The Magazine of the Going Dutch American Women’s Club March 2018 of

5 Officers and Chairwomen WELCOME 6 Winter Activites Collage In our I.P.L Permanent Hair Removal Studio 8 Message from the President 9 March General Meeting 9 Mimosa and Borrel Collage 10 Letter from the Editor 12 Membership 13 New Honorary President 32 14 Ongoing Activities S-C-R-A-B-B-L-E! It’s not just a parlor game. 20 One-of-a-Kind Activities 22 January Thirsty Thursday and Mary Ann’s Going Away Party Collage SUPER DEAL 24 AWC and the Arts 26 Shirley and Sue’s Going Underarms, only € 49,00 Away Party Collage 26 February Activities Collage one time payment treatment until satisfied! 28 March Calendar 31 BSN Heart Pillows 40 32 Scrabble Culture 36 FAWCO Corner If you’re planning a trip with friends, this is a must-read to ensure a flawless getaway. 38 The Dutch Daily IPL METHODE 40 Let’s Go Tripping, Ladies! 42 Southern Vietnam and Cambodia Book your free intake online at, 45 Travel Insurance 46 Helsinki, Finland. See it Like avedathehague.nl a Native! 48 Announcements Location: 50 Chili Cook-Off Collage Denneweg 56, With a listening and caring team 51 AWC Friendraiser Collage 2514 CH The Hague we strive to be your daymaker ! 52 Classifieds Tel. 070 - 345 8442 42 53 Index of Advertisers www.avedathehague.nl The whole building is powered by solar energy Traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia? One Member’s suggestions to make planning 53 Advertising Rates easy. 54 Proost! Questionnaire

MARCH 2018 3 Editor Suzanne MacNeil 2017-2018 AWC Officers Committee Chairs

Design and Layout Activities Dena Haggerty Teresa Mahoney Honorary President Diane Hoekstra Archivist Ellen Bolick President Dena Haggerty Cover Photo Assistant Treasurer Teresa Insalaco View from the Dutch Ministry of the Interior [email protected] in May 2017 by Melissa White At Home in Open Vice President Dena Haggerty Advertising Invoicing Board Advisor Jessie Rodell @ Open awcthehague.firstvp gmail.com Caring Committee Naomi Keip AWC Clubhouse Photography Treasurer Melissa White Chat, Craft & Cake Suzanne Dundas Johan van Oldenbarneveltlaan 43 Atlantic Campaigns, Beacon Global Group, [email protected] Community Service Team Open 2582 NJ Den Haag Suzanne Dundas, Greetje Engelsman, Dena Tel: 070 350 6007 eNews Amber Gatewood Haggerty, Iamexpat.com, ideas.wiki.com, Secretary Mallery van der Horst New Body Osteopathy, Suzanne MacNeil, [email protected] [email protected] FAWCO Julie Mowat www.awcthehague.org Rebecca Niles-Pourier, Ginnie Rempt, Dory Ritchie, Jan Sluijter, SoilCares, Soppe.nl, Heart Pillow Jan de Vries AnnaLena Thuren-Vogel, Trip Advisor, Club and Community Development Holiday Bazaar Open Chelsea Wald, Melissa White Laurie Brooks Going Dutch Magazine [email protected] Library Ellen Bolick Proofreaders [email protected] Membership Coordinator Melissa Rider Ellen Bolick, Celeste Brown, Donna Cleland, Jane Gulde, Diane Schaap, Debbie van Hees Clubhouse Administrator Newcomer Activities Holly Savoie Dominique Duysens Parliamentarian Georgia Regnault Clubhouse Hours Contributors [email protected] Tuesday and Thursday Jane Choy, Suzanne Dundas, Jan Essad, Programs Open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Greetje Engelsman, Dena Haggerty, Eileen Communications Teresa Mahoney Public Relations open Monday, Wednesday and Friday Closed Harloff, Julie Mowat, Mary Ann Nation- [email protected] Greenwall, Rebecca Niles-Pourier, Ginnie Social Media Coordinator Ginny Mees Rempt, Melissa Rider, Jessie Rodell, Social Media Recruitment Ceci Wong Dues (Effective 2017-2018) AnnaLena Thuren-Vogel, Chelsea Wald, Tennis Molly Boed € 110 per year (€ 66 after January 1) Melissa White The Arts Jane Choy € 90 business, professional Front Office € 55 valid US military ID Printer Tours Open www.dwcprint.nl € 35 student Volunteer Coordinator € 35 Outside the Netherlands (Going Siska Datema-Kool, Dominique Duysens, AWC Bank Account Number Laurie Martecchini Dutch magazine not included) IBAN: NL42ABNA0431421757 Amber Gatewood, Paula Looijmans, Webmaster Julie Otten Add € 15 new member registration fee KvK Den Haag 40409274 Melissa Rider, Holly Savoie, Chelsea Wald Women with Dutch Partners Open

Deadlines: Submissions are due no later than the last Monday of the month preceding the publication month. For example, for the May/June issue, submissions are due before Monday, March 26 AWC Mission Statement The AWC is an association formed to provide social and educational activities for American Please Note: Articles submitted to Going Dutch will be published subject to space limitations and editorial ap- proval. All rights reserved; reprints only by written permission of the Editor. Please email to: goingdutchmag@ women living in the Netherlands and to promote amicable relations among people of all na- gmail.com tions, as well as acquiring funds for general public interest. Membership in the club is open Legal Notice: Articles in Going Dutch express the views and opinions of their authors alone, and not necessar- to women of all nations who are friendly and welcoming to American culture. The associa- ily those of the AWC of The Hague, its Members or this publication. tion does not endeavor to make a profit. The AWC is a 100% volunteer organization.

4 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 5 Winter Activities

Out to Lunch Bunch

Dutch Products Class

Women with Dutch Partners

Art Deco Tour Gemeentemuseum

Walkie Talkies Message from the President March General Meeting by Dena Haggerty by Suzanne MacNeil s I write this message, I’m prepar- found my Please join us for this month’s General Thursday, March 8 ing for the going-away party for way back. Meeting Thursday, March 8 with a guest to Coffee: 10 a.m. Aour President Mary Ann Nation- Obviously, be revealed. The speaker will discuss the Meeting: 10:30 Greenwall. Although Mary Ann and her hus- my former Holocaust and Yom Hashoah, the day to re- AWC Clubhouse band, John, thought they’d be back in the U.S. attitude was member the Holocaust. FREE by February 1, a medical emergency is keep- more than ing them in the Netherlands a few months a bit naïve. longer. John traveled to Austria with his work In our crazy colleagues for a going-away ski weekend, expat lives, but fell on the slopes, broke his leg, and had there is no surgery in mid-January. Although Mary Ann guarantee is no longer President, and although John is how long we recovering frm major surgery, we’re glad will stay in that she’s still in town, at least until John’s one place. doctors release him to travel. Sadly, though, Sue Merrick, once the AWC Vice President, But moving away isn’t the only reason a and our now-former Membership Coordinator friendship may weaken or even end. No mat- Shirley Newlin, have repatriated to the U.S. ter what we tell ourselves, there’s no promise a friend will remain your best friend forever. As the American Women’s Club of Life is constantly evolving and circumstances The Hague is an expat organization, new changing which can cause a friendship to Members are continually joining, while oth- fade. A new job, a new baby, a new romantic ers frequently leave. Saying goodbye to good relationship – any one of these can cause you friends is unfortunately a constant compan- to lose touch with a friend. Thus, friends come ion of expat life. Recently, several Members and go in our lives. have expressed their exasperation with the endless cycle of making new friends to fill Just because a person is only in your life Mimosa Morning and Borrel Evening the void left by departure after departure of for a short amount of time, though, doesn’t good friends. mean she can’t have a profound impact on you. I can elucidate numerous examples in I used to agree with that sentiment. In which my life has been touched by a friend- fact, when I first arrived in the Netherlands, ship which didn’t last as long as I had per- I thought I had found my permanent home haps hoped. Take Mary Ann, for example. and didn’t attempt to make friends with those Although she arrived in the country two years expats whose postings in the Netherlands ago, we only became friends this past spring. were expected to last less than two years. I Had I adhered to my earlier policy of not mak- knew of many other ‘perma- ing friends with anyone leaving the country nent’ expats who felt within two years, I would never have had the same. Of course, the chance to become friends with her. And seven years after wouldn’t that have been a shame! arriving in the Netherlands, I won’t deny that it’s sad, and more than a I ended up bit upsetting, to see people leave the country leaving for before I’m ready to let go. But we live in a Germany and time in which we have numerous means of then Istanbul. It staying in touch. Love or hate social media, was only after 10 it can’t be denied that we have more con- years that I finally tact with ‘old’ friends than ever before. >>51 8 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 9 Letter from the Editor by Suzanne MacNeil t may only be March, but it’s not too early moved from to start thinking about summer holidays. Siberia. Her IThe travel stories in this edition of Going suggestions Dutch may help with your planning. The included lined AWC is made up of well-traveled Members, leather mit- many of whom are more than happy to share tens and no their travel tips and it’s a shame not to take wool sweat- advantage of this pool of knowledge. I hope ers because their suggestions and stories will spark a few all buildings ideas. Travelogue stories begin on page 40. are well-heat- ed, and I’d If Russia is on your travel bucket list, I be miserable. highly recommend it! Tim and I were married Those simple in November 2012. To celebrate our five- suggestions year anniversary, our birthdays, Hanukkah, helped me Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, we decided stay warm to visit St. Petersburg and Moscow. I knew outside and planning this getaway would require a bit of comfortable Dormition Church in the help and when I saw Charles and Iain of the inside. Kremlin American Travel Center (ATC) at the AWC’s Holiday Bazaar, I asked a lot of questions This spring, I’m traveling to Copenhagen about everything from the visas we’d need to to meet my younger son who is flying in from get into Russia, to booking tours. Tim agreed the U.S. We’re spending a few days in the city that this trip needed an extra set of eyes and, before going to Paris, and my source for the other than our flights, we turned all planning Copenhagen leg is one of the AWC’s newest and booking over to Charles and Iain. members, Lindsey Turnau, with whom I connected on Two Fat Expats. She had posted With the trip in the very capable hands of that her family was moving from Copenhagen the ATC, I then stressed about staying warm. to the area and wanted information I needed suggestions about what to wear in about the city. We started private messag- Russia in the winter and turned to a great ing, then chatting by phone, and eventually source, the Facebook page Two Fat Expats. her family settled in Voorburg. I had lunch Less than two hours after posting my concerns recently with Lindsey and she gave me an about clothes I had replies, including one insider’s view of Copenhagen. I can’t wait from an American expat who had recently to enjoy this new-to-us city. Our Club is composed of many well- traveled Members who are an invaluable re- source that can’t be matched by travel sites or books. Post your travel questions on the AWC Facebook page and take advantage of this insider information to make your plan- ning even easier. Tot ziens, Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg Suzanne 10 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 11 Membership AWC’s New Honorary President by Melissa Rider by Jessie Rodell

