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where are you originally from?
the netherlands
people
how would you describe the people in your country?
dutch people can be found and recognised everywhere in the world. we are outgoing and have loads of wanderlust. dutch people are very venturous.
on a scale of 1–10, how well do people in your country speak english?
8
what’s a common word or expression people use in your country?
dat is gezegellig! it cannot really be translated with one word. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gezelligheid
how do i say hello, thank you, please, and sorry in your language?
hoi or hallo/ bedankt / alstjeblieft / sorry
what do people in your country usually do for fun?
dutch people know how to throw a party, but i’d say most enjoy keeping things pretty laid-back.
food
what’s the best local food to try? anything unusual?
most foreigners really like our “stroopwafel” and most don’t like our liquorice.
what local drinks would you recommend trying?
i think it’s very dutch to drink milk with breakfast and lunch.
what’s a typical breakfast like in your country?
we usually eat bread with something on it. typical dutch is hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles).
culture
what’s the best festival to attend?
pinkpop or lowlands are the most well known festivals.
which sports are people in your country most passionate about?
football mostly.
what’s the craziest thing someone can do in your country?
there are a lot of crazy things to do in holland of course. maybe go to the waddeneilanden en skydive there?
what activities or experiences would you recommend to visitors?
visit amsterdam. it is the most well known place in holland. explore it on a bicycle, typical dutch.
are there any local customs visitors should be aware of?
i can’t think of anything, dutch people are fairly used to different cultures.
places
what are some of the most incredible places to visit in your country?
the waddeneilanden, a beautiful place in nature.
is there a lesser-known place you’d recommend? maybe a secret spot?
there are lots of places most tourists have never heard of.
where can visitors find the best beaches?
i think that would be noordwijk
if i’m staying for less than a week, which city should i choose?
amsterdam
country
how would you describe your country in one sentence?
nederland (translates in lower land) is known for its flatness. we have no mountains and hardly any hills. it’s very open and you can see far.
how many days would you recommend spending in your country?
as long as possible of course ;). but i think you can see most highlights in 9 days two weeks. if you spend here longer you can see more of the country of course.
when’s the best time to visit?
i’d say summer, holland awakens at the first rays of sun, everybody gets happy and wants to go outside. we are people who know how to make the most out of being out in the sun as we don’t have a whole lot of it.
what’s something interesting about your country that most people don’t know?
did you know our national anthem has 15 couplets?
what is your country’s most popular stereotype/cliché?
when you say you are from holland you often get asked about drugs. but some people know about windmills or clomps.
travel
do you travel often? what’s your favorite place so far?
i love to do so. i’m doubting between india (rajasthan) and tunesia (djerba)
what’s your most memorable travel story?
i’m going to link here! http://www.merelbormans.com/nl/2018/05/30/the-story-behind-by-merel-bormans/
what do you love most about traveling?
i want to see more of the world, meet new people, get to know new cultures and get out of ordinary life!
about merel
instagram: @merelbormansphotography
website/blog: http://www.merelbormans.com is a blog about photography mainly
e-mail: merelbormans@gmail.co