Times Change, Traditions Change

In a surprising move, the people of the Netherlands voted to override the traditional Christian holiday of Easter in favor of a new celebration: Couples Appreciation Day.

In a country with a vast number of atheists – some urban areas boasting over 50 percent self proclaimed – this move made sense to many. As one Amsterdam man put it:

“Christ’s resurrection? Impressive. But getting my girlfriend to watch a whole football game without complaint, now that’s a miracle!”

Couples Appreciation Day, which was celebrated both days previously reserved for the Easter Holiday, appeared to be a huge success in central Amsterdam. Sunday found hundreds of couples strolling arm in arm, couples gazing at the canals, couples lounging in boats; Amsterdam was just overflowing with feelings of companionship. Occasionally, there was the sight of a couple in conflict, but in true spirit of the holiday, they bickered in public, making their couple status – be it harmonious or not – known.

This change is just a continuation of the common European practice of sharing your love for another with the world. This is most often accomplished by affectionate displays in conspicuous locales, such as the middle of public squares, sidewalk benches, and centrally located café tables.

Throughout the city, it was apparent that couples unanimously enjoyed the holiday, but what about that forgotten minority, single persons?

“I didn’t get the memo; if you’re single, please stay inside today,” one solo female quipped.

Social researchers are curious to see if this trend will continue to spread throughout Europe. In respects to population growth and flower sales, scientists expect the movement to swell to other regions.

Easter in Amsterdam

While you were all off to your family estates, I was celebrating this holy week in a largely atheist city. Of course, that’s perfectly fine for me – still to this day, no one knows how I ended up at Catholic School. Nevertheless, I still celebrate Easter and Good Friday (yeah, I know, supposed to be a solemn day. Day off from school, I say, so praise Christ) and this would be the first – and probably the only – year without a family gathering.

I started the weekend doing the best to occupy myself – doing homework, spring cleaning, absinthe, but still, as Easter Sunday approached, I was slightly grumpy lunch. In an attempt to pacify myself, I slept in, then made pancakes before getting all dressed up (read: actually getting dressed for the first time in almost three days) and heading over to plantage.

There were not many CIEE individuals left in the city of Red Lights, as many were traveling and/or with family over the long weekend. Several of us orphans left here decided it was only fair to throw ourselves an Amsterdam style Easter dinner.

Megan was in charge of the menu; I showed up to carry supplies and help cook. Tory and Ned sliced bread and made salad, while Megan, Sully, and I did most of the cooking. Megan’s very zealous and a-mazing menu included:

Spinach dip
Bruschetta
Chicken, with mysterious peppercorn sauce (it was all in Dutch)
Green beans
Bread
Salad
Mashed potatoes
Gravy

And dessert:

Pound cake with Caramelized bananas and ice cream

Now, of course, with so many cooks – and so many college cooks – practically everything was done at different times. The mashed potatoes were a successful, first time attempt by Sully; I don’t think he realized how long it would take to boil them to a satisfactory mashing point. The chicken was chopped up as it cooked. The spinach dip, bruschetta, and most of two loaves of French bread were all gone by the time we actually sat down for dinner. An hour and a half later, dinner was served. The meal was a resounding success all around.

It wasn’t the traditional Easter dinner per se, but pretty similar to many I’ve been privy to. Violent placing of food on plates,some yelling, inappropriate conversation topics…sounds like home to me.

After dinner – and a marvelous dessert – I headed home to skype the family celebration going on at Mem’s. I got to talk to almost every person present, which was awesome. Just an example of the glory that is my family:

Jon (my cousin): “Hey Cupcake”
Me: “Helllllllllllllloooo, what’s up?”
Jon: “Oh, you know, just being a silly goose.”

Then we talked about how I’m making him and Uncle Jay proud in my time here and also how we both despise all liquors that are licorice flavored (we are not meant to drink jager in my family).

In continuation of the holiday celebrations, I spent an hour at the gym this morning and then went to FOAM, a photography museum late this afternoon (yes I find both of those activities entertaining). I’ve also done no homework – this post is clear evidence of that.

And now, the productiveness begins as my parents arrive on Friday!