AWC Going Dutch October 2019

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Going Dutch 

October 2019 

Holiday Bazaar 

Kick Off Collage 

Asian Food Festival 

22 

30 

36 

The Magazine of the 

American Women’s Club 

of The Hague 

5 Officers and Chairwomen 

6 Message from the President 

7 October General Meeting 

8 Letter from the Editor 

10 Membership 

10 Newcomers 

11 Clubhouse Corner 

11 Your Vote is Your Voice 

12 Ongoing Activities 

18 One-of-a-Kind Activities 

21 Cologne Christmas Market 

22 Holiday Bazaar 

26 October Calendar 

29 AWC and the Arts 

30 Fall Kick Off Collage 

32 FAWCO Corner 

33 Our Personal Food Chioces 

for Health and Environment 

36 Asian Food Festival 

39 9/11 Memorial Collage 

40 Mediterranean Cruise 

44 Announcements 

48 Classifieds 

49 Index of Advertisers 

and Ad Rates 

50 Restaurant 

Recommendations 

OCTOBER 2019 3

Editor 

Alex Moore 

2019-2020 AWC Officers 

Committee Chairs 

AWC Clubhouse 

Johan van Oldenbarneveltlaan 43 

2582 NJ Den Haag 

Tel: 070 350 6007 

info@awcthehague.org 

www.awcthehague.org 

Going Dutch Magazine 

goingdutchmag@awcthehague.org 

Clubhouse Hours 

Tuesday and Thursday 

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Monday, Wednesday and Friday Closed 

Dues (Effective 2019-2020) 

€ 110 per year (€ 66 after January 1) 

€ 90 business, professional 

€ 55 valid US military ID 

€ 35 student 

€ 35 Outside the Netherlands (Going 

Dutch magazine not included) 

