Dutch day?

[peter007]

Ik kan ook gewoon een pak dubbel friss meenemen. Dan hoef je niet te zoeken naar een supermarkt

[Getron]

@WC_EEND is te regelen. Er liggen verschillende Supermarkten in de buurt van Centrum. Ik heb een auto, we regelen wel wat.

Getron

[MandelSoft]

OK, Ik heb nog drie vragen:
- Hebben we al besloten wat we gaan doen, of doen we dat op de dag zelf?
- Gaan we alles per persoon betalen ("going dutch") of doen we split pot? Ik denk dat het dat eerste wordt...
- Tot hoe laat gaat het ongeveer door (bijvoorbeeld, gaan we ergens met z'n allen uit eten?)

Ik zal er zijn in ieder geval

Groeten,
Maarten

[peter007]

We gingen toch een rondje door Rotterdam. naar de eruromast en naar Railz toch?
Ik neem zelf genoeg geld mee dus ik denk per persoon ook. Ik denk dat we wel ergens moeten eten. Sommige moeten anders al best vroeg weg omdat ze zo ver weg wonen. Wel toch bij de Mac of iets anders goedkoops

[WC_EEND]

Ik heb al eens gegoogled, en er is blijkbaar een Jumbo supermarkt vlakbij het metrostation Delftshaven (op Google Streetview is het nog een Super De Boer) dus dat lijkt me het handigst om naartoe te gaan.

Qua betalen lijkt het me het gemakkelijkst als we gewoon elk apart betalen.

Ik heb de Thalys terug naar Brussel om 17u58, dus ik zou ten laaste om 17u30 terug aan Rotterdam CS willen zijn.

Ow ja, ik heb een principlieel probleem met McDonalds, dus die vermijd ik liever. Burger King is ok, en KFC vind ik gewoon gigantisch vuil.

Xander

[kelis]

Hi my friends !! I was reading a little bit of your plans, as you know my Dutch is horrible but I can understand that the group will meet in Rotterdam, sounds good, is a pity that I am in Spain right now because would be a pleasure for me meet all of you  anyway I hope you enjoy of that wonderful city, and also I hope some pictures  !!

Maybe the next time finally I live at Holland and I can go with all of you.



PD: can you recommend me some page to learn Dutch ? I have a big problem with this. Every day my mother and me are trying to speak Dutch at home, I have the Holland nationality and when I end my studies I want to go to live in Holland, doesn't matter the zone, but I prefer Drente or Groningen zone because my family live there, but I have that problem with the language...I don't want to be treated as an unknown and that is my big fear...sorry for this, but I Think you can understand me and maybe someone can help me with the language 

Thanks and Greetings my friends !!

# Jonathan

[WC_EEND]

best way I can think of is to try and watch Dutch or Flemish tv shows with English (or Spanish, whichever is easier for you) subtitles. It worked for me with English.

also check this out: http://www.dwotd.nl/

Xander

[Doctor Soul]

Hi Kelis,

I live in the city of Groningen myself. Don't worry about being treated like an "unknown", as you put it, because (1) we get a lot of foreign students here for the university, and (2) 99% of us speak and understand English quite well. If anything, if you decide to come live in Groningen, you are actually in danger of getting into a friend-circle of Spanish students and not get to practice your Dutch as much as you would like

If you want to try WC_EEND's method of watching Dutch movies with subtitles, try some of these: Ober (2006), TBS (2008), De Aanslag (1986), Karakter (1997), Zwartboek (2006), Van God Los (2003) and Turks Fruit (1973)

[WC_EEND]

Alternatively, from Belgium there's Loft (2008), Aanrijding in Moscou (2008) (this one is in my local dialect and may be hard to find with subtitles), Rundskop/Bullhead (2011), De Zaak Alzheimer (2003) and Daens (1992)

I personally recommend Rundskop (it got an oscar nomination for best foreign film) and Loft. Both are very good films.

