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Miriam Jakobs | 2012-04-10 01:30:41

Interesting read!

Chad B. | 2012-03-14 18:33:47

Wouter. Trust me. I'm far too conscious of history to ever agree with Zwarte Piet. I just live in Amsterdam, I'm not trying to be Dutch. The colonial programming here is powerful. I'm just glad I was raised in America by a conscious Black mother. My stance will not change. If anything, it makes me respect Dutch culture less every subsequent year. I never bought into America's propaganda, and I will definitely not buy into the propaganda of the Dutch. Thanks, but no thanks.

Kaitlin | 2012-03-14 17:53:06

It makes me so sad that everyone thinks American beer is synonymous with Budweiser. I think in terms of innovation in the industry nothing compares to the American Craft Brewers. I am a fan of Sweetwater Brewing Co, Dogfish Head, and Stone. While all my "beer fest" friends are jealous of my proximity to Belgium, sometimes all I want is to try whatever limited edition brew the guys at Dogfish Head are dishing out. Although, I do like the prices and selection of beer in the supermarkets much better here.

Amsterdamize | 2012-03-14 17:07:46

I'll step up & help you out: it's a Pedersen bike, from Denmark. I rode it once in Munich, in Lederhosen and everything, while there for Oktoberfest...quite stylishly, if I say so myself ;) http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindcaster-ezzolicious/5052489346/

Ruben van Dijk | 2012-03-10 17:38:27

This is freaking awesome

Cheech | 2012-02-07 17:44:12

Ha! You captured that perfectly. The look on her face reveals what most women feel when they stupidly decide to keep their boyfriends company on superbowl. Ladies, let dudes be dudes alone...unless of course you have a true interest in sports, which this lady clearly does not have judging by her face. Thanks for the moment Chad!

Cherina | 2012-01-25 22:13:59

Pigeons: The other white meat.

Cherina | 2012-01-25 22:10:13

Mostly, kids suck.

Cherina | 2012-01-25 22:08:57

Ha. Yeah, I'm learning too.

Wouter | 2011-12-15 16:25:00

"Foreign tourists, particularly Americans, often experience culture shock upon encountering the character (to dress in blackface is considered offensive in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries)." (from Wikipedia) You can give whatever arguments you want, the reality is simply that Zwarte Piet is not deemed offensive by most Dutchmen, white and black. We'll see how this sentiment changes over time. If you'll stay in Amsterdam for another year, you'll be able to write another story about this next year and maybe you'll note any difference in opinion :-).

nel | 2011-12-09 17:55:10

Chad, a great end to an interesting piece, cheers mate.

Rachel | 2011-12-08 13:07:36

Hey Chad, I'm a journalist with FRANCE 24's Observers website (http://observers.france24.com/). Was was hoping to get in touch with you about your post on Zwarte Piet... Is there a number where I can reach you? Thanks so much! Best, Rachel

Chad | 2011-12-06 20:25:44

Actually, Dutch blackface history is Zwarte Piet. Read the other installments of this series I have written and think twice. You're trying to feign innocence. A people that sold slaves cannot act as if they were not privy to what blackface was then and still is. As said, I don't care what side you take, but stop avoiding the history and attempting to make blackface into soot. Just be verisimilar with yourself.

Wouter | 2011-12-06 20:07:28

Without taking sides, I think it would be interesting to look into the history of blackface in the Netherlands. Personally, I had never heard of blackface untill I read about it in a book about American history. For an American, there is a direct historical connection between blackface (an important tradition in American theater) and slavery. For someone Dutch, there exist no such connection, because blackface was never part of Dutch theater. So, while you have been raised to be immediately offended when you see blackface, the Dutch were not raised as such. There is no history of blackface in the Netherlands, Zwarte Piet is the only blackfaced guy we know, there is no history of black persons being caricatured in theater. Maybe this is why many Dutch are indifferent to Zwarte piet. We just don't think it's offensive :-) The word 'blackface' doesn't even exist in Dutch :-)

Dana | 2011-11-20 17:25:15

Can I just chime in and say how ridiculous it is to buy a printer here, only to have no cables included that allows you to actually print? And people act as though it's completely normal to have to even think about buy your own cables after paying for a big ass printer.

Marije | 2011-11-18 22:58:08

I love this.

Ruben van Dijk | 2011-11-15 17:55:55

Hahahha I don't get this picture is she dead? she kind of looks like it

kina | 2011-11-04 13:21:52

for sure!! LOL

Cécile | 2011-10-31 22:37:48

I sent you an e-mail via the address on your blog. Thank you!

Chad B. | 2011-10-31 21:04:14

Cécile. I do indeed have that photo of you and your friend. Can you provide me with your email?