Add € 15 new member registration fee 

Design and Layout 

Teresa Mahoney 

Cover Photo 

Japanese Garden October 2018 by Melissa 

White 

Photography 

Laurie Brooks, Jane Choy, Greetje 

Engelsman, Amber Gatewood, Audrey 

Goodman, Marsha Hagney, Suzanne 

MacNeil, Melissa Rider, Anne van Oorshot 

Melissa White 

Proofreaders 

Celeste Brown, Jane Gulde, Diane Schaap, 

Debbie van Hees 

Advertising Manager & Invoicing 

Theresa Lane 

Contributors 

Barbara Bookman, Mary Ellen Brennan, 

Laurie Brooks, Jane Choy, Paula Daeppen, 

Suzanne Dundas, Greetje Engelsman, Roberta 

Enschede, Jan Essad, Amber Gatewood, 

Audrey Goodman, Dena Haggerty, Jaimie 

Keppel, Suzanne MacNeil, Sunita Menon, 

Melissa Rider, Jo van Kalveen, Anne van 

Oorshot, Hilde Volle, Melissa White 

Printer 

www.dwcprint.nl 

AWC Bank Account Number 

IBAN: NL42ABNA0431421757 

KvK Den Haag 

40409274 

BTW or VAT: 007408705B01 

Honorary President Diane Hoekstra 

President Suzanne MacNeil 

president@awcthehague.org 

Vice President Melissa Rider 

vicepresident@awcthehague.org 

Treasurer Sheyla Karman 

treasurer@awcthehague.org 

Secretary Heather DeWitt 

secretary@awcthehague.org 

Club and Community Development 

Amber Gatewood 

community@awcthehague.org 

Clubhouse Administrator 

Jan Essad 

clubadministrator@awcthehague.org 

Communications Audrey Goodman 

communications@awcthehague.org 

Member-at-Large 

Sunita Menon 

Front Office 

Liduine Bekman, Siska Datema-Kool, 

Dominique Duysens, Georgia Regnault, 

Melissa Rider, Jessie Rodell 

Activities: Open 

Arts: Jane Choy 

Assistant Treasurer: Teresa Insalaco 

Assistant Membership: Liduine Bekman 

Board Advisor: Jessie Rodell 

Bookkeeper: Lore Schnebelie 

Caring Committee: Naomi Keip 

Chat, Craft & Cake: Suzanne Dundas 

eNews: Amber Gatewood 

Evening Events: Open 

FAWCO: Laurie Brooks & Barbara 

Brookman 

Front Office Coordinator: Open 

General Meeting Programs: Open 

Heart Pillow: Jan de Vries 

Historian/Archivist: Georgia Regnault 

Holiday Bazaar: Jaimie Keppel-Molenaar 

IT Administrator: Julie Otten 

Kids’ Club: Open 

Library: Dena Haggerty 

Lunch Bunch: Greetje Engelsman 

Membership: Mary Ellen Brennan 

Movie Network: Tina Andrews 

Newcomers: Jo van Kalveen & Hilde 

Volle 

Parliamentarian: Georgia Regnault 

Philanthropy: Holly Savoie 

Public Relations: Open 

Social Media: Ceci Wong & Julie Otten 

Tennis: Molly Boed 

Thirsty Thursday: Open 

Tours: Liduine Bekman 

Volunteer Coordinator: Laurie 

Martecchini 

Walkie Talkies: Emily van Eerten 

Webmaster: Julie Otten 

Women with Dutch Partners: Michelle 

Voorn 

Deadlines: Submissions are due no later than the last Monday of the month preceding the publication month. 

For example, for the December issue, submissions are due before Monday, October 28 

Please Note: Articles submitted to Going Dutch will be published subject to space limitations and editorial approval. 

All rights reserved; reprints only by written permission of the Editor. Please email to: goingdutchmag@ 

awcthehague.org 

Legal Notice: Articles in Going Dutch express the views and opinions of their authors alone, and not necessarily 

those of the AWC of The Hague, its Members or this publication. 

4 GOING DUTCH 

AWC Mission Statement 

The AWC is an association formed to provide social and educational activities for American 

women living in the Netherlands and to promote amicable relations among people of all nations, 

as well as acquiring funds for general public interest. Membership in the club is open 

to women of all nations who are friendly and welcoming to American culture. The association 

does not endeavor to make a profit. The AWC is a 100% volunteer organization. 


Message from the President 

by Suzanne MacNeil 

I 

trust that your September was filled with 

getting back into the swing of things as the 

last of the sand from your summer holiday 

was vacuumed out of the car (or wiped off 

your bike), children were well ensconced in 

school, and your month was busy with all 

things AWC The Hague. There were so many 

fun events and activities offered, and I hope 

you took advantage of at least a few of them 

and reconnected with friends from the Club. 

Once I returned from my three state― 

Massachusetts, Florida and California―vacation 

in August, I was ready to get back 

into our very full Club calendar. While I was 

away and thinking of my expat friends and 

throughout September as we reconnected, I 

came to realize that there’s so much more to 

our Club than just events and activities. It’s 

about sisterhood. And that point was driven 

home by a chance encounter at 35,000 

feet somewhere between California and my 

Dallas layover. After finding a window seat 

on my Southwest flight, I looked to my right 

after takeoff and sitting across the aisle was 

Teresa Braunschweig. Teresa repatriated to 

Dallas four years ago when her husband retired 

after serving as the military attaché at 

the American Embassy. She holds a special 

place in my heart because we met at an ASH 

adult education cooking class not long after 

I moved to The Hague. When I mentioned 

I was a new expat, Teresa told me about 

our Club and I joined. As soon as we were 

both off the plane, we hugged and chatted. 

No time seemed to have passed between us, 

and our conversation was 

just as easy as it was 

when we were 

learning how to 

cook Italian cuisine. 

We will 

be forever connected. 

6 GOING DUTCH 

Being an expat, 

as most of 

our Members 

are, doesn’t mean 

we’ve made a 

move to another 

city in another 

state in the same 

country in which 

we hold a passport. 

It means we’ve 

left easy access 

to our family and 

friends and may 

be an ocean away 

from those who hold a place in our hearts. 

Making new friends may have felt daunting 

when you first moved to the Netherlands. 

For me, those first few months were fearinducing, 

but that’s where our Club and our 

Members come in because they may be the 

only ones who truly understand. We are a 

unique group. Our Club sisters understand 

the highs and the lows of being an expat, 

the challenges and joys we experience, and 

offer a warm embrace when we need confirmation 

that we can make it to the other side. 

On the other side of expat life is having to 

say goodbye. We bond, we get one another, 

we can relate to unique struggles, but then 

reality slaps us in the face. Hard. For many 

of us this is a temporary assignment, which 

means we have to say “safe travels” over 

and over when our friends and Club sisters 

leave. We have laughed, and perhaps cried 

together, and then they’re gone. I’ve been 

to many going-away lunches in my seven 

years and sadly, I have three goodbyes this 

fall, two of them to Members of your Board. 

