X magazine

edition 2010.2011

in the southeast netherlands

goodinspiration!

shops food & drinks

museums

magazine for xpats

xplore eindhoven & maastrichtQuiz: are you dutchproof?3 xpats in weeks, months, years

PICK UP THE FREE CITY GUIDE AND CITY MAP ‘THIS IS EINDHOVEN’ AT THE VVV TOURIST OFFICE EINDHOVEN

VVV Tourist Office Stationsplein 17 5611 AC EINDHOVENInformation number +31 (0) 40 297 91 00www.vvveindhoven.nl WWW.40-WATT.NL

p. 3

hello!

X is a Brainport International

Community edition.

For further information:

www.brainporttalentregion.com

www.expatguideholland.com

-

This edition: 10,000 copies

Produced by: PreVision

-

All rights reserved. No part of this

work may be reproduced or

transmitted on paper or in any

form, either electronic or by

making photocopies or

recordings, or by any other

means, without the prior written

permission of the publisher.

Brainport meets xpats in x!

X. A magazine especially created for expats.

For you. X is a guide to help you explore the

Brainport region. A region that is happy to

have you here for your contribution to the

economy and to cultural life in this lively

international community.

X alternates between need to know and nice

to know and likes to share the region’s must

sees and must do’s with you. Local experts

will divulge their best kept secrets: addresses

to shop, relax, and enjoy a wonderful meal.

Experienced expats will give you a more

complete picture of life in the Southeast

Netherlands. Newcomers will explain all

about the first few months as an expat,

because they know what it is like to have to

find your way in a new set of surroundings.

X would like to welcome you to the beautiful

Brainport region. We hope you will feel at

home soon. Enjoy!

Yvonne van Hest

Program Manager Brainport International Community

x magazine

-

Brainport International

Community is co-financed

by the Ministry of Economic

Affairs, the Provinces

Noord-Brabant and

Limburg and the city region

Eindhoven (SRE).

titel xpat p. 4

indexxpat

1 2

3 4

3 6

6 2

1 8

2 3

4 4

4 8

weeks, months, years

X is happy to tell you how nice, how great and

'gezellig' things are over here. But to be honest,

we are a little prejudiced. this is why we let 3

expats do the talking. in WEEKs (all about work),

MontHs (finding my way), and YEars (loving life

the dutch way).

Xpat Vs Xpat

sweden Vs the netherlands, and vice versa.

Which is the best place to live?

i ❤ eindhoVen &

making my home

You came here for love. and then ... 2 women,

2 stories. Completely different, yet both at home.

hello goodbye!

should you fail to feel at home: you can always

leave. Forever, or for a while.

Quiz: are you dutchproof?

do you know the dutch ins and outs?

test yourself.

hollandse keuken

no culinary fireworks in the dutch kitchen?

Wait till you get a taste of some of these treats …

dressed in dutch

the dutchies like to party. read about the hows

and whys, dress appropriately, and dance along.

yes, it’s homemade

Homegrown is best. good stuff.

see, taste, and learn.

typically Dutch

titelxpatp. 5

xpert

anD more ...

xplore

1 1

2 8

4 0

5 6

5 0

6 0

0 1

0 5

0 7

home is where the heart is

How to feel at ease so far away from home …

these spots have what it takes. 5 Expat favourites.

Xplore eindhoVen

Eindhoven may not be the most authentic city in

the netherlands, but it is one of the most lively

ones. those who love technology and design are

in luck here because these are the spearheads of

Eindhoven’s local policies.

Xplore transfer

X loves Eindhoven, Maastricht, and everything in

between the two towns. How better to explore the

area than by bike? 80 kilometres, just you, the

surroundings, and your bike.

Xplore maastricht

Maastricht– or ‘Mestreech’ as the city’s inhabitants

would say – is the oldest city in the netherlands.

its central location in the European region between

the Meuse and the rhine brings a great number of

international visitors and inhabitants to Maastricht.

fashion, nature & food

Xperts in Fashion, nature & Food tell you all

about some very special places.

For your inspiration!

let’s go out

plenty of fun to be had in the region.

so much so that it can be hard to choose.

X has made a selection for you.

hello

X-team

Xtra

in short: need to know and nice to know

titel xpat p. 6

+31(0)13-5321014 +31(0)13-5358168 [email protected] www.housingXL.nl

Looking for short stay housing?

HOUSINGXL.NL is your partner

p. 7 x magazine

PuBlIsher

BRAINPoRt DEvELoPMENt

www.BRAINPoRtDEvELoPMENt.NL

ChIeF edITor

wIES vAN KAtS

arT dIreCTor

MARIEKE vAN DE GRAft

CommunICaTIons

BRAINPoRt DEvELoPMENt

TranslaTor

wENDy LuBBERDING

sales

JAN-KoENRAAD vEENStRA

Bo BAKKER

HoLCoM

WrITers

ANoEK HofKENS

CARoLINE vAN SCHuBERt

DAGMAR StEINS

IoANA StANESCu

JANE HARDJoNo

oLGA vAN StRAtEN

oLIvIA NERI

tIES vAN DE wERff

PhoTograPhers

BouDEwIJN BoLLMANN

MADELEINE SARS

MARIA RuDNAyA

MARIELLE LEENDERS

MICHIEL LANDEwEERD

ASSIStANt oLGA GANzHA

Thanks To

EStHER SCHMAL

LoRRAINE wIttEvEEN

RoB tER StEEGE

JANICKE KERNLAND

HANDAN KILIC (CovER MoDEL)

LANA MESIC (CovER ASSIStANt)

GENNEPER HoEvE (CovER)

www.GENNEPERHoEvE.NL

AND EvERyoNE wE HAvE

INtERvIEwED

x-teammadeleIne sars WIll lITerally eaT

dIrT For a good CoVer. three women

(model, assistant and photographer) in their

city shoes in a paddock near the Genneper

Hoeve. A shame that we do not have any

pictures of it. But we did get our cowgirl cover.

marIa rudnaya Was Born and

raIsed In russIa. She has been in the

Netherlands for almost three years. In ad-

dition to attending a photography course at

the fotoacademie in Amsterdam, she has

been working on her PhD at tu/e’s depart-

ment of Scientific Computing. Maria took

some photos for X, pages 28-29, 48-49.

yVonne Van hesT Is a Program

manager For BraInPorT

InTernaTIonal CommunITy, the

organisation which commissioned X.

She loves food and cooking. Her favourite

is De woenselse Markt in Eindhoven,

especially the Saturday morning market

which offers food from all over the world.

mIChIel landeWeerd Was our

PhoTograPher For dressed In

duTCh. He pulled out all the stops. In

the middle of a heat wave, Sinterklaas

was seen going from door to door,

Prince Carnaval donned his outfit,

and Johan vlemmix painted the town

orange.

TIes Van de WerFF Is a Free-

lanCe researCher, WrITer and

CuraTor. As a student, he lived in

Maastricht for eight years. ties frequently

visits his second home-town, as a

teacher at the faculty of Arts & Culture at

Maastricht university. on a good day, you

can find him reading at café falstaff.

X team credits contributors

titel xpat p. 8

MELVIN THE MACHINEa designmachine by HeyHeyHey and many others

On view during Dutch Design Week 2010 saturday October 23rd till sunday October 31st

FUNWARE_PLAYING WITH SOFTWARE ARTan interactive and international groupshow

On view from friday November 21st, 2010 till sunday January 16th, 2011

presents fall/winter 2010

MU is generously supported by:Gemeente EindhovenProvincie Noord-BrabantMinisterie van Onderwijs, Cultuur & Wetenschap

MU partners:Eindhovens DagbladBlendGreve Off setFatboy

HeyHeyHeyBrainportSTRP festival

muemmasingel 205611 az eindhoven

www.mu.nl

text olivia van den broek-nerixtrap. 9

MELVIN THE MACHINEa designmachine by HeyHeyHey and many others

On view during Dutch Design Week 2010 saturday October 23rd till sunday October 31st

FUNWARE_PLAYING WITH SOFTWARE ARTan interactive and international groupshow

On view from friday November 21st, 2010 till sunday January 16th, 2011

presents fall/winter 2010

MU is generously supported by:Gemeente EindhovenProvincie Noord-BrabantMinisterie van Onderwijs, Cultuur & Wetenschap

MU partners:Eindhovens DagbladBlendGreve Off setFatboy

HeyHeyHeyBrainportSTRP festival

muemmasingel 205611 az eindhoven

www.mu.nl

xtra

The book 'Manners in the Netherlands - Dutch Ditz' by

Reinildis van Ditzhuyzen, Lorraine T. Miller (Translator)

will help you get started. Take advantage of some of the

real life experiences and observations from expatriates,

and find out how to prevent common misunderstandings

between foreigners and the Dutch. PRICE: €13,50

Tips

funny wordsLearning Dutch can be challenging. Here are some words that native English speakers might find confusing.

frikandel (n.) a deep-fried Dutch snack, sounds like

'freak and dell'.

schoonmoeder (n.) mother-in-law, literally means

clean mother

willen (v.) want, not will

scheVeningen during World War II, the Dutch would

ask Germans to pronounce this town’s name to prove they

were not German spies!

boterham (n.) a sandwich

slim adj. not thin, but smart!

driftkikker (n.) a hothead, an extremely

temperamental or violent person

kliekje (n.) leftover, remainder

op apegapen liggen (n.) to be out of breath,

to be completely knackered

mierenneuker (n., vulgar) a nitpicker, a hair-

splitter, someone who spends hours niggling over the

tiniest of details. (But not literally molesting insects.)

need to haVe: umbrellaThe Netherlands enjoys a maritime climate. Summers are

cool with an average July temperature of 19º C and winters

are mild with an average January temperature of 2º C.

Always carry an umbrella! There is limited sunshine and

an average rainfall of about 76.5 cm. Snow and extreme

heat are rare. For information on the weather:

tel. 0900-8003 or www.weeronline.nl

would you like to learn dutch?

there is a range of different language courses available

from certified institutes such as the roc eindhoven

www.roceindhoven.nl or the maastricht talencentrum

www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/languages

Why do the Dutch what they do?

