Polka Choir

I couldn't resist riding downtown this afternoon to attend Paasmarkt (i.e., Easter Market), with its glittering promises of Eastern / Indian products and live music. 

After checking out the wares here and at the market in Beverwijk, I've come to the conclusion that "Eastern / Indian products" does not mean what I think it means.   

To me, it means exciting new spices and exotic utensils for the Asian kitchen.  In the Netherlands, it appears to mean imported linens, wallets, perfumes, and t-shirts...in other words, something between a flea market and a row of vendors from the streets of New York.  

Not really my kind of stuff, though I was sorely tempted by a t-shirt that said (in Dutch): "I'm blond, so you'll have to speak slowly."  Which would be a perfect introduction to my Dutch conversation skills.

All was not lost, however, because I joyfully discovered what can only be described as a series of Dutch Polka Choirs: groups of 15-20 middle-aged Nederlanders in matching outfits lustily singing Dutch polka-style folks tunes. Oh, yes.  Yes, yes, yes.

The first group was the most charming, if not the most in tune.  Apparently sponsored by a fruit drink (note the underaged worker with his promotional sign to the right of the stage), they sang spirited ballads that went something like this to my ears:

Nederland...mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

Fiesten (bicycles) mmm mmm mmm mooi (lovely) 

Hmmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm 

Mmmm mmm mmm Vaderland (fatherland)! 

The second group I saw took it up a notch with their Netherlands flag scarves, the talents of a soloist, and their heartfelt ballad dedicated to Amstel (the beer). 

And the third group proved once again that you can always count on women in leopard print to draw a crowd.  Even if they're on the cougar side of leopard.