The now-retired Editor of Going Dutch 

and Communications Chair on the Board, 

Audrey Goodman, is moving back to 

Baltimore in December, several months earlier 

than she originally expected. A new job 

opportunity is beckoning, and she needs to 

be on the job by the first of the year. Her 

contributions to our Club are immeasurable. 

>>43 

October General Meeting 

by Suzanne MacNeil 

Internment, 

Release, 

Repatriation 

Henriette van 

Raalte was born 

and lived in Java at 

the start of World 

War II, where her 

mother worked for 

Shell in the Dutch 

East Indies and her 

father was a tax inspector. 

Not long 

after war broke out, Henriette and her family 

were interned in three different Japanese 

camps. Once the war ended, Henriette’s 

family repatriated to the Netherlands, specifically 

the Archipel area and she now 

lives in Benoordenhout. 

Henriette never forgot her years in the 

internment camps and she wrote a memoir 

in the 1990s, Mogen Wij Altijd in Dit 

Kamp Blijven? (Please, Can We Stay in 

This Camp Forever?). It is the story of a 

young child whose early years were shaped 

by living in the camps and who wasn’t sure 

why she had to return to the Netherlands. 

The book has been translated into Japanese 

and English with plans to turn Henriette’s 

story into a movie. She will join us for 

our October meeting to share her memories 

about a piece of history that touched 

the lives of many of our Dutch friends and 

neighbors. 

re-Building Lives Benefit: 

Update and Check Presentation 

Our Spring Benefit for Not for Sale raised 

more than € 17,000. Toos Heemskerk, the 

Director of Not for Sale, will be our guest. 

She will receive a ceremonial check for 

the organization and give Members a brief 

update about Not for Sale’s work since the 

benefit. 

Thursday, October 10 

10 – 10:30 a.m. Coffee and conversation 

10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Club news and 

updates 

10:45 – 11:30 a.m. Presentation by 

Henriette 


Guests are welcome 

Lunch at your own expense (Menu to be 

shared on www.awcthehague.org) 

Did you know that any woman who speaks English is eligible to join the 

American Women’s Club? 

Invite your English-speaking friends, wherever they’re from, to join us today! 


Letter from the Editor 

by Alex Moore 

It was a gray, muggy August evening. As I 

walked to the Thirsty Thursday, the clouds 

burst, pelting me with rain. I speedwalked 

to the restaurant, trying not to trip in my heels 

and faceplant into a murky puddle. I finally 

made it to the restaurant, tying my wet hair 

out of my face into a low ponytail, aiming to 

look somewhat presentable. As I greeted my 

fellow Members, I was asked, “Alex, do you 

want to be the Editor of Going Dutch?” Why 

yes, as a matter of fact, I do. 

Since I’m the new Editor of Going Dutch, 

it’s only fair to introduce myself. I’m Alex, 

and I’ve lived in the Netherlands for a year 

with my Dutch husband, Diederik. We met 

through a mutual friend in 2012 and spent 

much of our relationship crossing the globe 

for each other. I live in Rotterdam but work 

for Gracenote, which is an American company 

in Amsterdam. When I’m not working, 

I’m usually reading, writing, traveling, 

or hanging out with Diederik embarking on 

magical mystery tours around Rotterdam. 

Now to regale you all with my life story. At 

least, the more interesting details. Several 

years ago, I got the bright idea to attend 

Converse College, where I studied creative 

and professional writing, minoring in studio 

art because it’s what you do at a private, liberal 

arts women’s college in South Carolina. 

After I graduated, I returned to Florida for 

my MA in English at the University of West 

Florida. Then I taught at a community college 

in the area before heading to New Zealand. 

What was supposed to be a trip turned into 

a working holiday where I lived and worked 

in Auckland for several months. When I finished 

my contract, I traveled to Australia and 

the Cook Islands before gallivanting through 

the North and South Islands, working for accommodation 

in a hostel near Abel Tasman 

National Park. Yes, there are more sheep than 

people. 

When I returned to the US, I taught for another 

year before packing my bags again 

and going to South Korea to teach English. 