... from rob Van gijzel, chairman stichtingbrainport and mayor of eindhoVen:“Visit: www.brainporttalentregion.com. This portal will tell you everything you

need to know about Technology and Talent Opportunities in the Brainport

region. Dozens of Brainport ambassadors, international talents living in this

region, are on stand-by to answer your questions. We ‘Southerners’ are warm-

hearted people, but do not only take our word for it; ask your fellow country

(wo)men what they think of our region through the Brainport website.”

p. 10text ioana stansescu xtra

xtrastreet interViewif you say hema, you say hollanD. the Dutch love their hema. inexpensive, But gooD quality anD great fun. x magazine wants to know the ins anD outs, so went out anD askeD hema visitors.

maaike (22)Typically HEMA ...?

“Hema’s hotdog, no, no I mean their

'rookworst'. Hasn't everyone heard

of it?”

How often do you come here?

“At least twice a month.”

What do you buy at HEMA?

“Bras, make-up and all kinds of fun

little bits and bobs they sell here.”

robin (23) & heike (19)Typically HEMA ...?

“Their tasty 'rookworsten', the

children’s book heroes Jip &

Janneke, and their trademark cheerful

packaging.”

How often do you come here?

“Easily two to three times a month.”


“Nail polish, notepads, those sets to

fix a flat bicycle tyre.”

henry (60) Typically HEMA ...?

“It’s a shop for everyone, young or old,

rich or poor. Everyone can find what

they need at HEMA.”


“Painting things, film roll, and as you

can see, ice creams for my grand-

children.”

is HEMA typically Dutch?

“Oh absolutely, without a doubt.”

... from XCrossroads is an English-language web magazine aimed at the international community in

and around Maastricht. Sueli Brodin is the driving force behind Crossroads, something which

won her the title of Expat of the Year 2010. Read all about her favourite spot in Maastricht on

page 55. crossroadsmag.eu

Tips

p. 11 text olivia van den broek-nerixtra

xtra“there is a lot of support for entrepreneurs in holland”

True entrepreneurs will see new opportunities in every

country. But support is always welcome. In the Netherlands,

many other expats have preceded you. One of them is Ashish

Dharap. He moved to the Netherlands to work for Atos

Origin and started iKAnesys when he saw market potential

for his ideas (innovation and idea management). He sought

and found help from the Kamer van Koophandel (Chamber

of Commerce). According to Ashish Dharap: “The business

registration process was particularly smooth, which comes as

a surprise to many expats”. The Kamer van Koophandel has

recently released an English Starters Guide, which highlights

all aspects involved with starting a business. Request a free

guide at www.kvk.nl/startersguide. And he has another tip

for new entrepreneurs: “Always keep the key parameters of

your business at the top of your mind and always know your

numbers -- even better than your accountant.”

Tips

nice to meet you! X is the way to get to know the area. But if you prefer to meet face-to-face, you could join one of these meeting groups. A small selection:

iWC Eindhoven• / www.iwce.nl

iWC south Limburg• / www.iwc-sl.nl

Tilburg international Club•

www.tilburginternationalclub.com

MEETin EiNDHOVEN•

www.meetin.org/city/MEETinEINDHOVEN

www.meetup.com/EindhovenExpats/

MEETin • MAAsTriCHT

www.meetin.org/city/MEETinMAASTRICHT

Living with a Dutchie• / www.livingwithadutchie.nl

Mums and Toddlers in Eindhoven•

www.mumsandtoddlers.org

The Thistle Club of scottish Country Dancing•

www.thistleclub.nl

North American Women’s Club•

www.nawceindhoven.com

The Association of Chinese students and •

scholars in Eindhoven / www.acsse.nl

Amigos de la Cultura Hispano-Americana•

Tel. 040-246 50 05

Couchsurfing, international meetings in cities •

all over the world / www.couchsurfing.org

... from jasper de groot, director of pararius.comDo not take any chances when you are trying to find a

home. “Always start with a viewing day and view a

variety of five to ten rental properties. You will get a

great reading about what is available on the Dutch

market. Only then, hunt for properties that exactly

meet your requirements. Let your rental agency

arrange the best possible deal.”

titel xpat p. 12

xtraHolland has it ...

... a great website for internati onals who are looking

for a rental property.

- over 100,000 Dutch rental properti es available -

- all listi ngs in six languages -

- free access -

- extensive informati on on properti es -

- google maps -

- google streetview -

- internati onal oriented rental agencies -

- mobile website for iPhone -

brainport.indd 1 2-9-2010 16:53:33

xplorep. 13

DayDreaming among the leaves as if it were my own Back garDen-

“I grew up on the coast, in an arid, sandy

climate. This is why I simply adore the

green parks in the Netherlands. Lying in

the grass, I empty my mind and leave my

worries and stress behind. I often ride

my bicycle to the park like a real Dutch

person. Sometimes I will take a book, or

something to feed the ducks. This park

feels like my own back garden, I can easily

dream away the afternoon here.”

1 5

-

letitia fung was Born in hong

kong, raiseD in portugal anD has

liveD in the netherlanDs for four

years. she is communications

manager at De lage lanDen anD

she loVes stadswandelpark

eindhoVen

> 2/5 on page 21


text ioana stanescu photo boudewijn bollmann

xpat p. 14text anoek hofkens photo madeleine sars

weeksmonthsyears

“SABIC is an international company where everyone speaks English,

which has made it easy to fit in. I came to the Netherlands especially

for this job and I have enjoyed it so far. The atmosphere is open, we

all address each other by our first names, it is great! But in order to

create a life for myself I have to step out; go into town, meet new

people. The SABIC welcoming dinner (held three hours after my

arrival in the Netherlands) helped me establish my first contacts.

It immediately made me feel welcome.

Afterwards I went out and bought a map of Maastricht, where I live.

I am starting to find my way around here. But the thing that is going

to take some getting used to is the eating habits. In Colombia you

will have a breakfast fit for a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a

poor guy. This is the way things are in the Netherlands: you will eat

breakfast like a poor guy, lunch like a poor guy, and you will dine like

a king. Because I still prefer to eat later on in the evening, I have to

go shopping in time. If I want to buy a carton of milk at six o’clock in

the evening, the supermarket will have run out of milk and I will have

to go to a night shop where milk will fetch the price of a nice whisky.

I simply do not get it.

And another thing that has surprised me is the number of bicycles!

They are like flies: they are everywhere. Buying a bicycle is one of my

goals for this year. I want to adapt as well as I can because I would

like to stay here for a long time. I would not yet dare to say forever;

Colombia and Germany also have a special place in my heart. For now

I will concentrate on my work. I intend to become famous among my

colleagues.”

name

diego castaneda

age

29

place of Birth

medellin, colombia

employer

sabic (geleen)

position

technology

deVelopment engineer in

the plastics field

-

likes

intercity trains;

they feel

like business class

enjoys watching

cartoons to learn dutch

finDs it extraorDinary

that women ask

men to dance

-what is it like to work here? three expats tell their stories from their experience: as a newcomer, as someone who has Been here a while, anD as someone who intenDs to stay.

p. 15

“i want to make a

career for myself”


weeksmonthsyears

"My first time in The Netherlands: I remember arriving at the central

station in Eindhoven, carrying two heavy suitcases. Someone saw me

and helped me out. I did not even have to ask. Afterwards an elderly

man showed me the way to my hotel. I then realised how friendly and

helpful Dutch people are.

I had never lived abroad before coming to the Netherlands. One of my

colleagues from China was already working at the TU/e and he told

me there were more vacancies, so I took my chance and as you can

see I was lucky enough to get the position. The work itself does not

differ very much; the big difference lies in the fact that everything is

well-organised, especially the safety issue in the workplace. I notice

I am still used to the high work pressure in China, even after having

been away from that for a few months. Taking a break from work to

have a chat is not something I do very often. Back home it is impossi-

ble to take a long vacation. People in Holland can really enjoy life. So

I have been thinking a lot about life and work since I have been here.

I could not say if what I am doing now is something I will want to do

forever. Finding a job that suits me is one of my main goals. In China

people do not focus on the things they feel passionate about, they

just make random choices.

I would like to get to know Dutch people, but I am very shy. I feel as

if there is no common ground, that we will have nothing to talk about,

because of our different backgrounds. I think it would be good for me

to learn some Dutch. I will be staying for 12 months, but who knows,

perhaps I can stay longer. I would like that. Holland is very clean and

quiet, but the shops should definitely be open every Sunday. I like it

here, even though I do not feel Dutch at all. One time I bought a

herring and fried it; I think that says it all."

name

Qi wang

age

29

place of Birth

china

employer

tu/e, eindhoVen

position

postdoctoral

chemical engineering

-

has DiscovereD

that chinese food in

the netherlands is not

chinese food

is amazeD By

the dutch propensity

for interrupting

each other during

conVersations

woulD like to

find clothes that will fit.

trousers especially

as they will often

be too long

p. 17

"people in holland

can really enjoy

life"


weeksmonthsyears

"I fell in love with the Netherlands when I came to a secondary

school in Zuid Limburg for a year as an exchange student in 2000.

My Hungarian classmates did not understand why I went to Holland;

they thought I went for the drugs, or because I might be gay. But

that was not true; to me, this was the land of optimism, freedom, and

opportunity. A feeling that was only strengthened by the experience.

After I got my Master’s degree in medicine in my home country, I

flew back to start a life here in Maastricht. I got a great deal of help

from my host family in Stein, with whom I had stayed during my

exchange year. They also helped me with the Dutch language, which

I speak fluently now. I still see them every Saturday and I love them

just as much as I love my Hungarian family. My birth mum has had

some trouble dealing with this. But I see it as something that enriches

my life here, because I want to stay. The Dutch mentality matches

my personality. The Dutch are more broad-minded, they are more

assertive, and work-wise you can get ahead if you perform well as an

individual. This works well for me. I lead a better life here than I did

in Hungary. Over there a young doctor would be working his fingers

to the bone for € 500 a month, after tax, something which I think is

just depressing. I realise I am continuing the braindrain by staying

here, but I do not feel a personal responsibility for the situation the

country is in. I need to think of my own life, and I am happy over

here. But I will always feel connected to my native country. Until I

am buried six feet under I will always be a Hungarian. My children

will be born in the Netherlands, but they will become familiar with

their father’s culture as well. As a doctor I would like to specialise as a

GI-doctor (gastrointestinal) and I would like to continue to work as a

House Officer at the Atrium Medisch Centrum in Brunssum, and as a

sports physician at sports events. Only having a girlfriend could make

me happier."

name

daniel keszthelyi

age

26

place of Birth

pécs, hungary

employer

faculty of health,

medicine and life science,

maastricht

university function

doctor of medicine

-

likes

erwtensoep (dutch pea soup

eaten in winter)

misses

offal

Believes

it is a sign of prosperity

that so many dutch people

play sports

woulD like to

Vote during

the national elections

p. 19

“the dutch mentality

matches my personality”

ARE YOU DUTCH PROOF?

text ioana stanescu illustration marieke van de graft typically dutch p. 20

p. 21

In the Netherlands you will find chips with mayonnaise, vast landscapes, canals and boats. But this is not all there is to the Netherlands. Our pop quiz will test your general knowledge, but beware: we will not go easy on you. Good luck!

