendants will teach you the tricks of the trade. You may pick a tile or plate and create your own piece of art. To book your ticket and/or workshop please check out the website for the latest information.

Book your visit now! www.royaldelftmuseum.nl

FRÉ till 04 09 2022 COHEN

graphic artist

Photo Fré: Annemie Wolff en/of Helmuth Wolff © Monica Kaltenschnee