After waving goodbye to East Asia, I ended 

up in New England, although I’m still not 

sure how that happened. I spent a summer 

in Vermont, eating at every farmer’s market, 

driving to small towns with my mom, checking 

out Burlington, and basking in the New 

England summer that wasn’t as brutally hot 

as down south. After getting a job in Florida 

(of all places), I moved back, setting up shop 

in Pensacola, a beachside town known for its 

navy base and flight school, a town that can’t 

seem to let go of me no matter how far away I 

move, whether it’s Auckland, New Zealand; 

Seoul, South Korea; or Vergennes, Vermont. 

8 GOING DUTCH 

Now that I’ve rambled enough, I’d like to 

acknowledge Audrey Goodman and Teresa 

Mahoney. Without their hard work and patience, 

the magazine wouldn’t be as great as 

it is. I’d also like to thank everyone else who 

worked on this issue. There are not enough 

words to express my appreciation for everything 

you did to help out. I look forward to 

working together on this magazine, and I 

hope to see plenty of you around at various 

American Women’s Club events. 

Alex 


Membership 

by Mary Ellen Brennan 

Thank you for renewing your Membership 

with the AWC for the 2019/20 Club 

year and a warm welcome to those 

just joining. As an AWC Member you automatically 

become a Member of FAWCO 

(Federation of American Women’s Clubs 

Overseas). 

More benefits of being an AWC Member 

include the ability to gain entry into the 

wholesale stores Hanos in Delft and Sligro 

in Leidschendam and The Hague. The 

American Book Center in The Hague offers 

a 10% discount and the Crowne Plaza 

Promenade offers discounted rates on their 

health club, spa, and other services to our 

Members. Please remember to bring your 

Membership card to these businesses. 

If you have any questions about your 

Membership, please feel free to contact me 

at awcthehague.membership@gmail.com. 

Welcome New Members! 

Summer Fisk 

Hannah Gray 

Rebecca Niles 

Clubhouse Corner 

by Jan Essad & Sunita Menon 

Did you know our AWC Clubhouse is 

one of just a few of its kind left around 

The Hague? It’s what the Dutch call 

a Dijkhuis, the backside of the house is completely 

built into a dyke or the dunes. That 

means the back walls of our Clubhouse are 

underground. One of our neighbors has the 

most beautiful incline garden as high as our 

roof and our other neighbors have rooftop 

terraces/balconies with container gardens. 

The Clubhouse was the site of many events 

and activities in September, and sparkled after 

the summer’s clean out. Without the help 

of volunteers like Julie Mowat, the cleaning 

and sorting would have been an overwhelming 

task. Big thanks to Julie and all 

who helped out! 

Clubhouse Corner 

Did you know you can use the Clubhouse for a private event or business workshop 

or meeting? Interested? Contact your Clubhouse Administrators, Sunita and Jan, at 

clubadministrator@awcthehague.org for more details. 

Newcomers 

by Jo van Kalveen & Hilde Volle 

Your Vote is Your Voice 

Coffee Morning 

Join the AWC Newcomers Chairs for 

an informal coffee morning at the AWC 

Clubhouse. Meet and chat with fellow newcomers 

whilst eating some home-cooked 

treats. Stroopwafels will also be available. 

This time will be a great opportunity for you 

to ask any questions you may have about 

living here in the Netherlands: from how to 

use public transport, where to buy a certain 

item, restaurant recommendations, or how 

to navigate an invitation from your neighbor 

for a borrel. We are here to help with anything 

and everything! 

If you have any questions about your 

10 GOING DUTCH 

Membership, please feel free to contact us 

at newcomers@awcthehague.org. 


10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 


Can I vote absentee? 

You can vote absentee if you are a US citizen residing overseas. 

Even if I do not have a legal residence? 

Yes. Your legal state of residence is your address in the state in 

which you last resided. This residence is valid even if: 

• You no longer own property or have other ties. 

• Your intent to return is uncertain. 

• Your previous address is no longer a recognized residential 

address. 

If you choose to vote in upcoming elections, you should register 

and request an absentee ballot immediately. Go to: 

www.usvotefoundation.org or www.FVAP.gov for more 

information. 


Credit: Amazon 

Ongoing Activities 

Book Clubs 

The AWC Book Clubs are open to all readers, 

and new Members are especially welcome! 

There are no requirements that you 

must attend every meeting or lead a discussion. 

Snacks are provided by a different 

Member each month. There are two Book 

Clubs hosted by AWC Members: one in the 

daytime and one in the evening. Questions? 

Teresa Mahoney organizes the daytime 

group and can be reached at bookclubday@ 

awcthehague.org. Dena Haggerty handles 

the evening meetings and can be reached 

at bookclubevening@awcthehague.org. 