❶ how many people in the world speak

dutch as their native language?

A. 16 Million.

B. 23 Million.

C. 25 Million.

D. 30 Million.

❷ when a secondary school student

passes his/her final exams after much

blood, sweat and tears, then …

A. the graduates will go away on an excursion.

B. he/she will fly the Dutch flag, with their school bag

and all the books, from their bedroom window.

C. the school teachers will cook their students a fancy meal.

D. his/her name will appear in the local newspaper.

❸ how many bicycles does an average

dutch person lose because of theft in

the course of his/her life?

A. Around 20, with a bit of bad luck.

B. One or two at most.

C. Exactly as many as he/she steals back.

D. All the bicycles are common property, so there is no

theft.

❹ how many millions of euros do the

dutch spend on 'drop' (liquorice) each year?

A. 2 Million Euros per year.

B. 10 Million Euros per year.

C. 135 Million Euros per year.

D. 300 Million Euros per year.

➎ why do some dutch people eat their

sandwiches with knife and fork?

A. It is etiquette.

B. They do not like to use their hands when they eat.

C. It makes them eat more slowly which benefits the

digestive system.

D. Because the Dutch like symmetry and order, even

on their plates.

❻ when a baby is born, the new parents

will treat their friends and family to ...

A. Dutch rusk with aniseed sprinkles.

B. apples.

C. a cheese board.

D. a glass of jenever.

❼ you are a guest at a dutch family home.

when you go to the toilet, you will find …

A. a birthday calendar.

B. a standing toilet.

C. a bowl of peppermints.

D. a bidet to rinse your behind.

❽ to what do the dutch attribute their

thrifty nature?

A. To their moods, brought on by the weather.

B. To their upbringing.

C. The Dutch are not really thrifty but they do not

actively dispute the prejudice.

D. To Calvinism.

❾ why is 'carnaval' celebrated mainly in

brabant & limburg?

A. Because Northerners are more subdued in nature.

B. Because Northerners think that 'Carnaval' is a

proletarian affair.

C. Because 'Carnaval' is originally a Catholic

celebration, and the North of the Netherlands was a

Protestant region historically.

D. Because Northerners celebrate 'Carnaval’s'

counterpart 'Luilakken'.

❿ what would a 'brabants kwartiertje'

mean?

A. A casual meeting in the lobby at the office.

B. A morning coffee.

C. When a scheduled appointment starts later.

D. Waiting for the delayed public transport in the

Brabant region.

p. 22

❶ A For the Flemish and the Surinamese, Dutch is

their native language as well.

❷ B Every year in June you will see flags and bags

flying happily in the wind all across the country.

❸ A Unfortunately, stolen bikes are a frequently

occurring phenomenon, especially in the larger

cities.

❹ C This comes down to e 8.40 euros on average

per person.

❺ D It has never been scientifically proved, but

instinctively true.

❻ A Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles are

popularly called ‘beschuit met muisjes’ (little

mice). During the Middle Ages, women were

served aniseed after childbirth because it was

believed to stimulate lactation.

❼ A This will remind you of people’s birthdays in

time, because in the Netherlands, birthdays

are a big thing. Remember not just to congra-

tulate the birthday girl or boy, but also their

partner, parents, and close friends.

❽ D It refers to a certain lifestyle: sober, subdued,

frugal.

❾ C Protestants abhor debauchery.

❿ C Brabanders are easygoing and therefore not

as punctual as the people living in the North

of the country.

Oops, sorry, a pathetic result! Luckily you have this

magazine full of tips and stories. Venture into the lion’s

den (not wearing wooden shoes, please, but fashionable

footwear like the rest of us) and explore. No need for

Dutch courage, simply start your day with a glass of

milk, and having a kroketje* at the snack bar for lunch

will help you get in the mood for Dutchness.

You are on your way to fathoming the down-to-earth

and subdued Dutch, but we would not exactly call you a

connoisseur. We tend to hold back on the compliments,

but you knew that already.

Bravo, our hats off to you! Our quiz is not easy, so you

have amazed us. We are even feeling a little as if so-

meone were taking us for a ride... are you sure you are

not…You’re Kees, aren’t you! Very funny!

the answers

the score

* A deep-fried snack, with a warm, beef ragout filling and a crispy breadcrumb coating.

suggested reading:

X magazine

The Undutchabels - Colin White & Laurie Boucke

www.holland.com/global

typically dutch

titelxpatp. 23

nice people anD great fooD make me feel like home-

“My wife and I would drive past this

restaurant every week, on our way to the

gym. It looked so ‘local’ that we did not

dare go in, in spite of our curiosity. We

finally ventured into the lion’s den. Since

then we have come here on a regular

basis. The service is personal; they know

us and our tastes very well. I rarely see

the wine menu these days because I like

the way they keep surprising me.”

2 5

-

yasushi kusume was Born in

japan, anD has liveD in the

netherlanDs since 1990, with a

Brief stint in vienna.

he is vice-presiDent of philips Design

anD he loVes restaurant

de cuijt, burg. termeerstr. 50

mierlo

> 3/5 on page 33

xplorep. 23


text ioana stanescu photo boudewijn bollmann

titel xpat p. 24

Living the green lifeYou do the best you can. You’re in a job that suits you and your career perfectly. Now all you need is the house that goes with the job and more importantly: your family. You’re looking for space, lots of green, real durability, expressive architecture and if at all possible all of this about 10 minutes cycling from Eindhoven City Centre. Strijp R is the answer to all your wishes. This former industrial area, is going to be developed

www.strijpr.nl

into an attractive, spacious and first and foremost, green residential area on the edge of a large park. This makes Strijp R a perfection location for a green and prosperous life. Sales will start before the end of this year. Building will start in 2011 and the first of the residences will be yielded in 2012.Please check the website for the latest information.

text franke elshout photo marielle leendersp. 25

about the creators of these recipes:

For eight years Franke Elshout and Maarten Lockefeer

have been working together on a range of unique projects

in which food and drink have always played a central role.

hollandsekeuken-Dutch cuisine is not famous for its culinary fireworks. a mistake. treat yourself to these mouth-watering ultra-Dutch sensations. tickle those tasteBuDs!

Franke was a student at Design Academy Eindhoven

and puts her heart and soul into her profession as a

Food Designer. You can check out their company

Keukenconfessies at www.keukenconfessies.nl.

a.k.a. Dutch kitchen

typically dutch

p. 26

ingredients

For the crust

200 grams flour / 200 grams butter /

150 grams sugar / 1 egg / a pinch of salt

For the filling

1.5 kilograms Elstar or Goudreinet apples /

½ teaspoon cardamom (in powdered form, or open the pods and

grind the seeds) / 1 tablespoon custard powder / a few tablespoons

of sugar, to taste / grated zest of orange or lemon if desired

For the vanilla foam

1 teaspoon vanilla sugar / a tablespoon custard powder

mixed with a splash of milk / 200 ml whipping cream

recipe

1. Prepare the crust using the butter, the

egg, and the flour.

2. Peel and dice the apples.

Mix these with the other ingredients.

Choose a few small-sized baking tins (or

small flower pots lined with baking paper, or

old tins).

3. Whip the cream with the cold custard mix

and the vanilla sugar, or ladle into a Gourmet

Whip, and pipe onto the warm apple pies.

mini speculaasjes-apple pies with carDamom anD vanilla sugar

serves 10

p. 27

This is not really 'vla', which is a runny Dutch custard, but rather a pudding.

it is typically Dutch: inexpensive but yummy. A guaranteed success thanks to the instant pudding mixes.

ingredients

2 litres whole milk /

½ packet of an assortment traditional

Dutch biscuits, for instance:

bitterkoekjes (macaroons) sprits

(buttercookies), stroopwafels

(caramel filled wafers), bokkenpootjes

(chocolate dipped log cookies) /

4 different 0.5 litre instant pudding

powders / 1 packet good red fruit jelly

or gelatine to mix with redcurrants,

fresh or frozen / redcurrant sauce

from a bottle or packet

recipe

1. Crumble the biscuits and press them down into a small cake tin,

a glass, or a recycled plastic pudding container.

2. Prepare one type of pudding after another (allow each layer to set in the

fridge before you make the next). Follow the instructions, but use 0.45 litres

of milk instead of the 0.5 indicated on the packet.

3. Start with one pudding flavour and spread a layer over the biscuit crumble.

Then continue your layers with a selection of lovely colours and tasty flavours

such as 'bitterkoekjes', semolina, custard, strawberry, mocha.

4. The last layer should be a good red fruit jelly or a layer of gelatine with

redcurrants and redcurrant juice.

5. Leave your trifles to set in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours.

6. Serve with any left-over biscuits and some redcurrant sauce.

vla-flip trifle with a crumBle of traDitional Dutch Biscuits

serves 10

typically dutch

Pure strength of interior design

The art of temptation

Dutch language training for highly skilled migrants &knowlegde workers.

Small groupsEvening classesEmphasis on speakingEffective and affordableIncluding intake and testing

Roelofspad 10 / 5645 JG EindhovenT. +31 (0) 40 211 31 01

[email protected] / www.easynl.nl

p. 30

09.00am starting tHE daY

Start your day with a good breakfast

at Bagel & Juice, the place to find

freshly baked bagels and healthy

juices. You will find the café in the

cosiest little street (Kleine Berg) in

Eindhoven. It is a favourite haunt for

Design Academy students.