Xander

[kelis]

Hi friends 

First, thanks for your replies, much appreciate 

Okay, in this moment I'm looking for some films with subtitles, it's not easy with Spanish subtitles...I will try search some films with English subtitles, I think this will be more easy and also I can practice my English  Thanks to all of you for give me the name of the films, You are very kind 

Doctor Soul Thanks for your reply, I know, I was in Groningen many times, the last time this september and I could see that, there live many people with different nationalities, but maybe you don't understand me, I know, the people in Holland have another mentality, another thinking...I'm from Holland, I'm a Dutch person and it's so sad to me can not speak in Dutch...I travel every year to Holland and for two weeks I'm a happy person, you know ? but I need speak good the language, not for the rest of the people in Holland, it's for myself, to feel just one more in Holland.

Is there many people from Spain in Groningen ? I never saw anyone !!

Well, once again my friends, thanks for the replies and have a good day.

# Jonathan

[Doctor Soul]

I think I understand what you are saying. You want to be more than "just another foreigner", you want to be able to connect to your Dutch roots, am I right? I think you will be fine. The willingness to put in the effort to learn the language is the most important thing, which you seem to have plenty of. When you're here, if you just let people know that you would like to speak Dutch with them as much as possible, I'm pretty sure most people will be happy to help you out.

My father is from the UK, and moved here in 1977. My mother used to help him learn Dutch. Here are some ways he mastered the language:

- My mother stuck little post-it notes on almost every item in the house with the Dutch word on it: "Televisie", "Fluitketel", "Stoel", "Koekenpan", etc etc.
- My father used to buy Dutch comics. These are easier to read than novels, since the pictures help to explain the context of the words. I still have all his old Tintin books.
- When we were little, my brother and I had picked up Dutch in a matter of a few months. Children are fast learners. My father requested that we no longer speak English to him. Instead he would speak English and we would answer in Dutch. Eventually he would use more and more Dutch with us, and now the common language in the family is Dutch.
- It may be frustrating, but remember this: Dutch people love to show off how well they speak different languages. If you find yourself in a bar speaking English or Spanish to someone, don't be surprised. It's just a Dutch person's way of trying to impress you. Remember that you can always explain to them that you are trying to learn Dutch and ask them to speak Dutch to you instead. Most people will be happy to oblige.
- Here in Groningen there are a lot of foreign students. This means there are a lot of relatively cheap Dutch language courses you can follow. After you get the basics down, there are also more advanced courses, mostly geared towards academics. You can also probably study Dutch literature if you like.
- I have heard of foreign students of a particular language that start groups to practice speaking Dutch. You could look into that.

I don't know exactly how many Spanish people live in Groningen, but I've met quite a few. Most were students, but there were also some hippie/musician types who ended up here and just kind of stayed because they felt at home. Most foreign students at the university here are German, followed by Chinese. I'm sure there are at least a few hundred Spanish students.

[peter007]

You can also try to talk at skype. It helped me a lot with my English.

@Xander. Een principieel probleem met de Mac? Naja ok dan. We zien wel. terrasjes kunnen ook wel goed. Er zullen ook wel veel snackbars zijn daar.

-Ernst

[WC_EEND]

- It may be frustrating, but remember this: Dutch people love to show off how well they speak different languages. If you find yourself in a bar speaking English or Spanish to someone, don't be surprised. It's just a Dutch person's way of trying to impress you. Remember that you can always explain to them that you are trying to learn Dutch and ask them to speak Dutch to you instead. Most people will be happy to oblige.

It's the same thing here in Belgium, I'm very guilty of that as well. Last week for instance, there was an Austrian couple asking me for directions, so I explained it to them in German, even though they understood English perfectly fine.

@Ernst: Het zal wellicht ook een beetje van het weer afhangen, volgens Accuweather.com zal het die dag 21°C zijn, dus dat zit wel goed.

PS @Kelis: did you add me on facebook? (just asking out of curiosity)

Xander

[kelis]

Hi once again

Really thanks for your replies, I fell so good speaking with you about this little fear...Thanks