Happy reading! 

Daytime Book Club 

October Selection: Lanny: A Novel by 

Max Porter 

There’s a village an 

hour from London and 

it’s no different from 

many others today: one 

pub, one church, redbrick 

cottages, some 

public housing, and a 

few larger houses dotted 

about. Voices rise 

up, as they might anywhere, 

speaking of loving, needing, working, 

dying and walking the dogs. This village 

belongs to the people who live in it, to 

the land and to the land’s past. It also belongs 

to Dead Papa Toothwort, a mythical 

figure local schoolchildren used to draw as 

green and leafy, choked by tendrils growing 

out of his mouth, who awakens after a glorious 

nap. He is listening to this 21st-century 

village, to its symphony of talk: drunken 

confessions, gossip traded on the street corner, 

fretful conversations in living rooms. 

He is listening, intently, for a mischievous, 

ethereal boy whose parents have recently 

made the village their home: Lanny. 


10 a.m. 


FREE 

Daytime Book Club Reading List: 

November 21: Beloved by Toni Morrison 

December TBA: An American Princess: 

The Many Lives of Allene Tew by Annejet 

van der Zijl 

January 23: A Strangeness of My Mind by 

Orphan Pamuk 

Daytime Book Club Recap – August 

The Dry is an “award-winning novel.” 

That’s true. What award? Given by 

whom? Who else was considered for the 

award? We wondered these things as we 

discussed journalist Jane Harper’s first 

novel, a murder mystery set in a currentday, 

drought-ravaged, Australian farming 

community. (We also wondered what “ute” 

and “avro” mean. The book is heavy with 

Australianisms.) Awards aside, The Dry 

was Australia’s best-selling book in 2017, 

which is probably a more accurate barometer 

of this book’s value. It’s a crowd pleaser, 

no doubt, and an engaging read with a 

woman’s sensibility. The violence and sex 

scenes were discreet. This would have 

been a very different book if it had been 

written by a man. But it is flawed. One 

Member knew the identity and motivation 

of the killer immediately upon their introduction 

into the story. Others felt the book 

was written by outline―not in itself a flaw, 

but obviously a flaw when the outline is 

obvious. The protagonist, detective Aaron 

Falk, is also the protagonist in Harper’s 

follow-up book but many of us felt he was 

not fleshed out enough to carry a series. We 

gave Falk credit for being pleasant, handsome 

and smart enough. “Enough” sums 

up our judgment on The Dry. It’s engrossing 

enough and well-written enough for a 

vacation read. 

Credit: Amazon 

Evening Book Club 

October Selection: The Red Tent by Anita 

Diamant 

Her name is Dinah. In 

the Bible, her life is only 

hinted at in a brief and 

violent detour within the 

more familiar chapters 

of the Book of Genesis 

that are about her father, 

Jacob, and his dozen 

sons. Told in Dinah’s 

voice, this novel reveals 

the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood―the 

world of the red tent. It begins 

with the story of her mothers, the four wives 

of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts 

that are to sustain her through a damaged 

youth, a calling to midwifery, and a new 

home in a foreign land. Dinah’s story reaches 

out from a remarkable period of early 

history and creates an intimate, immediate 

connection. Deeply affecting, The Red Tent 

combines rich storytelling with a valuable 

achievement in modern fiction: a new view 

of biblical women’s society. 

Our location changes every month, so 

please contact Dena at bookclubevening@ 

awcthehague.org if you are interested in 

attending. 

Wednesday, October 9 

7:30 p.m. 

Location TBA 

FREE 

Evening Book Club Recap – August 

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn brought 

WWI alive. This novel featured two female 

protagonists: Eve and Charlie. Our 

group enjoyed wartime events being told 

from a woman’s standpoint. And not just 

any woman: a woman who had been on the 

front lines and not as a nurse. Eve is a great 

character. With each chapter, the reader 

slowly peels back the different layers of 

her personality until her truth is revealed― 

and what a truth! Oh, the stories she could 

tell. Charlie’s character, on the other hand, 

started a bit flat. She was a messed-up girl 

who, instead of facing her future, went off 

on a fool’s mission to find her cousin Rose, 

lost during the war. Charlie grew on us as 

her character was developed. Slowly, but 

Evening Book Club Reading List: 

November 13: TBA 

December 11: TBA 

surely, we learn how the two stories are 

interconnected and how the past of Eve 

and the present of Charlie weave together. 