10.00am sHopping

Shopping for the mainstream brands

can be done in the Rechtestraat and

Piazza. But if you want something

special, then lose yourself in one of

the cute little shops in the Bergen.

Do not skip Magda (young women’s

fashion with a twist) on the Berg-

straat, Heijmans Delicatessen (Spa-

nish, French, and Italian delicacies)

on the Kleine Berg, or Motta (art and

design bookshop) on the Grote Berg.

12.00pm a dasH oF art

Bang in the middle of the city

centre is the Witte Dame. This white

building used to be a Philips factory,

but today it is home to a range of

different institutions. In addition to

the library and Design Academy, you

will find MU here, where you can

see contemporary art mixed with fa-

shion, architecture, and new media.

At the Krabbedans (on the left side

of the building) you can look at as

well as buy or borrow art.

13.00pm LunCH in tHE CitY

To the right of the Witte Dame

building you will find another icon

of the city: the light tower. On the

ground floor you will find Grand

Café Usine where you can tuck into

a tasty lunch. Usine is well-known

for its urban and international

outlook. Do not miss the beautiful

bathrooms!

14.00pm MuLtiCuLturaLisM

In Eindhoven’s best-known market

square (Woenselse Markt- Kruis-

straat) you would think you were

somewhere abroad. With more than

500 market stalls you will find a

host of exotic foodstuffs, in addition

to the more standard market fare.

Feeling peckish after this? Then have

lunch at one of the international

eateries in the neighbourhood. We

recommend Sang Lee Rotishop at

number 206, Kruisstraat, for Eastern

and Surinamese delicacies.

The market is held Saturdays from

10.00am - 5.00pm.

xploreeindhoven-einDhoven has lots of great shops, fashionaBle cafés, anD places to eat. anD shoulD you grow tireD of the urBan Bustle, this southern Dutch town offers plenty of Beautiful places to escape to. check these out!

p. 31 xplore text olga van straten photo maria rudnaya / olga ganzha

15.00pm rELaXing

After all the hustle and bustle in the

city you can find peace and quiet by

taking a walk in the municipal park,

Stadswandelpark. Take a look at the

thirty sculptures scattered among

the trees. Adjacent to the park you

will find the Genneper Parken.

A natural area offering a range of

indigenous plants. Take a look

around the eco-farm de Genneper

Hoeve. Do sit down for a drink at

Paviljoen Genneper Parken! You can

also rent a bike in the Rijwielshop.

17.00pm LazY aFtErnoon

Ons has a unique dining balcony

and its lovely sidewalk terrace looks

out onto the city’s largest church,

the Catharinakerk. In this snug little

eatery you can spend a lazy, relaxed

afternoon. A varied menu for vegeta-

rians and meat eaters. Plus delicious

desserts like the home-made ‘Death

by chocolate’-cake, which has not

been named that way for nothing …

18.00pm sigHtsEEing strijp

Strijp-S, the former Philips indus-

trial area is fast becoming the city’s

creative heartbeat. Check out the

beautiful old industrial buildings

where today’s designers and artists

have found a place to work. Strijp-S

is also revealing itself as a Valhalla

for Urban Sports. This is where Monk

is situated (the Netherlands’ first

bouldering accommodation) and

Area 51 as well (a 3000 sqm skating

park).

19.00pm WinE & dinE in stYLE

KB 23 is a modern restaurant in an

old setting. You can look down into

the wine cellar through the glass

plates in the floor. And do not forget

to look up as well, where you will see

the old beams way up into the top

of the roof. Restaurant/winebar

JIU.NU offers an international menu

with an Asian touch, and where you

can taste as well as buy a wide range

of fine wines. Key words: exclusive,

modern, professional. "Life's too

short to drink bad wine!" is their

fitting motto. The place to go to for

a good wine recommendation.

21.30pm puB CraWL

O'Sheas Irish Pub: loud and rough,

as a real pub should be. Order a pint

of lager, assume your fake Irish ac-

cent, and join in the fun. The pub is

a favourite hang-out for tourists, but

you will also run into fellow expats

regularly. Cheers!

22.30pm LEt tHE nigHt BEgin

There are not many clubs in Eind-

hoven, because here, the mentality

of ‘let’s get these tables out of the

way so we can dance' reigns. So this

is what they do at cafés Berlage and

Hoogste Tijd. During the summer

months the parties run on into the

streets, creating a warm and fun

atmosphere outside.

… good nigHt, sLEEp tigHt…

Best Western Premier Art Hotel is

situated in the Lichttoren, an old

industrial building formerly owned

by Philips. Perfectly located in the

heart of the city and with its own

restaurant and world bar. Easily

the trendiest place to sleep in all of

Eindhoven. And the safest one: right

across the street from the police

station ...

p. 32xplore

09.00am

➊ Bagel & Juice / Kleine Berg 19

open from 08.00 am.

10.00am

➊ kleine Berg, ➋ grote Berg &

➌ Bergstraat

Some shops on the Bergen are closed

on Mondays.

12.00pm

➍ Witte dame / Emmasingel

➍ mu / Monday-friday 10.00am-5.00pm.

Admission 2 Euros, free on wednesday

afternoons.

➍ krabbedans tuesday- Sunday

12.00-5.00pm, fridays until 9.00pm.

Admission free.

13.00pm

➎ usine / Lichttoren 6

open from 9.00am. Saturday and

Sunday from 10.00am.

MARCONILAAN

BOSC

HD

IJK

KR

UIS

STR

AAT

BOSC

HD

IJK

ZWA

AN

STRAAT

NOORD BRABANTLAAN

HASTELWEGHASTELWEG

STRIJPSESTRAAT

CEDERLAAN

KASTANJELAAN

GLASL

AAN

FREDRIKLAANMATHILDELAAN

EMM

ASI

NG

EL

WILLEMSTRAAT

DIL

LEN

BU

RG

STR

AAT

LIMB

UR

GLA

AN

KAREL D

E GROTE

LAAN

KAREL D

E GROTE

LAAN

HOO

GST

RAAT

EDENSTRAAT

VESTDIJK

MARKT

KEIZERSGRACHT

KLEIN

E BER

G

GROTE BERG

BERGSTRAAT

WAL

KERKSTRAAT

DR. SCHAEPMANLAANBOUTENSLAAN

LEOSTRAAT

AA

LSTE

RW

EG

HEEZERWEG PIUSLA

AN

GELDROPSEWEG

JER

OE

N B

OS

CH

LAA

N

FUUTLAAN

JOH

N F

. KEN

NED

YLA

AN

ORPHEUSLAAN

EUROPALAAN

TILBURGSEWEG ONZE LIEVE VROUWSTRAAT

VAN OLDENBARNEVELTLAAN

EISENHOWERLAAN

STATIONSWEG

TONGELRESESTRAAT

PARKLAAN

INSULINDELAAN

LEEND

ERW

EG

ST. JORISLAAN

PhilipsComplex R

RichtingValkenswaard

Richting Weert,Maastricht en Venlo

Richting Weert,Maastricht, Venlo

en Antwerpen

RichtingGeldrop

RichtingHelmond

Richting‘s-Hertogenbosch,

Amsterdam en Nijmegen

Richting‘s-Hertogenbosch,

Amsterdam, Nijmegenen Tilburg

PhilipsComplex S

14.00pm

➏ Woenselse markt / Kruisstraat

➏ sang lee rotishop / Kruisstraat 206

15.00pm

➐ stadswandelpark, ➐ genneper

Parken, ➐ genneper hoeve

Tongelreeppad 1 / www.genneperhoeve.nl

➐ Paviljoen genneper Parken

Antoon Coolenlaan 2a

www.paviljoengenneperparken.nl

Closed 20 December-28 february 2011

➑ rijwielshop / Stationsplein 22

Rental € 6.50 per day, deposit € 50.00.

17.00pm

➒ ons / Kerkstraat 16

18.00pm

➓ strijp-s, monk bouldergym

Strijp S, Entrance 3 Glaslaan,

Building SBX. www.monkbouldergym.nl

area 51 / Klokgebouw 51

www.area51skatepark.nl

19.00pm

➊ kB 23 / Kleine Berg 23

Closed Mondays.

JIu. nu / Willemstraat 9

Closed tuesdays.

21.30pm

o’sheas Irish Pub

Jan van Lieshoutstraat 9

7 days a week: 12:00pm till 02:00am

(Saturday and Sunday till 04.00am).

22.30pm

hoogste Tijd / Vrijstraat 38

During weekends, doors close at

4.00 am.

➊ Berlage / Kleine Berg 16

11.30am-02.00am.

oct-May closed for Sunday lunch

Best Western Premier art hotel

Lichttoren 22, www.arthoteleindhoven.com

➊➋

➌

➍

➎

➏

➑

➒

➓

➐

In the city is where it all happens. There you fi nd the thrill in the air inviting you to enjoy the good things in life. That’s the place to be. You’ll experience this in Hartje Eindhoven where living in the city will be raised to a higher level. Large and small. Luxurious and upbeat. To rent and to buy. In all different atmospheres the world has to offer. Building work has already started and sales begin in February 2011. So for all you people out there who want to come and live in Eindhoven for a short or longer period, Hartje Eindhoven is yours for the taking!

WHAT’S

THAT’S

9.30 till 18.309.30 till 21.009.30 till 17.00

POP kapperCosmopolitic hair fashion, professional stylists and colourists.

Our products:Sebastian, Sassoon, Redken, Label M& our own POP haircare!

Open: mon-thur fri sat

de

sign

ww

w.k

oke

tt.nl

EindhovenCatharinaplein 255611 DE Eindhoven040 - 283 26 20

www.cecilevaneeden.nl

MaastrichtRechtstraat 806221 EL Maastricht043 - 325 10 20

[email protected]

International jewellery-design and craftsmanship

water Brings me Back to the coast where i grew up-

“Water always reminds me of my own

country. I grew up near the sea where

I could hear the seagulls every day.

That is why I love this café so much. It’s

nothing like a typical Dutch place. This

bar is really open and light. Sitting on the

terrace I can not only see the water, but

also the new city and the old one. In the

summertime you can get a chaise longue.

I like to bring a book and relax. It gives me

that real Southern European feeling I love

so much.”