Doctor Soul, Well the history of my mother its similar, She born in Leeuwarden - Friesland and when She was working beetwen Italy and Switzerland she met my father, my father is from Galicia in Spain ( Maybe you Know where I live because is famous for the " Camino de Santiago " ) and well They decided to live here in Spain, when I was born my mother spoke with me in Dutch, just for a few months because an stupid nurse told to my mother that speak with me in a Different language could be a bit dangerous because I was a baby and in that moment I did not know speak Spanish...( Yeah I Know, sounds Stupid  ) for that reason I don't speak Dutch...I traveled to Holland since I was a baby, and I feel so good there....wow when I am in Holland I feel like other person, always I think " Yes this is my place " but I go to the street and is so sad can not speak in Dutch with the people and yes, you have reason, everyone want to speak with you in other language...I can remenber this last september in an Albert Heijn how an old man spoke with me in Spanish because He heard how was speaking with my girlfriend in Spanish, He was so happy to can speak with me in Spanish...maybe I just have to practice my Dutch and then go there and try to do my own life, its possible in a few months I will speak in Dutch with the rest of the people  Well I will try to follow your advice and with the help of all of you and my mother I will get speak  Don't scare if I try speak in Dutch with all of you 
Once again thanks for your kind comment 

peter007 - At Skype ? I know that program, I have it in my phone, but with who I can speak in Dutch ? Thanks Peter 

WC_EEND - Here in Spain that is a little bit different, the people here is more closed,I don't feel good here with the people of Spain, every day they are thinking in parties and something like that, for example the people in my class when I say something about Holland always someone says the same thing " Oh the marijuana and the red district " oh man they make me feel shame, that is another reason why I want to go to live in Holland, because the people there and Belgium or Germany to me are different.

Yes, I added you in Facebook, It's a problem ? Feel free to delete me if you want Okay ? 

Thanks for the comments my friends 

# Jonathan.

[WC_EEND]

peter007 - At Skype ? I know that program, I have it in my phone, but with who I can speak in Dutch ? Thanks Peter 

I have skype as well, if you want to have a chat, my skype name is wceend91
Also, is it just me or does Skype use a lot of battery on your phone as well?

WC_EEND - Here in Spain that is a little bit different, the people here is more closed,I don't feel good here with the people of Spain, every day they are thinking in parties and something like that, for example the people in my class when I say something about Holland always someone says the same thing " Oh the marijuana and the red district " oh man they make me feel shame, that is another reason why I want to go to live in Holland, because the people there and Belgium or Germany to me are different.

Well yeah, the drugs is just the most cliché thing people think of when they hear Holland(or perhaps tulips, windmills, etc), like waffles for Belgium, or wine for France. Granted, it's not completely the same, but I think you know what I mean. Here however, we often make fun of the Dutch, but in a friendly way, and I'm sure in Holland they also make fun of the Belgians in much the same way. It's usually the same thing with neighboring countries that speak the same language makeing fun of eachother somewhat (like Brits and Scots).

Yes, I added you in Facebook, It's a problem ? Feel free to delete me if you want Okay ? 

No problem at all, just wanted to be sure. It's just that I've already had random people I've never heard from trying to add me on facebook a couple of times, that's why I wanted to be sure.

Xander

edit: looks like we've gone massively offtopic. 
also Kelis,  you can set your forum language to Dutch (so the reply button becomes "antwoorden", etc) if you want.

[peter007]

Well with me? 
I'm dutch.
Maybe other folks here around have skype.
What's your name maybe I can add you.

-Ernst

[mave94]

Hi Kelis, Good to hear you like the Dutch language. You could find Dutch grammar for free at Unilang and on www.dutchgrammar.com. What helped me a lot when learning English was listening to the radio and watching online television. If you listen to the radio sometimes, you could listen for example to Radio538 for contemporary music or Radio Veronica for 80's and 90's music. You can watch television programmes on Uitzending gemist. I don't have Skype, unfortunately.
Oww, and Drenthe is one of the most beatiful parts of our country. I like the countryside with the heidevelden there and the hunebedden. Some time ago, I was in Norg, a small cute village in the northern of Drenthe with typical Drentse boerderijen.
You can say the next time when you will be in the Netherlands again. We can plan the next Dutch day in that period.