picked the perfect AWC event to begin s is customary, the AWC has extended my new role as Membership Coordinator: an invitation to the wife of the new I Mimosa Morning Mixer and Evening AU.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Borrel. It was a fun way to mingle with new, to serve as our Honorary President. Diane old, and prospective members, many of whom Hoekstra, wife of Ambassador Peter joined after this event. Finally, many thanks Hoekstra, accepted the invitation at a lun- to Shirley Newlin for handling this job for cheon hosted by Sabine Crowley, the wife the past 2+ years along with being a Front of Sean Crowley, the Chargé d’Affaires, and Desk volunteer. While I know she is excited attended by several AWC Board Members. to return to her family in Texas, she will be Sabine served as the Honorary President the missed for both her volunteer work and her last year and a half. Mrs. Hoekstra met Laurie friendship at the Club. Brooks, Teresa Mahoney, Melissa White, and Jessie Rodell, who each explained the Club’s mission and shared information about Some AWC Board Members met with our ongoing events and activities. As one of Diane Hoekstra and Sabine Crowley. Support Fellow AWC Members the Board Members said, “It was a lovely Find links to a large variety of businesses owned by AWC Members at afternoon and I really enjoyed it.” A sincere www.awcthehague.org/site/newcomers/business-links thank you to Sabine for lunch and a nice way to meet Diane. We hope she will enjoy the AWC.

March Birthdays Welcome New Members!

Georgia Regnault 4 Roberta Bradford Cathleen Owens 6 Donna Brown Amber Gatewood 12 Unique products Rachel Swick 12 Tama Carstensen Mary Adams 13 for entrepreneurs Jan Mills 15 Audrey Goodman Shirin Kianmanesh Rad-Hashemi 17 Kathryn Cok 20 Machelle Hollar Brooks Turner 20 1061246 Mary Jo Willemsen 20 Anna Rothman Hannah Dean 21 Sligro The Hague Forepark is the perfect fit for you as entrepreneur. Lindsey Turnau Sarah Dunn 24 We inspire and support you with our products and services, that will Jaimie Keppel-Molenaar 26 help you with your business. Our people are always there for you Hilde Volle with professional and tailored advice. Pamela Pruijs-Bott 26 sligro.nl Marilyn Tinsay 31 Elizabeth Zeller Linge 2, The Hague

12 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 13 Evening Book Club beautiful daughter who convinces Epstein Good Reads review to become involved in her own project— Forest Dark by Nicole a film about the life of David being shot Ongoing Activities Krauss is described as in the desert—with life-changing conse- bursting with life and hu- quences. The AWC Book Clubs are open to all readers, of feeling, and its unflinching drama, The mor. Jules Epstein, a man and new Members are especially welcome! Wasted Vigil is a luminous work of fiction. whose drive, avidity, and But Epstein isn’t the only seeker embark- There’s no requirement that you must attend Thursday, March 22 outsized personality have, ing on a metaphysical journey that dis- every meeting or lead a discussion. Snacks 10 a.m. for 68 years, been a force solves his sense of self, place, and history. are provided by a different member each AWC Clubhouse to be reckoned with, is un- Leaving her family in Brooklyn, a young, month. There are two Book Clubs hosted by FREE dergoing a metamorphosis. well-known novelist arrives at the Tel Aviv AWC Members–one in the daytime and one In the wake of his parents’ deaths, his di- Hilton where she has stayed every year in the evening. Questions? Teresa Mahoney Daytime Book Club Recap vorce from his wife of more than 30 years, since birth. Troubled by writer’s block and organizes the daytime group, and Rebecca The December Daytime Book Club se- and his retirement from the New York legal a failing marriage, she hopes that the ho- Fry handles the evening meetings. For lection was Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth firm where he was a partner, he’s felt an tel can unlock a dimension of reality—and more information, please contact them at Strout. “The mass of men lead lives of irresistible need to give away his posses- her own perception of life—that has been [email protected]. Happy quiet desperation.” (Henry David Thoreau, sions, alarming his children and perplex- closed off to her. But when she meets a re- reading! famous Massachusettsan. Not Maine, but ing the executor of his estate. With the last tired literature professor who proposes a close enough.) of his wealth, he travels to Israel, with a project she can’t turn down, she’s drawn Daytime Book Club nebulous plan to do something to honor his into a mystery that alters her life in ways Good Reads Review Crosby, Maine is an idyllic seaside town parents. In Tel Aviv, he is sidetracked by she could never have imagined. Nadeem Aslam, the author inhabited by salt-of-the-earth teachers, a charismatic American rabbi planning a Wednesday, March 21 of Maps for Lost Lovers pharmacists, housewives, doctors, etc.— reunion for the descendants of King David 7:30 p.m. gives us a new novel—at each of whom lives a life of quiet, most- who insists that Epstein is part of that sto- AWC Clubhouse once lyrical and blister- ly secret, desperation. It is the setting for ried dynastic line. He also meets the rabbi’s FREE >> 16 ing—about war in our Elizabeth Strout’s “novel in stories,” Olive time, told through the Kitteridge, winner of the 2009 Pulitzer lives of five people who Prize. Each chapter is a short story about come together in post-9/11 a local character who, sometimes tena- Afghanistan. The Wasted ciously, sometimes peripherally, is con- Vigil is the story of Marcus, nected to retired math teacher Kitteridge, an English doctor whose progressive, out- an almost-curmudgeon full of vinegary spoken Afghani wife was murdered by the kindness. Strout can take a tiny detail–a Taliban, who opens his home—itself an long-ago boyfriend showing up at a bar, for eerily beautiful monument to his losses— instance–and use it as a catalyst to weave to the others: Lara, from St. Petersburg, a haunting tale of a damaged pianist, her looking for evidence of her soldier brother whoring, toxic mother, and her cruel lover. who disappeared decades before during the Strout turns the mundane into magic with Soviet invasion; David, an American, a for- exquisite, but not overdone, prose and a mer spy who has seen his ideals turned in- masterful “shows us, doesn’t tell us” style. side out during his 25 years in Afghanistan; This book aches with the realism of both Casa, a young Afghani whose hatred of the unhappiness and hope. We highly recom- West plunges him into the depths of zealot- mend it. Exchanging Books at Our Annual Book Club Potluck ry; and James, the Special Forces soldier in whom David sees a dangerous revival of the unquestioning notions of right and wrong Daytime Book Club Reading List: that he himself once held. In mesmerizing AWC Guest Policy Thursday, April 26: My Absolute Darling by prose, Nadeem Aslam reveals the complex Guests are welcome to participate in AWC activities and tours on a limited basis. ties—of love and desperation, pain and sal- Gabriel Tallent vation, madness and clarity—that bind the As a nonmember, a guest is limited to attend two functions per calendar year characters. And through their stories he cre- Thursday, May 24: Notes on a Foreign Country: and will be charged an additional nonmember fee. Only Members are entitled to ates a timely and achingly intimate portrait An American Abroad in a Post-American World use babysitting services. of the “continuation of wars” that shapes our world. In its radiant language, its depth by Suzy Hansen