3 5

p. 35

-

cláudia Vaz was Born anD raiseD

in portugal anD has liveD in

the netherlanDs for 13 years.

she is a Business Development

manager at Dsm anD she loVes

café zuid, plein 1992 15,

maastricht

> 4/5 on page 43


xplore text dagmar steins photo boudewijn bollmann

p. 36

harry de Vos (54, dutch)

senior vice presiDent human resources

at asml, workeD anD liveD in sweDen for

three years

-

Why sweden?

I got a great job at the Swedish company Elektrolux.

What did you like about sweden?

The ambiance in the summer, which is very lively.

People are happy: they play, have barbecues and

have fun in the park.

What did you dislike?

The dark winters, the retreat indoors. The lack of

light has a big impact on everything, especially your

mood.

Biggest difference with the Netherlands:

The light. And the flexible working hours. In Sweden,

there are more arrangements for employees with

children. I had to get used to people leaving at three

in the afternoon to pick up their kids from school,

and then to continue their work at home at eight in

the evening.

Best experience as an expat?

My 50th birthday, which turned out to be a real cele-

bration in Sweden. My colleagues had organised a big

reception with speeches and gifts. It was quite special.

What did you miss?

A social life. As a commuter, travelling home every

weekend, I was often alone during the week.

Typically swedish?

Snus. Horrible. Even during meetings, people will put

those little tobacco-bags in their mouths. It smells like

cat litter.

Who has the coolest attitude?

The Swedes. They may not always be cheerful, and

they can be quite distant. But they are great to have

drinks with, once they get to know you. Swedes really

love to get drunk, especially during Midsummer´s Eve.

Then they all party as if they had not properly lived

for seven months.

xpat vs xpat

“the swedes really

liVe only fiVe months

a year”

p. 37 text ties van de werff photo madeleine sarsxpat

pär broman (29, swedish)

a Design engineer at asml, has workeD anD

liveD in the netherlanDs for five years

-

Why the Netherlands?

I was an exchange-student and met a girl here. Since

we both have great jobs, we decided to stay.

What do you like about the Netherlands?

Life is very efficient. There is a lot to see and do within a

short distance. And you can ride your bike everywhere.

What do you dislike?

People here are impatient in conversations. If you do

not start speaking immediately, someone else will pick

up and you will never get your say in meetings. This

has taken some getting used to.

Biggest difference with sweden:

The space, and the amount of people living in it. Even

the distance between the shelves in the supermarket

is smaller here.

strangest experience as an expat?

'Carnaval'. I tried to join in, but I really did not under-

stand it. And getting my contract. For my contract,

I needed health insurance. For that, I needed a bank

account. But in order to get a bank account, I needed

a contract. Weird.

What do you miss?

It is difficult to buy an affordable, good-size piece

of fish. Then again, we Swedes can always go to the

IKEA-food shop.

Typically Dutch?

Family days. In Sweden, we do not organise family

days, apart from Christmas and Midsummer´s Eve.

Who has the coolest attitude?

The Dutch are more open and easier to approach.

We are more reserved. But we do stop and think

about what we are going to say, instead of just saying

something.

Home sweet home, or, is the grass really

greener on the other side? X put the question to the test:

Harry de Vos and Pär Broman compare and

contrast their homeland and expat-country.

The Netherlands VS Sweden. And vice versa.

“the dutch are

not patient enough”

text jane hardjono photo mike roelofs xpat p. 38

a nightmare for some

I had been asked many times why I wanted to leave

Melbourne. Why would I want to leave my job and

the whole career I had built there? And what about

my brilliant friends and awesome family? When

I decided to leave Australia four years ago, I was

ready to say a permanent goodbye to the advertising

industry and do something completely different.

I wanted to know whether, as a single girl, I could

be really independent. I wanted to stop working for

'the man', be my own boss and become a freelance

writer. My destination was Amsterdam. On the way

I met a lovely young Dutchman and took a detour

via Eindhoven. I never left.

dreamers: my kind of people

In Australia, I never belonged to a tribe as such.

I was more of a friend collector. From the minute I

arrived in Eindhoven I knew I would not take on an

instant friendship group. It was going to take effort

to continue my careful curation of friendships. Five

months after arriving, I married the lovely young

Dutchman. Beyond his friends and family, I met some

inter-national people through my work. When I took

up some volunteer work at the Temporary Art Centre

(TAC) I started to meet locals interested in the arts

and culture; people actively exploring their personal

philosophies. I formed a network made up of bona fide

Eindhovenaars and other Dutchies, as well as some

English, Germans and South Africans.

a dream come true

A couple of years ago I was out with two very good

friends – Dutch girls I had befriended via TAC. Over

dinner we all said we would like to do something

entrepreneurial, or maybe try some individual projects.

We all joked that we should stop dreaming and just do

our own things, leave our jobs. Hey, we could share an

office!

Since April this year I have been sharing an office in

Eindhoven with these very two girls. And I am a free-

lance writer. I saw one of my office-mates get married

and she will soon become a mother. I feel so privileged

to be a witness to such important milestones in her life.

What is interesting to me is when you get to a certain

age, people do not want more friends. But these Dutch

girls chose me; now they form part of my immediate

community and they encourage me to be my best self,

the way any other friend would do – whether I would

be in Melbourne, Paris or even New York. However, in

this version of girl-meets-boy-and-they-live-happily-

ever-after, all the girl’s dreams come true … in

Eindhoven.

-city of Dreams: a true story in iii partsBy jane harDjono

i eindhoven

p. 39

Jane hardjono (35) said goodbye to

Australia to become a writer.

while travelling she met her husband

and stayed in Eindhoven where she

started the Dossier, documenting the

pursuit of culture and the creative sector

in Eindhoven. Jane’s motto is: “Embrace

wherever you are.”

Check www.thedossier.nl

p. 40

olivia van den Broek- neri (31) is

a native Californian who earned a

B.A. in Journalism from Pepperdine

university, and moved to the

Netherlands after marrying her

Dutch husband. She is a regular

contributor to publications for

expats living in the Netherlands,

including ACCESS Magazine and

ExpatGuideHolland.com.

text olivia van den broek-neri photo michiel landeweerd xpatp. 41

Once the initial excitement of moving to a new coun-

try wore off, I found myself yearning for friendships

like those I had left behind in my native California.

Over time I met people, but even my extroverted self

found it difficult to form friendships. As understan-

ding as my husband was, there were times when I

needed to have someone with whom I could just talk;

I needed friends.

hello, my name is…

I did not know where to begin. The last time I was

forced to make new friends was when I went off to

college; but everyone was in the same situation and

was eager to make new friends. Luckily, I disco-

vered the International Women’s Club of Eindhoven

(IWCE). Finally, a solution!

Upon entering my first IWCE general meeting at

Thermae Son, my 'Visitor' name tag attracted a

swarm of friendly faces asking lots of questions.

“Where are you from? How long have you lived here?

Do you like living here? Don’t you miss California?”

These women seemed genuinely interested in lear-

ning my story and interested in forming friendships

with me. I was in the right place!

i was busy in no time

The IWCE offers many activities, which can easily fill

anyone’s social calendar. At my first meeting, I eagerly

picked from the 13 special interest groups and before

long was participating in the bi-weekly Dutch and

Spanish Conversation groups, and attending Gourmet

Club gatherings. I also became the editor of the club’s

newsletter.

But there are also informal gatherings. Over lunch and

coffee dates, my new friends and I catch up on recent

travels and upcoming dinner parties. We also take day

trips to must-see attractions such as Keukenhof, and

stores that sell American and British food items. In

the process, friendships are formed. Even though we

come from different backgrounds – and 34 different

countries – we all face the same problems, such as the

hard 'g' in Dutch and the seemingly constant rain. But

we deal with it together and we bond.

one year later

A lot has changed since that first meeting I atten-

ded one year ago. Frequent lunch dates, barbecues,

potlucks, and outings have resulted in long-lasting

friendships. My husband often asks, “How do you find

so much to talk about?” I respond: “Oh, there’s always

something to talk about.” And lucky for me, there is

always someone who will listen!

-moving is one thing; making a home is another. By olivia van Den Broek-neri

making my home

p. 42

xploretransfer-x loves einDhoven, maastricht, anD everything in Between the two towns. how Better to explore the area than By Bike? 80 kilometres, just you, the surrounDings, anD your Bike.

maastricht.

p. 43 xplore text wies van kats photo madeleine sars

eindhoven.

This route largely follows the Zuid Willems-

vaart canal. No hills, no traffic lights, and no

traffic! The only things you will pass are the

odd fisherman and other cyclists or hikers.

Sometimes you will have to leave the canal

behind you for a bit, but if you ride back and

keep the canal to your side, you cannot go

wrong.

Starting in Eindhoven, leave the city by the

Aalsterweg, which turns into the Maastrichter-

weg at a certain point. When you cross the

Dutch-Belgian border you will be on the

Sint-Odillialaan (N748). Keep following the

N748 until you cross the railway tracks. You

will get to the Venderstraat where you cross

a bridge across the Zuid Willemsvaart. There

you can turn onto the cycle path alongside

the canal. Keep the canal to your left until

you pass through Bocholt where you can

cross the canal. Stay as close as you can to

the canal and keep it to your right.

Near Neeroeteren you will pass ‘t Eilandje

(www.het-eilandje.be). time for a hearty

lunch with a great view! Then continue

to follow the canal. You will find signs and

markers that will direct you to Maastricht

alongside the cycle path here.

titel xpat p. 44

Call the Rabobank Expat Desk at (40) 293 64 93.e-mail: [email protected]

Rabobank.

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Rabobank... expat the best, get the best.Arranging all your financial needs in a new country can be overwhelming and stressful.

A new environment, a new culture and different habits.

In order to help expatriates in the Netherlands with their specific questions and needs the Rabobank has

set up a specialized expatriate service, the Rabobank Expat Desk.

Specialized staff are on hand to make the transition to the monetary system in the Netherlands smooth

and efficient.

170x240 advertentie Rabobank ENG.ps:advertentie 06-08-2010 11:13 Pagina 1

p. 45

no worries aBout work in my secret garDen-

“Being a big fan of contemporary art,

the Van Abbe museum is definitively my

‘secret garden.’ I first visited the museum

when I was in Eindhoven for a conference.

