Dear Pandamao,
Marjolein got a very nice picture from London. Her parents went there for a short vacation and they brought lots of presents for her. I sit under next to this picture all the time and I made a new friend! It's a really nice cow and she's thinking of becoming a TV herself! Yesterday I was helping Marjolein with her cooking and she had the biggest red paprika! It was almost as big as me! And there is also Christmasnews! Marjolein got me this great book from the library called: Viert de Kerstman ook Kerstmis? In English this is something like: Does Santa also celebrate Christmas? I was wondering what does people had to say about me, so I found the book very interesting. First I say this very funny picture of me with my legs in the water! In the book there is also a recipe for hotdogs (worstenbroodjes) because I guess that's what Dutch children make for Christmas. And then.... I found a drawing that made me very happy! My reindeers where on it! And also a photo of them! They look so happy in the snow! In the book children ask lots of question, they even interview little old me! The book also tells the Christian story about Christmas. In the Netherlands they call me the Kerstman. Here, they believe that the English/American people made me up. They believe in Sinterklaas. When you think about it, Santa Claus sounds a lot like Sinterklaas. Dutch people say that Sinterklaas was this saint called Saint Nicholas who lived in Turkey. Marjolein says she visited his grave when she was in Turkey. Sinterklaas now lives in Spain and comes to Holland every year at the 5th of December to bring presents to the children. He doesn't have reindeers, but coloured people who are all called Piet. The Dutch say the English/American liked there story about Sinterklaas and then turned is into Santa Claus. I don't know, sounds a bit far out. And did you know that Finnish people believe that Santa Claus lives in Finland? All these different story's, I'm starting to question myself! Unfortunately I found this photo of myself in the book with a pretty sunset, which made me feel all peacefull again.
Nick