14 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 15 [email protected] or (070) 213 9222. dered per round by filling in a form, but keep Monday, March 5 in mind that you will be charged € 2.50 per Location TBD dish for any unfinished food. Ongoing Activities (cont.) Tickets at own cost If you have a favorite restaurant in your Continued from page 15 neighborhood you’d like to share with the Out to Lunch Bunch group, or if you have questions, please Evening Book Club Recap is not available, so we can’t accommodate Join us for lunch at dim sum and hot pot contact Greetje Engelsman at greetje. My Absolute Darling, Gabriel Talent’s debut children. Questions? Please contact Suzanne restaurant Full Moon City where we will [email protected]. novel has made the rounds of book award Dundas at [email protected]. experience an authentic Cantonese shared Tuesday, March 6 lists and been hyped to the hills. One well Tuesdays lunch, ideal for people who want to taste and 12:15 p.m. known commercially successful author even 10 a.m. – Noon share different dishes. For the fixed price of ​Full Moon City is located in Chinatown declared it a “masterpiece.” We can’t agree AWC Clubhouse € 19.50, we can enjoy unlimited amounts of behind Media Markt with the laudations. True, the book is com- FREE more than 100 types of dim sum, wok, BBQ Achter Raamstraat 75, Den Haag pelling and clever, though predictable and and hot pot dishes. Drinks are not included. A www.groupspaces.com/AWCTheHague/ heavily reliant on shock value. Ultimately, Heart Pillow Project maximum of five items per person can be or- item/1157812 >> 18 none of the characters is at all credible, the This Club year marks the tenth year that story doesn’t hang together, and the author’s Members work together at the Clubhouse Upcoming Out to Lunch Bunch Dates pretentious dialogue from the mouths of to make heart-shaped pillows designed to teenage characters grates. Those looking for help support the arms of recent mastectomy and Locations: a novel with themes of incest and horrific patients. Each Monday, April 16: La Cantina child abuse won’t suffer for choice of far pillow is made better novels than this one. We don’t recom- with TLC, Strandpaviljoen, mend My Absolute Darling. wrapped, and Thursday, May 24: Restaurant Oogst, comes with a Denneweg 10 B, Den Haag Evening Book Club Reading List: note signed by an Wednesday, April 18: Sapiens by Yoval Noah AWC volunteer. Harari No sewing skills are needed, and Wednesday, May 16: The Fisherman by you can cut, Chigozie Obioma stuff, or wrap Wednesday, June 13: Miss Burma by the heart pillows. Charmaine Craig We are proud to provide women Chat, Crafts & Cake and men with something both practical and Are you a crafter? The AWC has space large comforting, and we know our work helps BEAUTY Get your skin ready! enough to spread out a king-sized quilt, a spot because we often receive thank-you notes to organize a scrapbook or photo album, or and emails from patients who received a heart just to sit and chat while you work on a proj- pillow. For more information, please contact Collagen Light Therapy ect. Chat, Crafts Jan de Vries at awcthehague.heartpillow@ & Cake members gmail.com. Direct results • Soft and supple skin • Moisture welcome you to join Tuesday, March 13 in the skin is improved • More light intensity the group, maybe Noon – 2 p.m. for the skin • Finer pores and better skin image pick up a few tips, AWC Clubhouse • Relaxation and good health and get ideas and FREE suggestions about Visitors Welcome Long-term results • The connective tissue is filled your project from with collagen, elastin and hyaluron • Reduction a fresh set of eyes. Ladies Night at the Movies Visit us at our of wrinkles in the face and decolleté • Age and Each week a dif- Who doesn’t like going to the movies with ferent Member friends and a bucket of popcorn! The first City Spa & Beauty Store pigment spots reduced will bring a cake Monday of the month marks Ladies Night made from a never- at the Movies and the film is chosen based Antonie Heinsiusstraat 60 T 06 - 511 376 56 www.aspadirect.nl before-tried recipe on what’s playing at area theaters. Rebecca 2582 VV Den Haag T 070 - 345 02 15 for tasting and cri- Fry coordinates each month’s outing. For [email protected] tiques. Babysitting more information, please contact her at fry_

16 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 17 Thursday, March 1 racking up 10,000 steps along the way. Sign 9 – 11 a.m. up on GroupSpaces to receive email updates FREE or contact Emily van Eerten at vaneerten@ Ongoing Activities (cont.) gmail.com or Greetje Engelsman at Continued from page 17 Walkie Talkies [email protected]. Whether you count your steps or just want Mondays Thirsty Thursdays Our March location is Brody’s American to walk with friends, the Monday morning 9:30 a.m. Need a night to sip cocktails? Thirsty Taphouse, which specializes in at least 25 Walkie Talkies is a fun and healthy way to FREE Thursdays is one of our AWC’s most popu- craft beers from American microbreweries. start the week. The group meets in front of AWC Clubhouse lar activities. It’s a casual, no-stress get- Thursday, March 15 the Clubhouse before heading out to walk together in the evening with AWC friends. Brody’s American Taphouse to various destinations in the area, usually We meet on the third or fourth Thursday of Korte Molenstraat 2, 2513 BM, Den each month and there’s no need to RSVP. Haag 6 – 9 p.m. Wassenaar Coffee & Conversation If you live in or around Wassenaar, join your neighbors for a once-a-month morning gathering without going to the Clubhouse. One Member living north of The Hague will host a casual coffee at her home on the first Thursday of the month for Members and prospective Members. Suzanne Dundas coordinates the meeting place with each hostess, and will send directions once you sign up on GroupSpaces.

18 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 19 about managing finances as American ex- One-of-a-Kind Activities pats and issues that challenge Americans living abroad. Beacon Global Group spe- by Dena Haggerty cializes in helping American expats sort through the weeds of the Foreign Account RSVP directly on AWC GroupSpaces.com. Direct any questions to Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which was [email protected]. enacted in 2010. The IRS website states, Payment must be made within 5 calendar days of reserving or your name will be moved to “The Foreign Account Tax Compliance a waitlist. Payment can be made in the Front Office by PIN or by bank transfer to the AWC Act (FATCA), which was passed as part account NL42ABNA0431421757. of the HIRE Act, generally requires that foreign financial institutions and certain (restaurant to be determined). We will also other non-financial foreign entities report Dutch National Soccer League The stadium is located approximately 15 explore the Gouda Town Hall and watch the on the foreign assets held by their U.S. ac- Game minutes’ walk from the Den Haag Ypenburg carillon with the mechanical puppets, which count holders or be subject to withholding Come join us for a fun family outing and train station. For those who so desire, we’ll were added in 1961. on withholdable payments. The HIRE Act watch some Dutch soccer (aka voetbal). We meet at Den Haag Centraal Station and trav- also contained legislation requiring U.S. will be attending a match between ADO el together. The entire family is welcome. We can travel there together and buddy up persons to report, depending on the value, Den Haag (the local Hague team) and NAC Saturday, March 10 to take advantage of NS discount cards. their foreign financial accounts and foreign Breda for the price of just € 14 per person. 6:30 – 10 p.m. Meet at Starbucks at Den Haag Centraal at assets.” Numerous topics will be covered Don’t miss the chance to attend a genuine Haags Kwartier 55, Den Haag 9 a.m. to catch the train, which will get us to during the discussion: U.S. FATCA com- European sports event! € 14 per person Gouda in about 20 minutes. pliant investment strategies, portfolio man- Wednesday, March 14 agement, protection planning, wealth man- Gouda – Not Just Cheese! Meet at Starbucks at DHCS at 9 a.m. agement, estate planning, mortgages, and When most people think of Gouda, they Return at approximately 3:30 p.m. cross-border retirement planning. think of cheese! But, did you know that € 5 Members for Tour PLUS € 6 Entrance Tuesday, March 20 it is also home to the Sint Janskerk, one (free with Museumkaart) 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. of the Netherland’s UNESCO Top 100 www.groupspaces.com/AWCTheHague/ AWC Clubhouse monuments? This amazing church is item/1157311 Free home to 72 world-famous, stained-glass windows. Join us for a one-hour guided tour Wealth Management Strategies of the Sint Janskerk to learn the story behind A Financial Awareness Seminar for the famous Gouda glass. After the tour, feel Americans and U.S. Connected Persons free to join us for lunch at your own expense Join us at the Clubhouse for a discussion

Cancellation Policy Members may reserve a spot for an AWC tour, activity or event in advance. Payment is required within five business days of the reservation or before the deadline date (which- ever is sooner) otherwise your name will be moved to a wait- AWC Members, please list. It is the responsibility of the Member to notify the Club at connect with us on [email protected] to cancel a reservation LinkedIn https:// prior to the cancellation deadline. Please note that there will nl.linkedin.com/in/ be NO REFUNDS (no exceptions) after the cancellation dead- awcthehague line. Members may find a substitute in lieu of cancellation provided that arrangements are made with the tour, activ- ity or event organizer. Members shall be held responsible for their guest reservations in accordance with this policy.

20 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 21 January Thirsty Thursday and Mary Ann’s Going Away Party Thursday, April 5, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Session 4: Mirrors of Reality! AWC and the Arts Landscape Painting by Jane Choy, AWC Member and Mauritshuis Docent The development of landscape painting in Holland must be counted among one of the most prominent contributions to the his- The Girl in the Spotlight tory of European art. In fact, the Dutch are by Melissa White and Jane Choy considered to have started the naturalistic Not only is the Girl with a Pearl Earring RSVP for all Arts Activities directly on landscape style. Johannes Vermeer’s most famous paint- AWC GroupSpaces.com ing, but it is one of the world’s most be- Direct any questions to [email protected] Thursday, April 26, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. loved. Have you ever wondered how Session 5: Objects of Desire! Vermeer painted this iconic painting? AWC Holland’s Golden Age Revealed! Still Life and Architectural Painting Members and friends have a unique oppor- Introduction to the Art of Seventeenth These two specialties of Dutch 17th cen- tunity to attend a private lecture to learn scientists and researchers, Abbie will examine the painting in front of the Century Holland tury art with their attention to the represen- more about the Mauritshuis’ most famous by Jane Choy, AWC Member and tation of different textures and illusionism painting when curator Lea van der Vinde public to learn about the materials and are some of the most admired works of this will present about The Girl, the painting’s techniques that Vermeer used to paint The Mauritshuis Docent Girl in approximately 1665. Where did ***Please note that dates have changed period. Showing the originality of Dutch history and its importance. Restorer and for the three remaining sessions painters, we will also explore the symbol- Conservator Abbie Vandivere will speak the lapis lazuli used to paint the blue ism and the ability of art to triumph over about the technical examination of The turban come from? How did bugs from a nature. Girl that is taking place at the Mauritshuis. cactus in Mexico end up on the painting? AWC Member and Mauritshuis docent, What lies beneath the surface? These and Jane Choy, will continue her five-part other secrets will be revealed. Please plan lecture series this month about the Golden Please sign up on GroupSpaces. For more The Golden Room of the Mauritshuis Age of Dutch art, in her 17th century home information, please contact Jane Choy, has been transformed into a laboratory, on visiting the Golden Room before the [email protected] or 070 387 2606. and along with an international team of lecture. The museum is open until 8 p.m. in Voorburg. The Golden Age was a pe- and the Brasserie is open until 8:30 p.m. riod in Dutch history, roughly spanning the 17th century, in which the Dutch were Parking is free in the neighborhood al- Some Members may remember that Abbie a major world power and leaders in trade though it is a blue zone with two-hour limit. SOLD OUTgave a presentation at the AWC about art and science, and also in art. The paintings Accessible by public transportation: Bus conservation in 2010. Now she is the head produced by Dutch artists are considered 23, 46 or 45 or the sprinter train from Den of this research project and has helped to some of the greatest works of art in the Haag Centraal. arrange this special lecture for us and the world. This series of lectures will not only Jane Choy’s home in Voorburg alumni from Princeton, her alma mater. introduce you to the art of this dynamic pe- € 15 per lecture riod but will also explain the history and (€ 20 for nonmembers) Please keep in mind that the price paid to culture that brought this art to fruition and Tea, coffee, and snacks will be served the AWC is only for entrance to the lecture give us a deeper understanding of the coun- RSVP on GroupSpaces itself and that you will still be responsible try in which we now live. Jane has already for the entrance fee to the museum. If you covered Intimacies and Intrigues-History do not have a Museumkaart, please order Painting and Who’s Who? Portrait your entrance ticket online in advance at Painting. www.mauritshuis.nl/en/ticketshop/tickets/ selecteer/. Thursday, March 29, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8 Session 3: Reality Show or Illusion! Visit Technical Examination Genre Painting Laboratory: 5:45 – 6:15 p.m. Genre paintings refer to scenes of everyday Lecture: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. life, a sort of tableau vivant and are prob- Nassauzaal ably one of the most popular categories of Mauritshuis, Plein 29, Den Haag Dutch 17th century art. In this lecture, we € 12.50 Members or Spouses (€ 17.50 will also learn that there is much more to nonmembers) the eye than just a scene of everyday life. PLUS Symbolic meanings, double entendres and € 15.50 for museum entrance (free with moral messages were included in these

Photo: Ivo Hoekstra, Mauritshuis Hoekstra, Ivo Photo: Museumkaart) seemingly innocent compositions.