Now I come here twice a year and every

time I discover something new. What I like

about coming here is that it gives me time

to discover myself … and to not worry

about work. I get to think about what this

painting means to me ... and I don’t have

to explain why I do or do not like it. It’s

a time slot for me and not for others. It

makes me feel somewhat at home.”

4 5

-

mahdi triki was Born in tunisia

anD has liveD in the netherlanDs

for 3 years. he is a senior scientist

at philips research laBoratories anD

loVes the Van abbe museum,

bilderdijklaan 10, eindhoVen

> 5/5 on page 55


xplore text olivia van den broek-neri photo boudewijn bollmann

p. 46typically dutch

Queen's day celebratons

"long liVe the Queen"

p. 47

dressedin dutch

Queen’s day

30 april

orangE

The best-known Dutch fan

of the House of Orange

is Johan Vlemmix: “On

Queen’s Day we celebrate

the birthday of the queen.

It is a celebration of

solidarity. Everyone will

dress up in orange, the

colour that symbolises the

Royal Family. The country

will be teeming with

festivities. Parties. Fairs.

You name it. There’s no

escaping from it. People

who do not celebrate

Queen’s Day simply do not

appreciate the fun things

in life.”

football madness

Very often

rEd, WHitE, BLaCK

Rick Vijfwinkel: “Being a

supporter of PSV has been

part of my upbringing. The

PSV slogan is “Eendracht

maakt macht”, united we

stand, something which is

certainly true. When eve-

ryone is wearing their PSV

shirts, it increases your

sense of unity. You will

recognise each other on

your way to the stadium.

When I wear the shirt

I feel like a proud Eind-

hovenaar. And when PSV

wins, it’s simply the best.”

prince carnaVal

6-8 march 2011*

tradition

Marcel Zeegers - Prince

Carnaval St.Pieter, Maas-

tricht: “The 'Carnaval' is

a three-day Catholic cele-

bration right before Lent;

time to let your hair down

once more. As a Prince you

lead the celebrations and

you have the most intense

experience. Because you

have to get everyone in-

volved in the partying. You

are elected Prince and it is

a one-off experience. The

traditional outfit reflects

the nature of the celebrati-

ons: it is exuberant.”

* dates vary every year

sinterklaas

5 december

MagiC

Lex Coolen - 'Sinterklaas'

Helmond (born to play

Sint): “I simply love the

magic of the 'Sinterklaas'

celebrations. On 5

December, 'Sinterklaas'

celebrates his birthday

in the Netherlands by

pampering all the children

with presents. It is a fairy-

tale, a tradition in which

everyone is involved.

'Sinterklaas' is a catholic

bishop, which is why he

wears these clothes. Even

though my 'Sinterklaas'

role is an act, this is pre-

cisely the time when I feel

more myself than ever.”

text caroline van schubert / ioana stanescu / anoek hofkens photo michiel landeweerd

p. 48

football madness

"united we stand"

prince carnaVal

"alaaf!"

p. 49

"hoor wie klopt daar, kinderen?"

(traditional welcoming song

for 'sinterklaas')

typically dutch

p. 50

yes, it'shomemade!

Did you know that DSM develops

and produces many products

that improve our way of living?

Its end markets include human

and animal nutrition and health,

personal care, pharmaceuticals,

automotive, coatings and paint,

electrical and electronics, life

protection and housing.

A 'vlaai' is not a pie or a tart.

Do not dare to call the pride of

Limburg by the wrong name.

Before you know it, they will

be hurling one at you. And that

would be a waste because they

are unbelievably tasty. Even

though these days you can buy

them anywhere, the genuine

one and only 'vlaai' you buy in

Limburg is still the best.

Brand, the oldest beer brewery in

the Netherlands, was a purveyor

to the Royal Household by order

of her majesty the Queen during

the 1960s. So we can safely

assume that even Queen Beatrix

has tasted it. Our conclusion

therefore: this Limburg beer

must be fit for a queen. Sound

appetising? Grab one! Cheers.

dsm, connecting life anD material sciences

tuck into a limburg tart(vlaai)

brand beer, the Beer limBurg is prouD to Brew

Origin: Limburg

price: € 10,00; Luxury varieties such as

the tiramisu 'vLaai': € 18,00

Origin: WijLre, 1871

prices range frOm € 0,60 in shOps

tO € 2,00 in the pub

Origin: sOuth Limburg 1902

price: divers

typically dutch

DS

M B

IoM

ED

ICA

L

p. 51

-'gezellig', tasty, Beautiful anD innovative; BraBant anD limBurg are all of these. six top quality homegrown items.

Not many people know it, but

thanks to ASML our lives have

become a lot more comfortable.

Because the chips in our compu-

ters, telephones (iPhones), tele-

visions, and other gadgets such

as the iPod and the iPad can only

be produced by the ASML chip

machines. It is all very technical

and it is not something we need

to fully understand, but what it

boils down to is this: we should

thank ASML for their ingenuity.

Gerard Philips set up the first

light bulb factory in Eindhoven

only to develop into one of the

world’s biggest multinationals.

This ‘home and garden’ product

is not just a symbol of Eindhoven,

but thanks to the rise and rise of

LED lights it will be a museum

piece soon. Keep them some-

where safe. The little factory still

exists, located at Emmasingel 31.

Design duos are often ‘winning

teams.’ How they do it, no-one

knows, but it is a fact that they

do exceptionally well. The same

goes for Miriam and Niels; their

designs are exhibited in New

York, London, and Korea for good

reasons. Worldwide fame thanks

to some unique pieces that will

make people think. Design with a

message, and a price tag.

asml chip machine, making our lives easier

Bright lights: the philips light bulb

Dutch Design By studio van eijk van der lubbe

Origin: veLdhOven, 1984

estimated price: 25-35 miLLiOn eurOs

Origin: eindhOven, 1891

prices in 2010: 40 W € 0,40; 200 W € 1,60

future price: museum WOrthy

Origin: geLdrOp / prOduct: cOW chair

estimated price: € 1680

handmade tO Order: WWW.Ons-adres.nL

text ioana stanescu photo maria rudnaya / olga ganzha

AS

ML

HA

NS

vA

N D

ER

MA

RS

p. 52

The designers Nawie Kuiper (27), Branko popovic

(27), and Laurens Hamacher (26) set up their

shop fashionclash in maastricht in 2009 to sell their

own creations and to offer other young designers a

platform as well. the requirements: art, fashion, and

design should ‘clash’. as a non-profit foundation they

have made a name for themselves in the region, with

their own magazine, but an annual fashion event as

well, where top class fashion and product designers

from different countries come and present their

work. their fashion and design top 5 in the southeast

netherlands:

xperts

1. dutch design week eindhoVen

Laurens: "The presentation of The Best of Graduates

during this event is what makes it inspiring ; we come

here to scout for new fashion and design talents."

2. yksi stadhuisplein 3, eindhoVen

Laurens: "Incredibly diverse because they sell furni-

ture, accessories, ceramics and books; mainly work by

Dutch designers – and from Eindhoven."

3. traders pop

heggenstraat 16, maastricht

Nawie: "Their mix of vintage and new clothing with

(fashion) books is what makes this an alternative and

one of a kind place."

4. kiki niesten

stokstraat 28-32, maastricht

Branko: "Prada, Chanel, Victor & Rolf, but also young

Dutch top-class designers such as Spijkers en Spijkers

sell their things here; it is the place to come to when

you can really splash out on clothes."

5. fee concept store

putstraat 18, sittard

Branko: “New in Sittard. The store showcases

products made by young designers and artists as well

as vintage clothing and items from commercial labels.

A real mixture that is actually quite similar to our

concept, but then in Sittard. Really great!"

fashion& dEsign

p. 53 xpert text anoek hofkens / wies van kats photo madeleine sars / ruud balk

-who woulD know Better what to see anD where to go in the region than the people for whom this knowleDge is part of their Daily routine? x has askeD xperts on fooD, nature, anD fashion for their top 5.

Eduard Habets works as a manager for

Natuurmonumenten. natuurmonumenten is a

society with a common goal: taking care of nature in

the netherlands. to do so, natuurmonumenten

obtains and manages areas of natural beauty. as

a manager eduard knows better than anyone else

where to find the greenest places in the region. he

has made a list of his favourite areas for x magazine:

1. the sint-pietersberg hill

maastricht (starting point at Chalet Bergrust)

"A magnificent and varied area of natural beauty with

hillside forests, stretches of limestone grasslands

and fields close to the city. You will find many places

of historical interest here including the Sint-Pieter

Fort and the extensive underground network of cor-

ridors. In addition, the Sint-Pietersberg is a butterfly

Eldorado."

2. the brunssummerheide heathlands

heerlen

"A unique heathland area offering plenty of recre-

ational options. Do not be surprised if you run into

a family of roe deer. The heights offer magnificent

panoramas, and the shepherd will often be roaming

the hills with his flock. The area consists of heathland,

forests, and fens. The Schrieversheide pancake house

serves the best pancakes."

3. the geuldal Valley

"The typical South Limburg hills offer extraordinary

natural beauty and some wonderful historical villages

with half-timber farms, hollow roads, and standard

fruit orchards. The little Geul river meanders through

the valley. Enjoy hours of walking and the magnificent

vistas."

4. loonse en drunense duinen

national park

"The biggest area of inland sand dunes in Western

Europe. Prepare for a real desert experience in the

Brabant Sahara. Explore the area on foot, on horse-

back, or by bicycle. Starting point: Landgoed Bosch

en Duin in Udenhout."

5.oisterwijkse forests and fens

"Magical forests speckled with dozens of fens. You can

walk for hours here and discover new views behind

every tree. Follow one of the marked walks. Starting

point: Oisterwijk visitor centre."

forests& parKs

p. 54

With his wife Moniek, Bas strijbosch runs

restaurant 1910. the name of the place was

inspired by the year in which the grand townhouse

was built. the picturesque wilhelminaplein adds to

its atmosphere of authenticity. at 1910 you can expe-

rience a pleasantly surprising night out in a relaxed

ambiance. the menu offers mediterranean food with

a modern twist from all over the world.

1. eat drink design

www.eatdrinkdesign.nl

“Once every year, in october, during the Dutch

Design Week in Eindhoven, a pop-up restaurant with

exhibition space will be set up somewhere in the city

centre where Edwin Severijn, a freelance top chef,

presents his wonderful cuisine. Eat Drink Design is

a collaborative project to turn food, drink and design

into a true experience. You can find more information

on the website.”

