Sunday, January 4, 2009

Nieuwjaarsduik.



No matter what the temperature is, thousands of Dutch flock the North Sea and plunge into the icy waters on New year´s Day. They call it nieuwjaarsduik. The word duik means to dive or to plunge into the sea. So Nieuwjaarsduik means to throw oneself into the water on New Year's Day. It's an old Dutch tradition.

If you´ve seen the film Titanic, you know more or less, how cold the North Sea can get during winter. But whether the temperature is minus 5 or minus 10 celsius, tough Dutch men and women, young and old, storm the waters. It´s all about the tradition and Dutch love traditions! I do too.

But most of all, I love the Dutch sense of humor. Wearing a Santa Claus red cap (it looks more like a bonnet to me though, don't you think so?) and running half-naked in their swimming outfits, and off they rush into the water! hahahaha

I asked my husband what's the logic behind all this exposure and hypothermia experience at the height of winter. He said that it´s about purifying oneself. Getting rid of laziness or old habits and feeling your blood rushing through your veins. Bracing and getting yourself ready for the coming challenges in the New Year.

In the Philippines, we have a tradition too. We open all doors, windows (and wallets too) on New year´s eve. We believe that by doing so, we get rid of all the old problems, worries, heartaches; and we welcome all that there is to come in the New Year. And yes, with open doors, windows, and wallets too! lol

16 comments:

maricel said...

2008 is over..Anonther year older?Well.. Age is a gift and not an excuse!..(junjun) puto bungbong, hot choco..lechon..jrs q nalang haha

Droomvla said...

DHL pakadi. HAHAHAHAHA!

Mel said...

wow - kagayon san mga hitsura san likod. wara ka lamang didto sa picture hahahaha!

bagan water baptism palan an dutch tradition na ina. the act of plunging into the water is a symbolism that the old is gone, and the new has come.

Droomvla said...

HAHAHAHA! Maski bayadan ako, di ako mabuntog sa nagyeyelo na tubig. LOL

Bicol Scribe said...

hahahahaha. an panabot ko maski bayadan ka di ka ma-bathing suit. LOL

Droomvla said...

Aw an pagbathing suit nan pagdisplay san flabs, kaya ina san powers ko kay may swimming baga an PE sa college. HAHAHAHAHA

Anna said...

Ha ha ha. Didi ngani "tailend of the cold front" pa lang grabe na an panarakig ko, mas lalo pa kaya an paglusong da sa yelo.

Droomvla said...

An pagshower ngani uroadlaw, problema na na dako dako. HAHAHAHA Kundiharos mag naspu naspu na lamang kita kay bag-o magduot an tubig sa salog, mahagkot na maski baga an mapapanitan na an ulo mo san init. Kundi maalo man san kili kili ta. Basi i-deport ako. HAHAHAHAHAHA

Aristarkhos said...

i believe even the swedes and the finns practice this. I say, I think i know what Obelix would say to this..."these Dutch r crazy!" :)

hello again. am back after a long time. computer was all packed up, house got painted while my wife and son took a trip to her town. so was out of action for ages...

Aristarkhos said...

i think the swedes and finns do this as well..but probably not for new years only. they do that sauna and rush into icy water routine.
Obelix would probably say, "these dutch r crazy!" :)

hello again. am back. house was getting painted while me missus and kiddo were off to her town. computer ws all packed up.

Droomvla said...

You are so funny, and I could almost hear Obelix! HAHAHAHA

I'm happy to see you back. I thought for awhile that you went for a little stroll with ET in Jupiter! HAHAHAHAHA

Yeah, Scandinavians have these tradition too but they don't particularly do it on New Year's Day.

A Danish friend used to tell me stories about how he and his friends go brain dead everytime they go for a swim naked during winter in lakes around Denmark. lol

Droomvla said...

How far is Mumbai to TajMahal? Just curious... hehehe

cherie said...

i do hope there were steaming caludrons of hot cocoa by the beach somewhere para mahigop sadi na mga yeti pagkatapos.

Droomvla said...

Hamaka san yeti! hahahahaha

Aristarkhos said...

haha. stroll to Jupiter. I don't think ET would want to spend that much time with me. :)

Distance from Mumbai to Taj Mahal (Agra)...hmmm...approximately 1057-1197 km.
You can use the Distance Calculator at http://www.mapsofindia.com/distance

or http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distance.html

:) Why do you ask?

Droomvla said...

Because my cousin was in Mumbai and he wanted to go Tajmahal. Oh well, he already went to Tajmahal. hahahaha