24 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 25 Shirley and Sue’s Going Away Party

AWC February Activities

MARCH 2018 27 March 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 Wassenaar Coffee and Conversation 9 a.m. Save the Dates! May 17: AWC Board Installation AWC Board Meeting 10 a.m. June 2: Summer Beach Barbeque Benefit June 14: Volunteer and Honorary Member Luncheon Holland’s Golden Age Revealed! 7:30 p.m.

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Walkie Talkies 9:30 a.m Chat, Crafts & Cake 10 a.m. Coffee 10 a.m. March General Meeting Out to Lunch Bunch 10:30 a.m. 12:15 p.m. AWC Tennis 1 p.m. The Girl in the Spotlight Dutch National Soccer Ladies Night at the Movies 5:45 p.m. League Game 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Walkie Talkies 9:30 a.m Chat, Crafts & Cake 10 a.m. Gouda–Not Just Cheese! Buddy Check 12 9 a.m. Heart Pillow Workshop Noon AWC Tennis 1 p.m. Thirsty Thursday 6 p.m.

Alsace Wine Tasting Tour 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Walkie Talkies 9:30 a.m Chat, Crafts & Cake 10 a.m. Intro to FAWCO Target Daytime Book Club 10 a.m. Project: Hope Beyond AWC Tennis 1 p.m. Displacement 10:30 a.m. Financial Awareness Evening Book Club Seminar for Americans 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. FAWCO Interim Meeting >>>

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Walkie Talkies 9:30 a.m Chat, Crafts & Cake 10 a.m. Spring Ahead for Daylight AWC Tennis 1 p.m. Savings Time

Holland’s Golden Age Revealed! 7:30 p.m. <<< FAWCO IM

28 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 29 Heart Pillows Made with Heart by Suzanne MacNeil

or the sixth year, the Heart Pillow Club Club has become very popular,” wrote Helen at the British School of the Netherlands Kirkwood, the CAS Coordinator at the BSN. F(BSN) in Voorschoten has made Heart Their pillows were delivered to the Clubhouse Pillows for our Club to give to mastectomy in February and will be added to those made patients. The Year 12 students (equivalent by our Members for distribution to various to Juniors in American schools) are in the area hospitals. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and are required to do CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) to receive their di- ploma. Teachers and support staff run the club and share their sewing skills with stu- dents. “The Heart Pillow pairing of the British School and the AWC is the brain- child of Olivia Dishongh, whose mother Johanna was AWC President from 2011 to 2013. The Heart Pillow

Did you know that any woman who speaks English is eligible to join the American Women’s Club?

Invite your English-speaking friends, wherever they’re from, to join us today!

30 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 31 players from Wales and Malta I’ve become rhythm of play goes like this for every sin- Scrabble Culture: No Actual Petri friends with over the years. gle move: Lay down word/s “Can you explain the rating system to me, Count score Dish Though There are Germs Mom? What is my rating?” Announce score “No. And you don’t have one.” by Suzanne Dundas Hit clock Take replacement tiles The worldwide rating system for tourna- Add score to previous score “What’s Coventry like, Mom?” ment Scrabble is based on an algorithm that Mark off tiles used “It doesn’t matter. You won’t see any of it.” anyone who’s seen me try to work a new app on my phone will know is completely It takes a long time, about a year, to get that My daughter Arielle (businesswoman, beyond my understanding. It is based on my rhythm down, so Arielle forewent the tile resident, improviser, stand-up win/loss record and the ratings of your op- tracking that allows you to know exactly comedian) decided she would join me for ponents. Simply speaking, if I beat a higher what your opponent has on her last rack. a major Scrabble tournament held the first rated player, my rating goes up. That’s a big disadvantage to her endgame. week in January every year in Coventry, England. Forty-eight games of Scrabble are Some players fret over their ratings’ going Many people are surprised to learn that tour- divided into an Early Bird Tournament of up and down, but Scrabble ratings are es- nament Scrabble is always a two-handed 18 games and the UK Scrabble Open of 30 sentially a tool used to assign players within game. games, held over 5 days. tiered tournament divisions. The placement varies on who else is playing. We had sev- “But the box says you can have two to four “If nothing else, Scrabble culture should give eral elite players and the top player in the players!” me some stand-up material.” world at this tournament, so I landed in the “That’s living room Scrabble,” I say. “Oh, it will, kid. It will.” next-to-the-top division and was the second highest rated player in that division. Arielle, Notice how hard I tried to keep the derision A little history: My first Scrabble tourna- not yet having played enough tournament out of my reply? Having more than two play- ment was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in games, was the lowest player in the bottom ers at any game obliterates the probabilities 1984, two years before Arielle was born. It division. that are a major part of Scrabble. At its high- was a one-day, six-game tournament with a est level, Scrabble is not really a word game. lunch break in the middle. I clearly remem- I was a bit worried about her dealing with It’s a math and strategy game that uses words ber slumping over a tortilla stuffed with the mechanics of play. In tournaments, we to score points. Hence, many elite players cream cheese and jalapenos, moaning that I Tiles are arranged after each game to play only two-person games using a chess come not from the linguistics world, but from was exhausted. “Three more games. I don’t prove they are all there for the start of clock to keep time. Both players keep score. more scientific realms. know if I can make it.” the next game. Each player gets 25 minutes to play all her and Coventry. Or so I’ve been told. Having moves, so each game lasts 50 minutes. Most I’m no scientist. The reasons I play Scrabble I made it. And I’ve gone on to attend, so far, participated in 10 of these tournaments, I’ve players keep track of the tiles played so the are simple. Playing tournament Scrabble is a 33 more years of tournaments in the U.S. never actually been to Coventry. Unlike rare time I’m focused completely on what I and Europe. I’d been a regular club player most players, however, I have stepped out- am doing. I enjoy that complete mental im- but not Arielle. We play at home, and she side after I arrived at the hotel. mersion. And I do like winning, though, shh, participated in a 20-game tournament I di- not enough to spend time using the myriad of rected in October 2015, in The Hague at the The “quality” in Quality Hotel makes no online study aids. AWC Clubhouse, a fine facility, I might add. explicit claims as to what level of quality Those games, and helping me to serve lunch they are referring to, but the price is right. There’s also the thrill of the gorgeous play. at my tournament, were the extent of her And the staff, whom tournament partici- Non-players will never understand the rush tournament experience. pants have gotten to know (“Andy, I’m lov- of playing a triple-triple, an eight-letter word ing the new beard”) are wonderfully helpful that hits both triple word score blocks simul- I figured I’d be scraping her off the floor after and friendly. That, and reconnecting with taneously. BEZIQUE in this position could a major tournament of 48 games. Of course, players from as far away as Australia and score 311 points. For one word. One oppo- I only told her that after she’d booked her Kuala Lumpur, always give the first week in nent this week, a painfully shy 85-year-old flight. The tournament is held in a Quality January a “home for the holidays” feel for Oxford grad played INGatHERS against me. Hotel, which overlooks a huge parking lot My antique chess clock ready to play. We His knowing that word and playing it on both me. And this year, I was proud to introduce use digital clocks at tournaments. separated by a sagging metal fence from the my daughter to everyone, especially the sides of the AT on the board was a thing of motorway between the Birmingham Airport beauty. I oohed and ahhed. >> 34