5. chateau neercanne

cannerweg 800, maastricht

“A narrow little lane up the hill leads to this magni-

ficent chateau. Enjoy the aperitif on the beautifully

laid out terrace with a view of the garden. Follow it up

with a dinner or a lunch in a historic atmosphere or

in one of the marl quarry caves with a modern decor.

Top it off with a tour of the Apostelhoeve, one of the

best winemakers in the Netherlands. A little bit of

France in the Netherlands.”

4. restaurant boreas

jan deckerstraat 7, heeze

“In Heeze you will find, in my opinion, the best chef in

Brabant, Nico Boreas. Boreas recently received their

second Michelin star, a mark of top quality. Boreas

is housed in an old townhouse. Let the chef surprise

you with his culinary artistry and enjoy the perfect

preparations of his range of fresh ingredients.”

3. luyterVelde

jo goudkuil 11, eindhoVen

“The classic Luytervelde restaurant is housed in an

old farmhouse. I recommend the 10-course amuse

menu. I had one of my very best food experiences

here myself. It also offers a wonderful garden where

you can have your meal in summer. It is best to make

a reservation. Luijtervelde is closed on Saturdays and

Sundays. A luxury position for a restaurant, but

I think it says enough about the remaining days.”

2. kruisherenhotel

kruisherengang19-23, maastricht

“The fifteenth-century Kruisheren monastery and its

monumental gothic church have been given a new

lease of life as a design hotel. An extraordinary place

where history meets design to form an exciting new

unity. In the rooms, but on the plates as well.”

food& drinKs

xpert

titelxpatp. 55

CAMPAGNIE ZIC ZAZOU Brocante SonoreMusic/show (France) October 5, 2010

CARIBBEAN COCKTAILExotic show, October 8, 2010

HABIB DEMBELE A vous la NuitMusic (Mali) October 15, 2010

BALLET THEATRE OF UKRAINE Snow WhiteBallet (Ukraine) October 24, 2010

MOMIX 100% The best of MomixAcrobatic dance (USA) October 28, 2010

DIRTY BROTHERS The Dark Party Freakshow (Great Britain) October 30, 2010

BLAZE The Streetdance SensationStreetdance (Great Britain) November 11, 2010

DRUM CATShow (Korea) November 12, 2010

MARIA JUNCAL Y COMPANIALa Tercera Llamada Flamencoshow (Spain) November 16, 2010

SOWETO SPIRITUAL SINGERS JoyMusic (Africa) November 17, 2010

HANANE FADILI Cabaret (Morocco) November 17, 2010

VIA KATLEHONG WozaDance/music ( South-Africa) November 20, 2010

AMANDA STRYDOM Vuur in glasMusic (South-Africa) December 1, 2010

KIEV BALLET The Nutcracker Ballet (Ukraine) December 15, 2010

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS CIRCUS 40 yearsFamilycircus (International) December 25 - January 2

And also in 2011: Cho-in Theatre (South-Korea), International Cabaret &

Comedyweekend, Bollywood the show (India), Carmen(opera in French), The Reduced Shakespeare Company

(Great Britain), Peter Corry – Celtic Rythms (Ireland),Nabucco (opera in Italian), Pip Utton (Great Britain).

And many more...

Parktheater EindhovenYour home away from home

Parktheater Eindhoven is one of the largest theatres in the country, presenting over 500 shows each year, including 50 international productions.

Program, information, tickets, photos and filmclips:

WWW.PARKTHEATER.NL

PTE adv Expats:Layout 1 17-09-2010 09:53 Pagina 1

titel xpat p. 56

Tomelweg 17, 6132 BS Sittard

The Netherlands

Tel. +31 (0)6 546 77 446Fax. +31 (0)46 411 12 07

E-mail. [email protected]. www.jansen-es.nl

Y.M.M. Jansen Expatriate Services is an

independent relocation company founded in 2000.

It is based in Sittard and covers the Limburg region.

This small, high quality relocation company is run by

Yvonne Jansen. Having the experience of being

an“expat” herself, two of her children were born

abroad, and knowing the needs of a family on the

move, her company has gathered an enormous

experience in relocation. With her expertise she is

the best advisor for families “on the move”.

Since the start over 200 families of more than 20

nationalities were successfully relocated in Limburg.

Her clients are the big Petrochemical Industries in

Sittard, Geleen and Heerlen, Telephone Companies,

the University of Maastricht and she is the

representative of several international operating

relocation companies based abroad or in the west of

The Netherlands.

Preview / area tour

Registration with IND (Immigration and

Naturalization Services) for a residence permit

Town Hall registration

Application of BSN number; Burger Service

Number (Social Security Number)

Opening bank account / credit card

Insurances

Exchange of foreign driver’s license

Home finding

Finding the right school / day care

Connecting utilities, telephone,

internet, television

Finding a doctor / dentist etc.

Car import assistance

Social contacts

And much more...

xplorep. 57

i always lose myself in Books here-

“Books are such wonderful things to hold.

In the years I have spent in the Nether-

lands I have learnt the language. You can

find French and English books as well in

this bookshop, but I like to read Dutch

books about the Limburg culture. And so

reading has taught me about the richness

of the local history. This bookshop is a

good example. It used to be a church.”

5 5

-

sueli brodin was Born in rio De

janeiro, raiseD in pakistan, france

anD japan anD has liveD in the

netherlanDs for 19 years.

she is expat of the year, writes

for crossroaDs anD she loVes

boekhandel seleXyz,

dominicanerkerkstraat 1,

maastricht


text dagmar steins photo boudewijn bollmann

p. 58

9.00am BroWsing

If you walk in the direction of

the Meuse starting from the train

station, you will walk into one of the

oldest and best shopping streets in

Maastricht. The Rechtstraat offers

shoppers a leisurely stroll along a

string of fashionable clothes shops,

art galleries, antiquarian book sellers

and welcoming little restaurants.

Note the beautiful facades and the

extraordinary black statue of Christ.

11.00am CuLturaL Lounging

The Centre Céramique is a cultural

hangout located inside a striking

building designed by the Limburg

architect Jo Coenen. It regularly

hosts exhibitions, lectures and art

shows. And it always offers free

internet access! Around the corner

you will find a great place to lounge:

Coffee Lovers.

12.00pm a tastE oF art

Bonnefantenmuseum: old paintings

and sculptures alongside contem-

porary art and installations. Some

people in Maastricht refer to the

extraordinary building (designed

by Aldo Rossi) as ‘the Maastricht

tampon’. Only a fifteen-minute walk

from the Rechtstraat.

13.00am putting Your FEEt up

Enjoying the good things in life

means sitting down in one of the

sidewalk cafés once in a while.

Maastricht is famous for its many

sidewalk cafés, such as the ones in

the Vrijthof square. But you will find

the best ones in this square, at the

foot of the monumental Medieval

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe basilica. Cross

the Hoge Brug at Plein 1992 and you

cannot miss it.

2.30pm undErground

Kazematten: beneath Maastricht

there is a labyrinth of caves cut out

in the marl stone. In this under-

ground network you can walk

around, ride your bike, but you can

easily get lost as well. So follow one

of the guided tours! Ask the guide

to tell you his stories in English or

German.

3.30pm taKing in tHE ViEWs

There is only one mountain in the

whole of the Netherlands: the Sint

Pieter. Walk or ride a bike to the

top and enjoy the rolling Limburg

xploremaastricht-maastricht– or ‘mestreech’– is the olDest city in the netherlanDs. with its meDieval squares, siDewalk cafés, anD wonDerful Boutiques maastricht is a great town for a Day of walking, shopping, anD enjoying an exuBerant meal. check it out!

p. 59 xplore text ties van de werff photo madeleine sars / boudewijn bollmann

countryside and the views over the

City on the Meuse. Along the way

you will find a pancake restaurant, a

beautiful old cemetery, and the villa

owned by the famous Maastricht

musician André Rieu.

4.30pm BooK Hunting

On your way back, be sure to step

into De Tribune. This is the best

bookshop in the Netherlands with

a considerable stock of remainders

in the basement and an extensive

collection of (English-language)

literature, philosophy, poetry and

art books.

5.30pm HappY Hour

After this it will be time for another

drink at a sidewalk café. In the

Medieval Jekerkwartier you will find

two archetypal Mestreech cafés. At

Café de Pieter you can enjoy a drink

or two outside by the city wall. In

the down-to-earth café Tribunal you

can practice the local dialect. Sjiek

and sjoen!

6.30pm Food and drinKs

Eetcafé Sjiek boasts a great outdoor

terrace bordering on the town park

where you can enjoy a fantastic

meal. We recommend the Mestreech

specialty dish ‘zoervleis’ (which is

a type of meat stew). For a more

fashionable and younger atmosphere

you can go to Barsserie Appart. Very

special dishes and lovely cocktails.

8.00pm sit BaCK & rELaX

With six auditoriums and a varied

international programme, Lumière

Cinema is one of the best cinemas,

screening unusual art house films,

themed performances and special

film festivals. An ideal way to end a

relaxed day in Maastricht. You can

check out the website for English

language films or films with English

subtitles.

10.00pm puB CraWL

Maastricht night life strongly

resembles the daytime: relaxed. No

clubs or discotheques, but lots of

great pubs and bars. Take Five is a

bar with crisply designed interiors

where many of the trendy locals and

international students like to hang

around. Good coffee and a jazzy, bo-

hemian atmosphere. Café Zondag is

a little bit more relaxed. Its friendly

staff and great (live) music make

this the perfect relaxed hangout.

… bed and breakfast

In the Jekerkwartier you will find a

small but very romantic hotel. Break-

fast is served in an old beer brewery.

There is a gallery with contemporary

art on the ground floor. Be sure to

make a reservation in time. For those

in search of ‘gezelligheid’ combined

with design, we recommend hotel

Townhouse. Here they serve bread

and bubbly for breakfast.

p. 60xplore

9.00am

➊ rechtstraat

11.00am

➋ Centre Céramique / Plein 1992

from December 2010, the Netherlands

Architecture Institute will once again

be open to the public (currently being

renovated).

12.00pm

➌ Bonnefantenmuseum

Avenue Céramique 250

open tuesdays - Sundays

from 11.00am - 5.00pm.