These two stories together were necessary 

to complete the overarching story. 

Although fictional (even if roughly based 

on true characters), these characters and 

their stories were believable, which made 

them powerful. 

Chat, Craft & Cake 

Chat, Craft & Cake is a weekly highlight 

for those who enjoy crafts and camaraderie. 

Whether your craft is knitting, quilting, 

needlepoint or simply mending your 

clothes, or whether you are a beginner or an 

expert, you are welcome to join us. Fish that 

UFO (Unfinished Object) out of the drawer 

>> 14 



Ongoing Activities (cont.) 

Continued from page 13 

and get going on it again. CCandCer’s are 

always ready with a helping hand, a lesson, 

or some advice. Each week, a different 

Member brings a cake―tried and true, or 

experimental. Babysitting is not available 

and there are lots of sharp objects about 

(pins, needles, scissors and wit) so we cannot 

accommodate children. Contact Suzanne 

Dundas at chatcraftcake@awcthehague.org 

for more information 

Every Tuesday 

10 a.m. – Noon 


FREE 

Heart Pillow Project 

Members work together to make heartshaped 

pillows designed to help support 

the arms of recent mastectomy patients. 

Each pillow is made with TLC, wrapped, 

and comes with a note signed by an AWC 

volunteer. No sewing skills are needed, as 

you can cut, stuff, or wrap the heart pillows. 

We are proud to provide men and women 

with something both practical and comforting, 

and we know our work helps because 

we often receive thank-you notes and emails 

from the patients who have received a heart 

pillow. For more information, please contact 

Jan de Vries at heartpillow@awcthehague. 

org. 

Tuesday, October 8 

Noon – 2 p.m. 


FREE 

Visitors Welcome 

Out to Lunch Bunch 

This month’s restaurant, recommended 

by Amber Gatewood, is the urban bistro 

MaMa Kelly (www.mama-kelly.nl), which 

opened its doors in 2015 in the former boiler 

house of the Caballero Cigarette Factory 

in The Hague. The high ceilings, original 

boilers and other references to the history 

of the building make MaMa Kelly a very 

interesting place. Lunch is served next to 

the big dining area: don’t forget to take a 

look! Expect the unexpected because MaMa 

Kelly specializes in lobster and chicken. Ask 

yourself: how often have you put your fork 

into half a chicken or lobster in an industrial 

estate on the outskirts of The Hague? 

Friday, October 11 

Noon – 2:30 p.m. 

MaMa Kelly 

Saturnusstraat 100, 2516 AH, Den Haag 

Registration Deadline: October 9 

Sign up at www.awcthehague.org 

Tennis League 

Players needed! The AWC Tennis Group 

plays doubles every Tuesday in Warmond. 

Ladies move up and down the courts according 

to a ladder tennis system. The emphasis 

is on having fun! The League is available 

for all levels except true beginners. Contact 

Molly Boed at mollyboed@gmail.com for 

more information. 

Every Tuesday 

(except specific holidays TBD) 

1 – 3 p.m. 

Dekker Tennis Courts 

Veerpolder 14, Warmond 

€ 275 Members / € 325 nonmembers 

>> 16 



Ongoing Activities (cont.) 


Thirsty Thursday 

Join us again for our monthly gathering. 

Thirsty Thursday is a casual evening of 

companionship and good conversation – a 

favorite for AWC Members and prospective 

Members. Two soft drinks, wine or 

beer, plus snacks are included in the fee 

payable at the restaurant. 


6 – 9 p.m. 

Domo Eclectica Conceptstore 

Annastraat 11, 2513 AT, Den Haag 

€ 15 for two drinks and food 

No RSVP needed 

Walkie Talkies 

Whether you count your steps or just 

want to walk with friends, the Monday 

morning Walkie Talkies is a fun, healthy 

and energetic way to start the week. The 

Upcoming Thirsty Thursdays: 

November 21: Location TBA 

December 19: Location TBA 

group meets in front of the Clubhouse 

before heading out to walk to various 

destinations in the area, usually racking 

up 10,000 steps along the way. Please 

check the AWC Facebook page or contact 

Emily van Eerten at walkietalkies@ 

awcthehague.org for last minute updates 

and cancellations. 

Mondays 

9:30 a.m. 