32 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 33 progresses. I’ve been its victim before but this year I prepared. I got my yearly flu shot Scrabble Culture (cont.) with Coventry in mind and I took, and made Arielle take, zinc tablets the week before. Continued from page 33 I wash my hands thoroughly after every around the parking lot. I never sit down game. I wish everyone washed their hands, between games. Most players move from but they are too busy playing Scrabble on sitting in the playing room to sitting in the their phones and asking, “Where is that draft lobby. That’s too long without mobility and coming from?” fresh air for me and my back. “Mom, seriously? They play Scrabble be- tween games?” Scrabble fetish items and professional “You went outside. You’re just like your “Yes, and in the bar after we’re done for the equipment are available on Facebook mother,” said the tournament director to day.” from @TheTileFairy. Arielle. That made me proud. Not us. We were asleep. Arielle found doing 100 jumping jacks out- to tournaments, but I doubt she’ll have the side between games helped her mental and I did reasonably well at this tournament, time. physical state immensely. For this, she was easily winning my division in The Early gently mocked by the world’s greatest play- Bird and finishing in the middle of the pack How about you? If you’ve read this far, you er, the wildly-bearded, taciturn, and eccen- for the main event. Arielle won five out of may have a latent interest in Scrabble I am tric Nigel Richards. She plans to incorpo- the 48 games she played. Most important willing to help you nourish. Contact me and rate this mocking her for exercising into her and a little surprisingly, she’s hooked. She we’ll play. But not during the first week of stand-up act. She got off easy. Nigel once really enjoyed herself and just today texted January 2019. I’m already looking forward told me I had no charisma. And he wasn’t me to ask if “relove” is a good word. (It’s to my next UK Scrabble Open. “Someplace pointing out I had no C, H or M on my tile not.) Alas, she’s a busy woman. I would en- in the general vicinity of Coventry, here I A game played on my custom-made rack. I asked him who in Scrabble does have joy nothing more for her to accompany me come!” revolving board. charisma, and he said, “No one.” I also enjoy moving and breathing. There’s a yearly cold war over room tem- SAVE THE DATE! perature and fresh air. I, and a few hardy A typical Scrabble day of 11 games can start souls, like fresh air but many Brits are ter- We’re planning an AWC Summer with the first game beginning at 8:30 a.m. rified–terrified!–of “sitting in a draft”. Put Beach Barbeque Benefit at and the last starting at 10 p.m., with a short 70 people in an old conference room, which Strandpaviljoen Sport on the break for lunch and a longer break for a com- is shabbily carpeted and reeking of clean- Wassenaar beach to raise funds for munal dinner. The conversation revolves ing supplies, and you have a room smell that Perspektief, a nonprofit that helps around Scrabble and, unfortunately this year, “stale” doesn’t begin to convey. I have giv- women and families in need (www. politics. But for me, once a game is over, it’s en up arguing about this and just leave doors perspektief.nu). The evening in- over, and I don’t like to engage in the endless to the outside open when I go out, coatless. cludes an all-you-can eat barbeque post-mortems some players do. That may Others close them. I wear light clothing and as well as unlimited wine and beer be one reason I’ll never be an elite player. I survive. before 10:30 p.m. Tickets are just Fortunately, I can occupy myself figuring out € 60 and 25% of that will benefit what dessert will be. What is a jam roly-poly? During a game, the room is mostly silent Perspektief, along with the proceeds What is Eton mess? What is a lemon posset? save for scores being announced and the from the evening’s silent auction. rattle of 100 tiles in their cloth bag. It’s Don’t miss this fun night for a cause! It’s not easy to play two more games after not as dangerous as a snake’s rattle, but Saturday, June 2 a three-course dinner. Unlike many players, that rattle is a dangerous sound nonethe- 5 p.m. – midnight I don’t drink at dinner, and I also encour- less. I reach into this bag for my tiles after Strandpaviljoen Sport aged Arielle not to indulge. Each night, we every turn, but so does everyone else. Our Wassenaarseslag 29, Wassenaar split one mystery dessert between us so we equipment stays put, and we move from € 60 plus the cost of any awesome wouldn’t be playing on full stomachs. table to table for each game. It’s winter and silent auction item you bid on and there are germs and those germs bring the win! To make it through such a strenuous sched- “Coventry Cough.” You can actually hear it Dress code: Beach Dressy ule, I always do yoga or go for a short walk getting worse day by day as the tournament

34 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 35 Women’s History Month Let me know if you are interested. If you do This month is Women’s History Month participate, please send me your photos. jj- FAWCO Corner which corresponds with International [email protected]. by Julie Mowat Women’s Day. One way to mark the day is to take part in the Join Me on the Bridge FAWCO Friendship Quilt gathering on Thursday, March 8 at a bridge The FAWCO Friendship quilt is finished and in your community as a symbol of support will be raffled off during the Interim Meeting Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, a United Nations NGO with for peace and women’s human rights. This in The Hague on March 23-25. Several of consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council campaign started in 2010 when women from our Members made squares for the quilt, . neighboring warring countries, Rwanda and along with members of sister clubs. Tickets www.fawco.org the Democratic Republic of the Congo, came are available for the raffle, whether or not together in a plea for peace on a crossing that you attend the meeting. Please contact me at joined the two countries. If you don’t have a [email protected] to buy a raffle ticket. The bridge nearby, you can create a virtual bridge. Letter from Suzanne Wheeler, the FAWCO kind for FAWCO money raised will be used for Educational Foundation President: with hopes that Awards and Development Grants. it will not only Dearest Ladies, be enlightening Please accept our thanks for the gen- for the guests erous donation of $4,417.26 towards but also for AWC a Development Grant for 2018. This members at sister Development Grant, Creating Better clubs. I am happy Futures, allows clubs to nominate their that AWC Member Celeste Brown will be charity in pursuit of support for their joining me and we plan to share the results passion, their project. Your contribution of the trip. provides the means for The Foundation to help others in that pursuit. Hope Beyond Displacement–An Introduction We are proud of our programs and the FAWCO’s Hope Beyond Displacement is good work that they accomplish. And a major initiative and grassroots effort to we are most grateful for the contribu- help refugees and other victims of war and tions The Foundation receives from conflict. To date, FAWCO donations have FAWCO Clubs, FAUSA and their members. helped fund 100 girls in school each year Together, with the ongoing support and 120 girls in the SuperGirls after-school provided by you, we are improving the enrichment program, women’s vocational lives of women and girls throughout the training and women’s leadership training world. Once again, please accept our sin- in Jordan. Hope Beyond Displacement, an cere thanks for your continued support. initiative of the Collateral Repair Project, Warmest regards, is designed to address the pressing issues identified in close consultation with the Suzanne Wheeler women they serve; to build better futures 2017-19 Board President president@ through education, vocational and leader- fawcofoundation.org ship training for refugee women and girls The FAWCO Foundation in Jordan. They operate numerous pro- www.fawcofoundation.org grams focusing on community building, education and emergency aid. Join proj- FAWCO Target Project–Hope ect applicant Therese Hartwell, FAUSA Beyond Displacement Trip to resident and human rights team chair, for Jordan coffee and muffins to learn more about the I am helping to plan a trip to Jordan for FAWCO target project. 21 FAWCO members in early April to visit Wednesday, March 21 FAWCO’s Target Project, Hope Beyond 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Displacement. This trip filled quickly with Clubhouse several on the waitlist. It is the first of its Free

36 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 37 mentation with cultivation on sea water and by crowd-funding out of , will be avail- dry ground. This month is the opening of able in July. It was recently presented to a The Dutch Daily the World Horti Center in , an world audience at a start-up exhibition in by Eileen Harloff international platform where research, edu- Las Vegas. This pillow reminded me of the cation, and business can come together. Its rather long bolsters that were popular in the website states it “wants to play a leading former Dutch East Indies that were consid- One Man in a Rowboat next challenge: the Golden Globe solo race role in providing solutions to relevant so- ered to keep the sleeper in hot weather, A remarkable trip was made in the past two around the world without modern technol- cial issues such as water, food supply, food or warm in cool weather and were familiarly months by Mark Slats, a 40-year-old build- ogy. In the meantime, his mother and other safety, well-being, and sustainability”. called “Dutch wives”. Will Somnox become ing contractor from Wassenaar. Always up family members, as well as the municipal- as popular as the goeling, a cylindrical pil- for a challenge, Slats decided to row solo in ity of Wassenaar, have given him a well de- The growers are also aided by the world- low that you press your body against when his boat, Peanuts, from La Gomera, Canary served welcome home. renowned research agrarian center at the you sleep on your side? Islands, to Antigua in the West Indies. He University of Wageningen. Some of its re- reckoned that it would take him around 40 Food for Thought search includes the growing of seaweed Asylum Seekers days, but to his and everyone else’s surprise The world’s population continues to expand. along the Scheveningen coastline, which is In 2017, 31,327 people requested asylum in and delight, he reached his goal, thanks to a There are ever more mouths to feed, but less progressing and there are seven companies the Netherlands. Two hundred fifty-six were favorable wind, in 30 days and 7 3/4 hours, land available for producing it. Where will undertaking various forms of seaweed culti- from Cuba, which previously had not been thereby setting a new world record. He it all end? One answer is being offered by vation. Since 2016, the Netherlands has been in the asylum picture. Most of the asylum rowed for his mother, who is currently bat- the Dutch horticulture sector in whose glass importing quinoa from Peru and Bolivia, requests came from citizens of Syria (35%) tling cancer, and also on behalf of the hos- houses a variety of vegetables and fruits– and this grain has now become a staple in and Eritria (13%). pital where she is being treated. Mark and homes and on restaurant menus. Due to his mother gave each other a boost through the demand of quinoa, the Netherlands has Windmills daily contact by phone during the trip. started, on a modest scale, to export quinoa Added to the UNESCO list of intangible primarily to other EU countries heritage is the job of molenaar (miller) or Sailing is not new for Slats, who has previ- keeper of the windmill. Considering their ously sailed around the world three times. In Short vital role in the life of the Netherlands, this But rowing was new to him, and he began Sleep Robot is an honor to all those who have run and learning its intricacies a year and a half ago Something new under the sun? Currently maintained (and still do in some areas) the by joining a rowing club and practicing on the market is the sleep robot Somnox: a wind and watermills that still dot our land- daily. The training, along with his sailing washable, fully breathable, made of natural scape. skills, particularly in navigation, assured he products, pillow. Its claim is that it helps was well prepared for his newest challenge. and don’t forget the flowers–are grown.This you to fall asleep–if you awaken it will help But even more important, he is not one who Tiny Country Feeds the World is the title of you to fall asleep again–and that it makes suffers from sea sickness. a recent National Geographic Magazine you feel safe while sleeping. The first itera- story, and films and radio programs about tion of this pillow, which was made possible So now, will the world record breaker go Dutch practices are being shown and back home and relax? Well, no! He must heard throughout the world. A visit to the get back to work and to prepare for his Westland (the area between The Hague and the Hook of Holland) gives the visitor a look at how the future of more food for more people is al- ready being addressed and can be a model for other countries, even those that are primarily deserts. The Dutch growers know how much water and how much CO2 are needed for the plants, which are not growing in the ground, but in containers. Westland is not just a grower of foods, but is also known for its seed companies and its experi-