Admission € 8.00

13.00pm

➍ Vrijthof

2.30pm

➎ kazematten / Waldeckbastion

Guided tours leave daily at 2.30pm from

the waldeckbastion at the end of the

park (advance reservations through the

tourist office via 043-3252121).

Admission € 4.50

3.30pm

➏ sint-Pietersberg hill

Pancake restaurant (on the Luikerweg),

cemetery, and the villa owned by the

famous Maastricht musician André Rieu

(both on the ursulinenweg).

4.30pm

➐ de Tribune / Kapoenstraat 8-10

5.30pm

➑ Café de Pieter / Sint Pieterstraat 22

➒ Café Tribunal / Tongersestraat 1

6.30pm

➑ Café sjiek / Sint Pieterstraat 13

➓ Barsserie appart

Achter de molens 15

8.00pm

lumière Cinema

Bogaardenstraat 40

Check www.lumiere.nl for today’s films.

10.00pm

Take Five / Bredestraat 14

Café Zondag / Wijcker Brugstraat 42

… bed and breakfast

dis hotel / Tafelstraat 28

+31 (0)43 321 54 79

Townhouse / St. Maartenslaan 5

+31 (0)43 321 1111

AINSI

➊

➋

➌

➍

➎

➏

➑

➒➓

➐

KA

Rto

- P

LAN

MA

AS

tRIC

Ht

titelxpatp. 61

Maastricht University Language Centre

Get ahead with languages!the advantage of multilingual skillsDo you speak your client’s language?At the Maastricht University Language Centre, we understand the power of communication. Expressing yourself effectively is crucial when negotiating with your business partners and customers and helps you achieve your goals. In today’s international and rapidly changing environment, language profi ciency is the key to professional and personal success.

For language courses from Arabic to Turkish, Dutch and English at all levels, and all your translation and editing jobs, visit: www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/languages

TALENCENTRUM | adv 170x240 X Magazine 2010.indd 1 02-09-10 10:08

let’s go out-an overview of annual events 2010-2011

JANUARY-

new year’s swim

www.nieuwjaarsduikhelmond.nl

Location: anywhere where

there is water, but in any case at

Recreatieplas Berkendonk on the

Raktweg, Helmond.

Date: 1 January 2011.

Description: a splash in the

ice-cold water to launch the

New Year.

Dress code: swimwear.

FEBRUARY-

Valentine’s day

Location: mainly in restaurants,

for instance at Michelin star res-

taurant Bretelli in Weert.

(www.bretelli.nl)

Date: 14 February.

Description: the international

celebration of love. Oysters and

strawberries for couples, and

exciting parties for singles.

Dress code: red.

MARCH-

tefaf (The European Fine Art

Fair)

www.tefaf.com

Location: Maastricht Exhibition

& Congress Centre.

Dates: 18-27 March 2011.

Description: the most important

international arts and antiques

fair in the world. Browsing is an

option, but people come here to

buy priceless works of art.

Dress code: black sunglasses &

MasterCard.

carnaVal

Location: in the town centres

and villages of Noord-Brabant and

Limburg, in the streets and in the

pubs and bars.

Dates: 6-8 March 2011.

Description: originally a Catholic

celebration. Three days of drinking

without worrying about tomorrow,

before the start of Lent.

Dress code: over the top, from

glamour pirates to nuns and pixies.

APRIL-

Queen’s day

Location: lots of activities for

children in the streets and jumble

sales in the Dutch town centres.

Date: 30 April 2011.

Description: bargain hunting at

the flea market and checking out

bands with a drink in your hand in

the afternoon.

Dress code: orange.

MAY -

maastricht theatre city

festiVal

www.maastrichttoneelstad.nl

Location: Vrijthof, Maastricht.

Dates: 7-11 May 2011 in the

evenings.

Description: for those who love

the theatre and for those with a

penchant for drama.

Dress code: smart.

JUNE-

street festiVal

Via Ventosa

www.viaventosa.nl

Location: Vonderweg 1, TAC,

Eindhoven.

Dates: the last week of June.

Description: a free street festival

with surprise performances, art,

and long wooden tables where you

can socialise.

Dress code: flip-flops &

sunglasses.

text ioana stanescu xpert p. 62

Netherlands with countless exhibi-

tions, lectures, and parties.

Dress code: wear black.

NOVEMBER-

glow

www.gloweindhoven.nl

Location: Eindhoven.

Dates: 6-13 November 2010.

Description: a nighttime festival

themed around light, offering a

series of installations at a range of

locations across ‘Lighttown’.

Dress code: single-lens reflex

camera.

strp festiVal

www.strp.nl

Location: Het Klokgebouw,

Eindhoven.

Dates: 18-28 November 2010.

Description: one of the biggest

music, art & technology festivals

in Europe where you can test-

drive the interactive art works on

display.

Dress code: dancing shoes.

DECEMBER-

torchlight procession

www.fakkeltochteindhoven.nl

Location: Wilhelminaplein,

Eindhoven.

Date: 24 December 2010.

Description: a torchlight proces-

sion for tolerance.

Dress code: mittens and a

woollen scarf.

JULY-

fiesta del sol

www.fiesta-del-sol.nl


Date: the last weekend of July.

Description: the ultimate street

theatre festival to celebrate sum-

mer and to dance to salsa, Latin,

eighties and jazz music.

Dress code: summer romance.

eXtrema outdoor

www.extrema-outdoor.nl

Location: Aquabest.

Date: the second or third week-

end in July.

Description: dancing on the

beach where the best dance DJ’s

will be laying down their hottest

grooves.

Dress code: rubber boots if the

weather lets you down.

AUGUST-

solar

www.solarweekend.com

Location: Maasplassen,

Roermond.

Date: the first or second weekend

in August.

Description: lying around in the

grass enjoying the bands by the

water for a whole weekend,

splashing along in a boat, or

singing along off key if the fancy

takes you.

Dress code: rubber boots, fanny

pack & sleeping bag.

preuVenemint

www.preuvenemint.nl

Location: Vrijthof, Maastricht.

Date: the last weekend in August.

Description: a four-day upclass

culinary event with beautiful food,

wine and live music.

Dress code: tasteful.

SEPTEMBER-

fluX-s art eVent

www.flux-s.nl

Location: Strijp-S, Eindhoven.

Dates: September 2011.

Description: an international

arts festival in the former Philips

grounds that offers visual art,

new media, music, architecture,

poetry and literature.

Dress code: nonchalant.

flower parade

www.bloemencorso-valkenswaard.nl

Location: market square,

Valkenswaard.

Date: the second Sunday in

September.

Description: cultural entertain-

ment and a parade of floats decked

in flowers (dahlias).

Dress code: flowery.

OCTOBER-

dutch design week

www.dutchdesignweek.nl


Dates: 23-31 October 2010.

Description: the biggest and

best-known design event in the

p. 63

xpat p. 64text caroline van schubert photo michiel landeweerd

hello?goodbye!

After a 4-year stay Yedendra Shrinivasan will be leaving the

Netherlands to return to his native India. He has worked at the

University of Technology Eindhoven (TU/e), where he got his PhD in

June. In India Yedendra will go to work for IBM Research. An interes-

ting job, but that is not the only thing he will be looking forward to.

“I will finally be able to enjoy some good food again. The good food

is one of the things I have really missed about India. In 2003 I came

to the Netherlands for the first time to follow a Master’s course at

the University of Twente. I arrived on a Sunday and I still remember

my surprise at seeing absolutely no-one in the streets. The place was

deserted. After 18 months I got my Master’s degree and returned to

India for a year. When I returned to the Netherlands in 2006 to do

my PhD-research I was struck by the same thing. This is something

that is characteristic of the Dutch, this 9-to-5 mentality. It seems as if

public life comes to a halt at five o’clock in the afternoon. The shops

will close; everyone will be leaving for home. I have no idea of what

my colleagues do after five.

I think the pressure of work is quite high in the Netherlands. But the

Dutch can party like no one else. It seems as if they do everything in

the extreme; the whole city will be turned on its head when there is a

party, such as with the Queens’ Day celebrations.

I will miss being able to hop over to other European countries. I have

travelled extensively around Europe. One thing I will certainly not

miss is the food. I have tried everything; from the Indian restaurants

in town to the candy machines. The food over here is not what I was

used to. Still, I will look back fondly on my years over here. The

Netherlands is small, but it is open to many different cultures. Almost

every culture is represented over here. It makes it easier for expats

like me to feel at home.”

name

yedendra b. shriniVasan

age

28

place of Birth

tiruVallur, india

expat experience

phd-research at tu/e

place of resiDence

eindhoVen

future employer

ibm research in india

Duration of stay

18 months + 4 years

p. 65

"the netherlands

is open to

many cultures"

p. 66xpat

Las Palmas

FaroSevilla

Malaga

Alicante

Alghero

Pisa

Rome

Corfu

Malta

SofiaMadrid

Mallorca

Barcelona Pescara

Trapani

Brindisi

Rhodos

Bodrum Antalya

Dalaman

Marseille

Innsbruck

SalzburgBudapest

Belgrado

Katowice

Wroclaw

Warschau

Gdansk

Milan

Porto

Dublin

London

Stockholm

Oslo

Praag

The South of the Netherlands has a great deal to offer, as a region,

but also as a starting point for some great trips. You can reach most

European destinations within just a few hours from the regional

airports. As you can see, they offer plenty of options for a nice

weekend break. For accurate information visit the websites

www.eindhovenairport.nl and www.maa.nl.

fly away -(anD come Back)

ALGHERO ALICANTE ANTALYA BARCELONA GIRONA BARCELONA REUS BUDAPEST DUBLIN FARO GDANSK INNSBRUCK KATOWICE LAS PALMAS LONDON CITY LONDON STANSTED MADRID MALAGA MALTA MARSEILLE MILAN PISA PORTO PRAGUE ROME SALZBURG SEVILLE

SOFIA STOCKHOLM TENERIFE TRAPANI

WARSAW WROCLAW

Destination Europe?

Good accessibilityNearby parkingQuick check-in

eindhovenairport.nl

(Winter 2010/2011)

titel xpat p. 68

Your next jobopportunity in the Brainport region

Find out more: www.brainporttalentregion.com

AUTOMOTIVE > DESIGN > FOOD >

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