Maarten en anderen, de bedoeling was Railz en de Euromast, maar ik weet niet of dat wel kan op één dag als we ook nog de stad zelf willen zien. Mochten we wel naar alletwee willen, dan is het goedkoper om de kaartjes via internet te bestellen. Persoonlijk denk ik, laten we naar Railz miniworld gaan en naar Delfshaven en dan nog wat van het Centrum zien. Dan hebben we meer tijd om de stad zelf te bekijken.
Tevens, zoals het er nu naar uitziet wordt het heel lekker weer de 28^e, maar er kan uiteraard nog van alles veranderen. Ik weet overigens niet zeker of ik 's avonds kan blijven eten, omdat er die avond iets tussen is gekomen. Ik denk wel leuk en handig om 's avonds wat te eten; ik dacht dat Xander er ruim 2¹/₂ uur over doet?
Laten we het betalen lekker 'op z'n Nederlands' doen, dus ieder voor zich. Mocht je of je ouders een anwb-pas hebben, dan kun je korting krijgen bij Railz miniworld. Vergeet die dus ook niet mee te nemen.

Xander, iets Vlaams zou wel leuk zijn, maar ik heb alleen geen idee wat Vlaanderen allemaal heeft en wat je zo mee kan nemen. Ik had een paar jaar geleden in Vlaanderen een Luikse wafel op; die zijn echt vele malen lekkerder dan hier. Ik zal mijn Boskabouter in ieder geval meenemen. Dat is dus een Bosatlas die in je borstzakje past. Uiteraard gaat mijn fototoestel ook mee.

-Matthijs

[WC_EEND]

Ik doe er 1u45min (Gent-Sint-Pieters tot Rotterdam CS) over dankzij de prachtige uitvinding die de Thalys noemt (yay voor aan 300km/h door België en Nederland vliegen ).

En typsich Vlaams, wel er is natuurlijk het bier , er zijn ook Cuberdons (ook wel gekend als Gentse neuzen), de chocolade, Gentse kletskoppen (een soort koekjes), echte Gentse tierenteynmosterd, enzovoort.

[w_swietwoot]

he, volgende week is het zover. Tijd om knopen door te hakken
Planning dus (dit moet niet, maar dit denk ik op te pikken uit de gesprekken hier):
- 11.00-11.30 aankomst/vezamelen R'dam CS bij...loopbrug over het spoor dacht ik, ergens vooraan? (precise tijd afhankelijk van de aankomst treinen)
- hierna Railz? (ik heb anwb pas, 2 voor de prijs van 1 is de actie, wie bied? Ik wil er best 4 bestellen, ik wil vandaag of morgen die kaartjes kopen. Bijvoorbeeld voor xander en zus, die hebben geen anwb daar en hebben al kaartjes voor de trein toch? Dus jullie komen zoiezo. Dan zou ik er nog 1 over hebben. Nog arme studenten hier?)
- drankje?
- dan rondlopen door R'dam (langs supermarkt voor xander, en wat highlights. Van mij mogen de locals bepalen waar naar toe, of de gene die niet vaak in R'dam komen mogen aangeven wat ze graag willen zien) daarna zien we wel wat mij betreft.
- avondeten voor wie nog wil blijven? (verre reizigers en mensen die wegmoeten hoeven niet per se)

Zoiets? Euromast mag van mij geschrapt worden, tijd is denk ik wel op ja.

nog even een bevestigings checklist wie er komen, dan wachten we daar op za as:
w_swietwoot                    v
wc_eend + zus                v
mrmave94                       v
mrtnrln                            v
tag_one
peter007                          v
getron                             v

nog meer liefhebbers?
Gr en tot za!

[WC_EEND]

Ik kom met de Thalys om 11u03 toe in Rotterdam.
Mijn zus heeft met een vriendin van haar afgesproken (ook aan het station vermoed ik) en gaat dan met die vriendin Rotterdam intrekken. Ik ga haar dus wellicht niet terugzien voordat we terug vertrekken (trein om 17u58, ik zou ten laatste om 17u30 aan het station willen zijn). Dus voor haar moet je geen kaart voorzien.
Qua betaling neem ik aan dat je op de meeste plaatsen wel met bankkaart of visa kan betalen.
Kun je in Rotterdam CS ook een dagpas voor O/V kopen?

Xander

PS: ik zal vrijdag wel een beschrijving van hoe ik er ga uitzien posten, zodat jullie me kunnen herkennen
Zou iemand me ook z'n gsm-nummer kunnen PM'en, zodat ik iets zou kunnen laten weten moest de NMBS het verprutsen.