38 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 39 Let’s Go Tripping, Ladies! by Ginnie Rempt ast spring a friend from the U.S. and • Be currency savvy. Know the applicable I decided it was time to continue our form of currency in each country you visit, Lhiking adventures. Terri would invite exchange rate, availability of ATMs, times another friend from the States, and I would ask banks are open, credit card availability, our mutual friend, and AWC Member, Georgia credit card costs and tipping policies. Carry Regnault to join us for two weeks in Northern some cash (generally enough to get you Ireland, including Belfast, and then a portion of through a day) in case a restaurant or shop the Wild Atlantic Way along the west coast of doesn’t accept cards. Ireland. There we were, the four of us, in our • Contact your personal bank and credit card mutually decided automatic car embarking on companies to notify each that you’ll be trav- our eye-opening jaunt through Ireland. Chitty eling to a different country. You don’t want Chitty Bang Bang–that was us! Here’s what problems using your ATM or credit cards! need ear plugs? Is anyone taking dressy One more important thing to remember. makes such a trip possible. • Put safety first. Consider, for your situa- clothes for a special evening? You don’t You’ll be together almost constantly, so tion, whether you need a first-aid package, want anyone to feel left out! give each other space and be flexible. You medicines, flares, telephones and chargers, • Make sure each person has a copy of every- each have habits the other has never noticed guidebook and maps, electric plug adapter, one’s personal contact and flight informa- –that’s a fun part, as well as a challenge. We etc. And, always, have emergency numbers tion. If you’re arriving from different cities are, after all, funny creatures! with you. or countries, determine a meeting point in • Include personal issues. Bear in mind that advance. If departing at different times, Have a great trip! each traveler might have a different sleep- make a plan suitable to everyone for getting ing schedule. That’s okay; one person can to the airport. sightsee while the other sleeps. Maybe you

• Choose people you get along with, because having fun is part of the deal. Also, there AWC THE HAGUE ALSACE WINE TASTING TOUR will probably be a crisis along the way, and MONDAY, MARCH 12TH – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14TH you’ll want to figure out a solution calmly– WINE TOUR & LODGING no freaking out! • Discuss and decide on a destination and WINERY 1 – DOMAINE MARCEL DEISS WINERY 3 - DOMAINE VINCENT FLEITH possible dates. WINERY 2 - MARC KREYDENWEISS LODGINGS & WINE TASTING LA COUR DU BAILLI • Decide on a budget range that fits every- LE DOMAINE VITICOLE one’s wallet. INCLUDED • Address transportation and baggage. Will 2 NIGHTS STAY DAILY BREAKFAST 3 LUNCHES 2 DINNERS

you use public transportation and/or taxis, WINE TOURS TRANSPORTATION PRIVATE DRIVER PRIVATE GUIDE or a car rental? Who’s driving? Will the bag- gage fit in the car? Do you need insurance? COST Take pictures of the car before leaving, just (THIS COST IS ON A SLIDING SCALE BASED ON A MINIMUM OF 12 PEOPLE. THIS COST CAN in case…. BE REDUCED UPON INCREASED ATTENDANCE) • Plan ahead. Have a rough plan of things to MEMBER PRICE: 450 EUROS PER PERSON FOR DOUBLE ROOM & 510 EUROS FOR SINGLE ROOM do, as well as approximate costs and spend- NON-MEMBER PRICE: 500 EUROS PER PERSON FOR DOUBLE ROOM & 560 EUROS FOR SINGLE ROOM ing. Discuss with each other what everyone expects to do on the trip. There’s no need to SIGN UP & CANCELLATION DEADLINE stick together every minute. Some people PLEASE CONTACT SHEYLA KARMAN [email protected] OR might like to hike, while others might en- JAN ESSAD [email protected] BY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST joy a shorter walk. That’s okay, as long as NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION ARE STILL BEING TAKEN IF SPACE IS AVAILABLE. some general group activities are adventures everyone will enjoy.

40 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 41 Travel to Southern Vietnam and Cambodia War against America. The materi- lanes and historical buildings. It’s a als will horrify you and possibly great place to just walk around for a few make a tear or two crawl down hours or a day or two. by Dena Haggerty your face. The descriptions may • Danang: We flew from Siem Reap to also bristle your pride as the U.S. Danang before taking a taxi to Hoi An. f you love excellent food, moving his- is repetitively described as the ag- We stayed the night in Danang (I had tory, and breathtaking scenery, Vietnam gressor in the conflict. Although contracted dysentery in Cambodia) but Iand Cambodia are two countries to add you’ll see a lot of anti-American there isn’t much to do. If you find your- to your bucket list. Unfortunately, you can’t propaganda during your trip, the self in the city, however, the must-visit fly directly to Vietnam from Amsterdam but locals themselves don’t seem to location is the Danang Museum of Cham it’s well worth changing planes. Here are my harbor any negative feelings. Sculpture. It houses 300 artifacts from most useful tips and tricks. If you have any 2. Chinatown (aka Cholo): Spend a the Cham culture, an indigenous people questions, feel free to ask me. I’m easy to day walking around the various who formed an independent kingdom spot: I’ll be the one holding a glass of wine. temples, pagodas and street mar- from the second to seventeenth centu- kets. There’s also a large covered ries in Vietnam and Cambodia. market stuffed full of stalls sell- • Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary: This Hindu temple ing everything you can imagine. complex from the fourth through four- Make sure not to get lost! teenth centuries is a short drive from 3. Jade Emperor Pagoda: Admire Hoi An and is a MUST-SEE. The temple this spectacular, colorful Chinese complex is in a valley surrounded by pagoda dedicated to the Emperor mountains. Much of the complex was Tricks for Vietnam of Jade, the supreme Taoist god. destroyed by U.S. carpet bombing in a • “Saigon” or “Ho Chi Minh City”? Don’t 4. Notre Dame Cathedral: It’s worth single week during the Vietnam War. A stress about using the proper name of a visit for the surrealistic expe- visit to this site encompasses everything Ho Chi Minh City. The residents use the rience of listening to Catholic that is great about traveling: history, cul- name Saigon and won’t bat an eyelash if hymns in Vietnamese. ture, and impressive nature. you do too. 5. People’s Committee Building: • For getting around Saigon, most of the The building itself is not open to Heading for Cambodia must–see places are in Central Saigon the public, but this former hotel After a few days in Saigon, we took a pri- and can be reached on foot. Taxis are has an ornate façade and is one of vate tourist van to Cambodia. also affordable, and we didn’t have the most prominent landmarks of • Crossing over to Cambodia, you can get any issues with scammers. Taxi drivers the city. a visa upon entry into the country. We speak English for the most part. took a small tourist van from Saigon to • Hotels in Saigon range from cheap back- Phnom Penh, and the guide arranged our packer hostels to five-star luxury. Most visas when we crossed the border. It was backpacker hostels are located near the a bit confusing as the guide spoke only nightlife. If you want a quiet stay, but three words of English, but everything are on a budget, you can find some me- worked out fine. dium-range hotels for a reasonable price • Clothing! If you want to enter any tem- in the city center. ples, including those at Angkor Wat and We started in Saigon • If you end up getting tummy issues, the Royal Palace, make sure you wear Getting into Vietnam: Dutch and American head to your local restaurant and tell proper clothing covering your shoulders citizens will need a visa to enter the coun- them you’re not feeling well. They’ll and knees. try. I recommend applying for a visa with make you a rice dish that will help with • Go for a little luxury in Phnom Penh. an online service instead of heading to the the nausea. Although you can travel on a shoestring embassy. Pay a small fee and plan to pick • Must-sees in Saigon? You can easily budget in Southeast Asia, I recommend up your visa at the airport upon arrival in spend a week in the city. If you’re short spending a little more for your accom- Vietnam. Since you’ll need to pay an ad- on time, however, these are the places modations in the capital. Unfortunately, ditional fee there, make sure you bring the you must hit: Outside of Saigon the city has more prostitutes than the exact amount in cash. You can purchase 1. War Remnants Museum: This col- • Hoi An: Want to relax? Beaches and red-light district in Amsterdam, and a single-entry or multi-entry visa; though lection documents the horrors of quaint seaside villages are plentiful. they tend to congregate near cheaper more expensive, the multi-entry visa is the Vietnam War, which you will Hue and Hoi An are popular. We headed hotels. Trust me, you want to spend worth it if you want to travel to Cambodia. find referred to as the Resistance for Hoi An, a quaint town with cobbled more on your hotel. >> 44

