He comes, he comes!

In about 48 hours we (finally) meet again. It's been about a month since we met last time. We try to see each other once a month. But after this weekend, it takes only two-and-a-half weeks until the next visit of my Finnish girl to The Netherlands. She is coming when Sinterklaas is being celebrated. Sinterklaas is a specific Dutch kind of christmas.
Sinterklaas is some kind of Santa Claus, but this guy comes on a steam boat filled with presents. He sails from his residence in Spain with his black helpers (Black Pete) to a harbour in The Netherlands, three weeks before his birthday on the 5th of December. On the evening of the 5th of December every kid in Holland gets presents from Sinterklaas. This tradition is bigger than christmas in The Netherlands, at least for all the children. Kids up to 8 years old believe Sinterklaas is real and that Black Pete brings the presents to them. In the three weeks between the arrival of Sinterklaas and the 5th of December, kids can put their shoe next to the fireplace, sing a Sinterklaas-song, and then go to bed and hope Black Pete will come down the chimney during the night to fill their shoe with little presents and sweets. At the 5th of December, Sinterklaas visits every primary school together with some Black Petes. I am transformed to a Black Pete too, and visit a school together with a Sinterklaas and a Black Pete.
This weekend, when my girl is here, Sinterklaas arrives (it's always broadcasted live on national tv) so she can get to know this event and experience some real Dutch culture. I have always been intrigued by this Sinterklaas-phenomenon, it's a special thing every year! Check the YouTube-video below to get an idea of the impact of Sinterklaas.
Oh, and I love her.