Cécile | 2011-10-31 19:19:24

Hi Chad! Awesome photo, the zombie walk was definitely great. I was wondering, you took a picture of me and my friend that night, if you still have it could you send it to me? It's the only picture that we have of the two of us that night. We met you while we were walking back home after the Zombie Walk, you were on your bike and you asked us for a photo - I was wearing a blood stained white T-shirt and I have long black hair, my friend is a tall girl with shorter hair, if that helps. Thanks a lot, and I hope you enjoy your time in the Netherlands! Love, Cécile

Chad B. | 2011-10-25 15:13:18

Removed the next day...

Ruben van Dijk | 2011-09-27 23:11:50

That rocks having those blue street signs on there does sucks

nel | 2011-09-26 20:32:25

Great piece Chad, We've often joked that the Nes is the straightest gay bar in town purely because of the general male to female imbalance. We once, while sat at the bar, pondered over some possible house rules for the place and came up with these two. Rule number one- No excessive moaning at the bar. Staff to have final word what is considered excessive. Rule number two- All regulars are to endeavor to bring at least one new person(preferably female)to the pub for a drink. I think they would help to improve the place a little at least. I still miss the days when the weed menu was on the bar and all my music was still on the system but it remains one of my favorite places for a beer and a smoke, totally without pretension and consistently staffed by great folk, I hope I'll be propping up the bar for many years to come.

Chad B. | 2011-09-08 01:59:06

Thanks for that errata. Going to adjust the post appropriately...

FlowerUser | 2011-09-07 16:40:26

Not wanting to be a smartarse, but that's a poppy, Gee. Aesthetically pleasing and a useful medicine! TBH, it doesn't look like your actual papaver somniferum, more like one of those tenacious little ones that grow all over Amsterdam, by the train tracks and between the cracks in concrete.

Maarten | 2011-08-13 18:44:35

Hahahah...I've been wondering exactly that!

Ruben | 2011-07-27 16:29:06

Probably the stupid other scanny thingies

Brandon | 2011-07-20 16:48:22

It CLOSED?!!! ARRRRRRRRRGH! That (was) my favorite coffee shop in town. The wares weren't much to speak for but the atmosphere was awesome. It reminded me of the mysterious junk shop in Gremlins. I kept meaning to go back there and pick up a mogwai but now it's too late. *sob*

Ruben van Dijk | 2011-07-12 16:27:38

Don't you think the look absolutely beautiful?

Ruben van Dijk | 2011-06-22 12:04:37

wow where the fuck is this!

Chad B. | 2011-06-17 20:57:40

Thanks for that. Much obliged.

disko | 2011-06-17 20:38:43

Recal One made this

N.A. Kudumu | 2011-06-14 17:15:38

I wonder if that martini he is drinking is any good. If so he is a double winner.

Chad B. | 2011-05-13 16:50:45

Piet... That's from Barney's over on Haarlemmerstraat. There are three Barney's in the same general area, but only one actually sells herb.

Piet | 2011-05-13 16:33:38

Can you tell me which coffeeshop sells it?

Chad B. | 2011-05-11 19:35:19

Team NIET NORMAAL!!!! Word!!!!

Ruben van Dijk | 2011-05-02 16:53:16

The show was fucking epic. Nice picture!

Ruben van Dijk | 2011-05-02 14:37:31

Awesome picture my man!

JustMeInHolland | 2011-04-28 18:01:08

:-)

Keyote | 2011-04-25 16:23:17

Man, that could have ruined a perfectly suited afternoon in the park. God thing the Brandweer's were on it like ducks on free bread!

Cam | 2011-04-09 22:04:22

lmfaoo...

Chad B. | 2011-04-08 15:17:12

Someone must have ripped a piece off. It's from another piece.

Susan | 2011-04-08 15:05:42

Wat Ruben zei

Ruben van Dijk | 2011-04-08 14:50:49

What is the strange piece at the top left?

Ruben | 2011-04-08 14:40:48

Pure swag is what it was!

Ruben van Dijk | 2011-04-06 16:05:41

Let me buy some hair gel than. Cruising Amsterdam in a boat is crack.

Ruben van Dijk | 2011-02-05 22:10:22

Can only do this as a girl

Ruben | 2011-01-14 22:10:45

If I remember correctly there was a time where you could buy this in a normal grocery store.

Ruben | 2011-01-09 12:18:53

For me it almost feels like a part of the city. Like the palace has been under construction for as long as I can remember.

Chad B. | 2010-11-27 19:09:17

Yes just as good as normal houses but cheaper and a nicer location. Shit rocks!

RubenvDijk | 2010-11-20 16:37:56

Thats one great photo!

RubenvDijk | 2010-11-14 23:13:24

Now everybody is riding segway's across town