The Postcard Race ROUND 2 Winner Announced!

Kris Purdy of Toronto, Ontario is the winner of Round 2 of The Postcard Race!

The Post Office is so fast. Kris' postcard was picked up in Amsterdam
at 6PM Wednesday April 15th, (approximately 6 AM Wednesday Toronto time)
and then she received the postcard Friday, April 17th (2 days SUPER FAST)!
Kris will win something mailed to her from another country.

We will be scouring the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul,where
we are going in May, for something especially for Kris!

Congratulations Kris!

The Postcard Race- Round 2

April in Amsterdam

More than a quarter of the Netherlands lies below sea level. The lowest point in the Netherlands is also the lowest point in Europe- almost 7 meters below sea level.

Hans Brinker, the hero of a popular book, is one the world’s most famous Dutch people. The book sketches a romantic American view of the Netherlands: windmills, water, ice and skates. Mary Mape Dodge wrote the book in 1865. She had never visited the Netherlands. Pilgrims from abroad began to arrive in Spaardam seeking reminders of Hans. The tourist office had little choice but to put up a statue of him.

The Netherlands is the bicycle capital of world-it has 20 million bicycles and 16.3 million people: which gives it the highest density of bicycles in the world.

A windmill, a plate, a bowl or a tile. White with a subtle decoration in blue, preferably a Dutch landscape. Delft Blue ceramics are sought-after souvenirs. The city of Delft became world-famous for its artistic earthenware, but it is not an original Delft creation: local potters copied the Chinese.

Amsterdam has the largest canal system in the world and the most bridges of any European city.

The 380 Kilometers Dutch coastline is graced by beautiful wide, white, sandy beaches bordered by equally beautiful sand dunes.

At 45,000 pages, the Algemeen Woorden boek der Nederlandse Taal is the world’s largest dictionary.

It is a typically Dutch concept one that is difficult to translate: gezelligeid. It is a term often used in the Netherlands, as life must be made as gezellig as possible. Gazelligheid is found in a setting that has atmosphere and fun activities, but aall above all the right company. Having a bakkie (coffee) together is by definition gezellig.

Johan Cruijff’, nicknamed The Phenomenon and The Saviour, is regarded by many as the best Footballer of all time. The former Ajax player is the most famous Dutchman in the world. Nowadays, as a football analyst, he regularly stirs audiences with his striking use of language. His commentaries have become as legendary as his footballing skills. His quip: “every downside has its upside” has permeated everyday speech.

The Dutch eat fifteen kilos of cheese per person annually. They were producing cheese even in prehistoric times. The Netherlands is the world’s largest exporter of cheese, butter, and milk powder.

The Dutch are frugal and prudent- world champion coupon savers-yet the Dutch are the most generous charity donors in the world.

The prosperity of the Golden Age helped Dutch painting flourish. Dutch masters were often underrated. Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Goth died in poverty.