42 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 43 Travel to Southern Vietnam and Cambodia (cont.) Travel Insurance–Don’t Leave Home Continued from page 43 Without It Outside of Phnom Penh by Chelsea Wald Angkor Wat: It goes without saying that if you have only one day to visit Southeast Asia, Angkor Wat is the not-to-be-missed hen former AWC The Hague due to illness or death of a traveler or close location. If you have time, though, you President Becky Failor broke her relative; you can customize aspects of your should plan to spend three days there. You Wleg, her travel insurance from ABN coverage, such as Europe-only versus world- can buy a ticket for one or three (or more) AMRO covered the costs of canceling two trips wide travel, winter sports, and protection for days at the ticket booth. Plan to spend one she could no longer take. When AWC Member your broken or lost smartphones, tablets, and day biking, and you should hire a tuk-tuk Rebecca Niles-Pourier’s father passed away, glasses. Both Becky and Rebecca held such for at least one day of your visit to see the and she had to change her itinerary on short policies when misfortune struck. outlying temples; though less crowded, they Annual travel insurance is available from are no less worth the visit. many companies in the Netherlands, includ- ing companies you probably already work • Must-sees in Phnom Penh? Though ev- I haven’t mentioned any particular restau- with. Among those mentioned by AWC mem- eryone who travels to Cambodia heads to rants to visit because everywhere we ate bers on Facebook are ABN AMRO, ING, Angkor Wat, you shouldn’t skip the capi- in both countries was fabulous. Just follow Aegon, Delta Lloyd, Nationale-Nederlanden, tal city. There are four must-sees in the the golden rule of street food, which is to and ANWB. Dominique Duysens, the AWC city. If you hire a tuk-tuk for the day to make sure the vendors make your dish fresh The Hague Clubhouse Administrator, sug- take you to several locations, be sure to instead of serving you something pre-made gests checking out Independer.nl, a site (in negotiate a price up front. that’s been sitting in the sun for who knows Dutch) that allows you to compare different 1. Royal Palace: This complex of how long. policies. In the end, I decided to take out a buildings serves as the royal resi- policy with the company I already use for dence of the King of Cambodia. Enjoy your trip! If you need a traveling my home rental insurance, OHRA, for about Visitors are allowed to visit only companion, give me a call. I’d love to go €10 euros per month for my husband and me. the throne hall and a clutch of back. I haven’t had to use it yet, but I’m glad to buildings surrounding it. The gran- know it’s there in case I do. deur of the areas where visitors are allowed makes it worth the visit. notice, her travel insurance from ING covered 2. National Museum of Cambodia: the costs, as well as data coverage and phone Editor’s Note Situated next to the Royal Palace, use in the United States. Both were thankful Below is a note I read on the Facebook the museum is housed in a terra- that they didn’t have to worry about money page “Two Fat Expats.” cotta structure of traditional design during otherwise trying times and has the world’s finest collec- Linda Cooke to Two Fat Expats: tion of Khmer sculpture. Although travel insurance is growing some- “I just wanted to say how important it 3. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: what more popular in the United States, I is to always travel with travel insurance. Pol Pot’s security forces took over haven’t always bothered to get it. Shopping We have risked it without occasionally but a local high school and turned it for it always seemed a hassle, and prices too this family reunion holiday to Indonesia into Security Prison 21. It was the high. But when I asked the AWC The Hague and Singapore could have been a lot more largest detention and torture center Facebook group about finding insurance in expensive without. My healthy husband got in the country. Prepare to be out- the Netherlands for an upcoming trip, I dis- a virus which affected his liver and we are raged, distressed and teary-eyed. covered that many Dutch companies offer an- now on day four in hospital in Singapore. 4. Killing Fields of Choeung Ek: nual travel insurance policies (doorlopende We missed our flights home, I’ve had to This is another location that stands reisverzekering) at very competitive rates. keep extending my hotel room, and without testament to the horror brought They will cover any trips that you and your the security of the insurance I think I would upon the population by the Pol Pot family might take in a year, even including be a basket case. It might seem like an ex- regime. If you’ve ever wondered day trips–and you don’t need to warn them pensive unnecessary, but from my side of about how cruel man can be, you in advance where and when you’re going. the situation I am ever so glad we have it.” need to visit the killing fields. Most policies cover cancellation and changes

44 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 45 There’s also a small restaurant on the island if you feel like having a drink or a bite. You can, and should, also try out the sauna; they provide towels on-site. This is the absolute Finnish experience: a hot sauna and cooling off in the Baltic Sea. Stroll back through Kaivopusto (a very nice park) and visit the Kaivopuisto Observatory, which is small but cute. On your way back to the city center, you will pass Saint Henry’s Chapel (Catholic) and, if it’s open, do have a look inside. To end a great day, start with Instead of just going to the main shopping a sundowner drink at Hotel Torni’s wonder- streets, experience a real adventure visiting ful rooftop bar, with a stunning view of the a flea market in Helsinki. You will find small city. Go to Faroush (excellent Lebanese) or, and big treasures–things you won’t be able to Helsinki, Finland. See it Like a Native! if you want to try something local, head to spot at a general store–while enjoying the fes- Restaurant Lappi or Aino. tive open-air atmosphere of the city. One of by AnnaLena Thuren-Vogel (Anna to my friends and family) Helsinki’s most popular markets during sum- If your visit to Helsinki includes April 30 and mertime, and the largest outdoor flea market, the first of May, you are in for a real party. is located on the Hlietalahti square. Though am a Swedish-Finn which means I belong visit with not only a list of sights, but also a That’s when we celebrate the students who Finns aren’t prone to negotiate prices, you to the minority (6%) of Finns who have list of experiences. Ride the Helsinki trams, have graduated from the gymnasium (prep can be brave and bid. If you want to take a ISwedish as a mother tongue but also speak one of the oldest electrified systems in the school). The city center will be full of people gourmet break after spending the morning Finnish. I was born in a town called Ekenäs world and very easy to navigate. Helsinki is a walking around in the white caps that you get strolling the flea market booths, enjoy a tori (swe) / Tammisaari (fin) on the southern tip city of design: it was named the world design when you graduate, celebrating both their kahvit (market coffee) with a Finnish tradi- of Finland. I moved to Helsinki for studies capital a few years ago and also awarded the achievement and the spring. May Day cel- tional bun called korvapuusti or munkki. and lived there for 15 years before my hus- City of Design by UNESCO. What you may ebrations were originally pagan, and a feast band swept me off my feet and we moved to not expect is that Helsinki has a real foodie of spring became a nationwide urban carni- Helsinki is one big secret, not yet overrun Germany. I lived in Hamburg for five years; in scene. Finns are some of the biggest coffee val. On the first of May, you will see Finns with tourists. The city still has a great lo- Houston, Texas for five years, and now in The consumers in the world, so you will find a lot picnicking in Kaivopusto park, but you have cal and creative vibe. Welcome to Helsinki! Hague for two years. If traveling to Helsinki of nice restaurants and exceptional coffee in to get up early because it all starts at 10 a.m. Välkommen till Helsingfors (in Swedish)! is on your list of places to visit, it’s well worth cozy cafes. Be sure to pack a picnic basket and blanket, Tervetuloa Helsinkiin (in Finnish)! the trip! My perfect day in Helsinki is one that starts and don’t forget the champagne! Helsinki is the city of light, good food, awe- early. Have a good breakfast in the hotel or some coffee and a city that never sleeps. I head to Café Ekberg, an establishment that know that is supposed to be New York, but opened its doors in 1852. After a hearty during the summertime, that also goes for start, stroll through the area Ullanlinna, a Helsinki. A big reason why I love Helsinki mixture of antiques and quirky shops. You is because it’s the sort of place you need to will also find many small cafes in this area. When it’s time for lunch, stop at Restaurant Mattolaituri, where Finns still wash their car- pets outside (yes you are reading correctly) and let them dry in the sun. The views are fabulous and the restaurant serves everything from salads to ribs. When you feel ready to move on, take a walk along the archipelago shoreline and watch the boats pass by. If you feel like taking a swim you can take the ferry over to Uunisaari, an island oppo- site Mattolaituri. The sea water is clean ev- erywhere around Helsinki, so just jump in.

46 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 47 bombing close to Dresden and the old East includes entrance to all locations, participa- Germany, where dissent sparked the events tion in all activities and use of historic buses Announcements that led to the tearing down of the Berlin between the city center and further afield Wall. Lecturer Denis Moriarty spent most museums. Please note that the Museumkaart Comic Con in Rotterdam Photo by Loraine Bodewes of his early working life as a BBC televi- is not accepted for this special evening and Lovers of movies, TV shows, gaming, sion producer. Tickets are € 12 and can be activities will be geared towards a Dutch au- comics, superheroes and pop culture will purchased at the door. www.dfas.nl dience. www.museumnachtkids.nl be gathering at the Ahoy in Rotterdam on Tuesday, March 13 Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4 for Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Keukenhof Opens Comic Con. A wide range of stars from fa- Lecture begins at 8 p.m. Each year more than seven million flower mous movies and TV shows, such as Game Cultural Centrum Warenar bulbs are planted in the historic park in of Thrones and Highlander, will be present. Kerkstraat 75, Wassenaar Lisse, which opens its doors for the spring You can meet your heroes and participate in season from March 22 through May 13. activities such as Q&A panels, workshops, St. Patrick’s Festival The central theme for 2018 is “Romance demos and live acts. www.comic-con.nl Wear something green and head to Grote in Flowers,” since the two are inextricably Markt to celebrate with all things Irish linked. The romance-themed flower mo- Amsterdam Boat Show for the largest celebration of St. Patrick’s saic was planted in two layers, providing a From Wednesday, March 7 – Sunday, March 275 dealers from 20 countries in a space as Day in the Netherlands. Get ready to turn longer flowering period in the spring, with 11, the HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show will large as 7 football fields. What sets this fair green with the best Irish dancing schools in 50,000 tulips, grape hyacinths and crocuses. be held at the Amsterdam RAI. As the largest apart from others is that, despite the deal- Europe, large pints, Irish food, Six Nations www.keukenhof.nl watersport exhibition in the Netherlands ers being the world’s finest, each item is still Rugby on a big screen, great music and with over 250 exhibitors and 40,000 visitors investigated for its quality, condition and good laughs. www.stpatricksdaydenhaag.nl anticipated, it features a huge range of authenticity. Even contemporary works are Saturday, March 17 boats, nautical accessories, sportswear, vetted and checked against The Art Loss Grote Markt, Den Haag Register. Enjoy the stimulating atmosphere 3 – 11 p.m. full of dealers, collectors, academics, art critics and curators from major museums around the world. www.tefaf.com Art Lecture Leipzig: Architecture, Art and Music Leipzig, Germany played host to Mendelssohn, Wagner and Bach. Bach (1685 – 1750) worked as the cantor at the Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church) for the last 27 years of his life. Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847) was the director of the Gewandhaus, a concert hall, and the conductor of its or- vacations and watersports services. There is Museum Night for Kids Movies That Matter Festival free entrance for children under 17 who will chestra. Of the three, only Wagner was born enjoy the Funsports Xperience where they in Leipzig. The lecture includes a brief his- On Saturday, March 17, around 20 muse- The Movies that Matter Festival, an initiative will find the coolest sports under one roof: torical architectural survey including the ums and cultural institutions in The Hague of Amnesty International, takes place Friday, kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, and Voorburg will open their doors for the March 23 – Saturday, March 31 at Filmhuis skimboarding, BMX and skateboarding. youngest cultural night owls with activities Den Haag and Theater aan het Spui in The They will be able to try the activities, get aimed at 4- to 12-year-olds. Every child and Hague. This festival presents around 60 tips from pros and watch spectacular demos. each parent will need their own ticket which human rights feature films and documentaries www.hiswarai.nl from around the world. Many of these films will be screened for the first and only time TEFAF – The European Fine Art in the Netherlands. Many film screenings Fair are followed by an in-depth program which The world’s leading art and antiques fair might be an introduction, debate or talk will be held in Maastricht from Saturday, show. Most films are in English or subtitled. March 10 – Sunday, March 18. This mas- For the program and tickets, go to www. sive fair features 50,000 art objects from moviesthatmatter.nl. >> 50

48 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 49 Announcements (cont.) Message from the President (cont.) Continued from page 49 Continued from page 8 Hyperrealism Sculpture Temporary Ferris Wheel And then there are communication apps like chance to connect. We’ve had a flourish of From March 10 through July 1, Kunsthal Europe’s largest mobile Ferris wheel will WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and good new Members, and they’re eager to get in- Rotterdam will present a unique selection be temporarily situated near the Markthal old-fashioned email. It’s never been so easy volved with the Club and connect with other of 35 three-dimensional artworks by 28 of in Rotterdam opening daily at 10 a.m. from to stay in touch. Trust me, I know. I first expat women. the most important hyperrealist sculptors March 12 to April 10. The View was built journeyed to Europe in high school. At the of the past 50 years. Standing face-to-face in 2008, is 180 feet (55 meters) tall and has time, long-distance calling within the United And speaking of making new connections with these human replicas provokes a re- 42 cabins that each hold 6 passengers. This States was expensive. International calls were – I’ll be sharing the position of President with action from the visitors, raising questions is a unique chance to enjoy the fascinating something that were only done on special oc- my fellow Board Member, Laurie Brooks. about the extent to which human beings can aerial view of Rotterdam from the height of casions like Christmas and birthdays. Except We have some big shoes to fill with Mary be manipulated and about identity in gen- a 16-story building. www.en.rotterdam.info/ for some genius scientists, no one had even Ann’s departure, but if the two of us together eral. How we see ourselves and others is an our-blogs/the-view heard of the internet and email. manage to make even half of the impact of interesting topic in light of the current selfie Mary Ann, I’ll call it a success. culture on social media. www.kunsthal.nl So, as we say a premature good-bye to several Members, let’s take comfort in our ability to remain in touch. Plus, think of all the new Members with whom you have the Dena Sam Jinks, Untitled (Kneeling Woman), 2015 Woman), (Kneeling Untitled Sam Jinks,

Chili Cook-Off AWC Friendraiser

50 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 51 Classifieds Index of Advertisers Attorney Blossoming Health and Bijoux-dor Gold & ACCESS Beacon Financial Julie’s American Sligro For high-quality professional Beauty Silversmith Education Cookies legal services in English, con- Looking for a professional, Professionally trained gold tact Robert Oosthout (high- licensed acupuncturist? and silversmith specializing page 30 back cover page 31 page 13 ly recommended by AWC Contact Linda Chen in handmade and custom Member Cynthia Lardner). For at 06-37315840. With a jewelry, and repairs. AWC American Travel Frans Burgers Marcel VERHEY VAN over 31 years, Mr. Oosthout background in leadership members are eligible for a Center Tapijt Vermeulen WIJK brilmode has specialized in immigration development by Shell, Linda 10% discount on custom Jewelry and IND matters, divorce, em- graduated with Cum Laude work. Visit my atelier at page 47 page 21 page 11 page 19 ployment law, real estate and in TCM Acupuncture. She Noordeinde 47, 1st floor, The general contract law. With an is a registered member of Hague or call 0687598566 ASPA FRITSTAXI Paul van Brink Wassalon office conveniently located the professional association for an appointment or send Airport Service Personal Trainer Weissenbruch in Leiden, Mr. Oosthout can ZHONG. Insurance an email to meriemoukil@ be reached at +31 6 26 90 25 reimbursement of the fee is hotmail.com. page 17 page 27 Inside back Cover page 30 45. The first one-hour consul- possible. www.meriem-dor.com tation is complimentary to www.blossoming-healthbeauty. Aveda Lifestyle Happy Critters Petros Eyewear Your Cleaning AWC Members. com Pippa’s Friendly Pilates Salon Service www.oosthoutadvocatuur.nl I am a certified Stott Pilates Counselling International Instructor offering private Inside Cover page 35 page 11 page 30 Seaside Apartment for For professional, confiden- matwork and reformer lessons Short-term Rental tial individual counselling or in a comfortable setting at my Overlooking the pier and the coaching, relationship/couple home studio in central Den at Scheveningen therapy or conflict mediation. Haag. Please contact me at Members: eNews Distribution beach, this 6th floor apart- Experienced, multilingual pro- [email protected] A weekly electronic newsletter is sent The AWC is not responsible for ment sleeps 3 comfortably, fessional Els Barkema-Sala, or 06 82529931 for more infor- accidents or injuries occurring at Club with 1 king bed and 1 single MPhil, MBACP. mation. to all AWC Members via GroupSpaces. activities or on Club property. Sports futon. € 65 per night, with a Contact 071 528 2661 for FREE com. If you have not been receiving your and exercise instructors must carry their 3-night minimum, plus de- initial telephone consultation own liability insurance. posit. Contact AWC Member or for an appointment. eNews, please contact Melissa at Jane Gulde at iaminholland@ www.counsellinginternational. [email protected]. yahoo.com. com

Event information, suggestions or comments for eNews? ***New email account*** Rates Please send all eNews information to [email protected] no later than end of day Classified Mini-Ads: How to Submit Your Ad: each Friday for the following week’s eNews. Deadline: In general, the 1st of the month prior to the Email your ad to: [email protected] month in which your ad will appear, although subject to change due to holiday schedule. Payment Information: Member Privacy Please indicate the name of your ad on your payment so that AWC Member Rates: we are able to match up your payment with your ad. Please be reminded that the AWC Membership List is for AWC Member reference only and use of this For 45 Words For 25 Additional Words information in any communication other than AWC official business is strictly prohibited. Members may Per Issue € 10 € 5 By Bank Transfer: not share the list with anyone other than another AWC Member in good standing and never to any Eight Issues € 70 € 30 ABN-AMRO 43.14.21.757 third party. IBAN: NL42ABNA0431421757 Non-Member Rates: The AWC takes care to protect Member information and adherence to this policy is critical to maintain For 45 Words For 25 Additional Words Display Ads: Member privacy. Members are asked to report suspected misuse of the list to any AWC Board Member. Per Issue € 15 € 8 For full, half, third or quarter page commercial display ads, Eight Issues € 110 € 55 email our magazine staff at [email protected]

52 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 53 Proost! Questionnaire by Jan Essad

Why are you living in the Netherlands? PAUL VAN BRINK As they say, you’ll follow a man anywhere, especially a wonderful one! After a 29-year Air Force career, my husband Bob accept- PERSONAL TRAINER ed a position with a NATO agency in The TRIATHLON COACH Hague. Give us a quick wrap-up of your family. Bob and I have been married 34 years. We have a son, Grant, 32, living in Wisconsin My personal challenge and a daughter Natalie, 31, living here in is to get as much from The Hague. How fabulous is that as an ex- you as possible during ʺ Training sessions each training session, and pat! As if that wasn’t enough, Natalie and her husband Babak just had our first grand- are always perfectly show you what is possible baby, Myra Grace who is now four months if you have the passion tailored towards my to push yourself, and the old! goals ʺ right mind-set. What or who is the greatest love of your life? o PERSONAL I absolutely loved being a military wife. TRAINING Having a family and moving to all the plac- o TRIATHLON es we lived, sharing cultural experiences TRAINING and adapting to all the situations military venturous excursions, and fantastic people! o TRX SUSPENSION families face was truly a marvelous experi- TRAINING ence. You are also forever part of a grand What is your favorite travel purchase? o SPINNING o NUTRITION network of friends and patriots. I love to buy small art pieces by local artists. ADVICE It’s fun to look around your house and have When and why did you join the AWC? o SPORTS a reminiscent moment. MASSAGE I had met ladies from the AWC The Hague when I lived in Germany in 1997. It’s amaz- Which locations haven’t been ticked off your bucket list? ing how things come back around. So, nat- : +31 618144296 urally it was one of the first places I came Oh, the places I want to go! Africa, Thailand, TEL EMAIL: PAULVANBRINK when we moved here in 2010. What could India, Sardinia, down under … should I stop @ICLOUD.COM be better than a group of ladies, supporting now?! I love to travel, so I think there will each other, giving back to the community always be a destination on the list. and meeting you where the rubber meets the road. Which Dutch words or phrases do you ʺ have been train- I most overuse? ing with Paul for a Which travel experience made you the Danke veel, tot ziens, fijne dag and tot de happiest? volgende keer. year, and he is still In 2010, Natalie won a trip for two to Brazil able to surprise me which she gave to Bob and me for our an- Where would you most like to live? with new exercises niversary that year. She was born on our Spain or Italy … warmth, water, and views third wedding anniversary and we always of the sunrise and sunset are a must! every week. ʺ celebrated her birthday on that day, so she wanted to give back to us. It was an amazing What is your motto? trip, beautiful beaches and countryside, ad- Be a woman full of grace!

54 GOING DUTCH MARCH 2018 55 WE’RE EXPATS TOO!

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Your wealth. Your future. SeamleSS Service. wherever in the world You reSide.

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Beacon Financial Education does not provide financial, tax or legal advice. None of the information should be considered financial, tax or legal advice. You should consult your financial, tax or legal advisers for information concerning your own specific tax/legal situation.