Free 


Wassenaar Coffee & 

Conversation 

If you live in or north of Wassenaar, join 

your neighbors for coffee and conversation 

once-a-month without having to drive 

to the Clubhouse. One Member will host a 

casual coffee at her home at 9:30 a.m. on the 

first Thursday of every month. Prospective 

Members are welcome too. The location 

changes every month, so contact Suzanne 

Dundas at chatcraftcake@awcthehague.org 

if you are interested in attending or for more 

information. 


9:30 a.m. 

Location TBA 

FREE 

Cancellation Policy 

Members may reserve a spot for an AWC tour, activity or event in advance. Payment is 

required within five business days of the reservation or before the deadline date (whichever 

is sooner) otherwise your name will be moved to a waitlist. It is the responsibility of the 

Member to notify the Club at vicepresident@awcthehague.org to cancel a reservation prior 

to the cancellation deadline. Please note that there will be NO REFUNDS (no exceptions) 

after the cancellation deadline. Members may find a substitute in lieu of cancellation 

provided that arrangements are made with the tour, activity or event organizer. Members 

shall be held responsible for their guest reservations in accordance with this policy. 



One-of-a-Kind Activities 

by Melissa Rider 

RSVP directly on www.awcthehague.org. Direct any questions to 

vicepresident@awcthehague.org 

Payment must be made within 5 calendar days of reserving or your name will be moved to a waitlist. 

Payment can be made in the Front Office by PIN, on the AWC website (www.awcthehague.org) or by 

bank transfer to the AWC account NL42ABNA0431421757. 

Dutch Democracy Talk 

To better understand the relationship between 

democracy and royalty in the 

Netherlands, as well as the differences between 

the US and Dutch styles of government, 

join us for a discussion on the topic 

led by Greetje Engelsman. It will be the 

perfect accompaniment to the following 

week’s tour of the Parliament buildings in 

The Hague. 


10 – 11:30 a.m. 


Free 


in both continents and have become part 

of many municipal and private collections 

on both sides of the Atlantic. We hope you 

will join us for this opportunity to meet 

Albert, enjoy some wine and cheese while 

viewing the contrasting collection of oils, 

watercolors and pastel paintings of Holland 

and the US. For a preview of his life and 

work, his book Painting is My Life is available 

from the AWC Front Desk and Library. 

Looking forward to seeing you there. 

Sunday, October 13 

4 – 7 p.m. 


All are welcome. Please bring a friend! 

Free 


Dutch Politics Tour of Parliament 

Buildings and The Knight’s Hall 

This tour will give us a complete overview 

of the remarkable origin of The Hague’s city 

center and its current place in the Dutch political 

system. We will visit the Parliament 

buildings and the Hall of Knights. Don’t 

miss this opportunity to tour the Binnenhof, 

which soon will be closed to tours while undergoing 

a major renovation project. 


10 – 11:30 a.m. 

Arrive by 9:45 a.m. at the Pro Demos 

Visitor Center, located at Hofweg 1 

€ 15 Members / € 20 non-members 

Cancellation Deadline: October 9 


Floral Arranging Workshop 

Have a vase but not sure how to create a 

floral arrangement? Bring that vase to the 

Clubhouse and join Linda Sisselman, a floral 

designer from Nashville, when she explains 

the principles of how best to use the 

abundance of flowers in the Netherlands to 

create decor for everything from a simple 

tabletop to an elaborate design for special 

occasions. You’ll go home with a vase filled 

with beautiful flowers of your own creation! 

Monday, October 21 

1 – 4 p.m. 


Minimum 5 / Maximum 15 

€ 30 


Sign up at www.awcthehague.org >>20 

Unique products 

for entrepreneurs 

Meet the Artist Reception 

The first artist invited to exhibit his work 

in the US Embassy in The Hague, as well 

as in many other prestigious international 

venues, Albert Dolmans returns once more 

to the AWC with his paintings, as our Artist 

in Residence this fall. The Dutch-American 

partner of AWC Member, Sheila Gazaleh, 

he now resides in his native Holland having 

spent the larger part of his life in the San 

Francisco Bay Area. His modern classical 

paintings are the result of extensive travels 


Sligro The Hague Forepark is the perfect fit for you as entrepreneur. 

We inspire and support you with our products and services, that will 

help you with your business. Our people are always there for you 

with professional and tailored advice. 

sligro.nl 

Linge 2, The Hague 

1061246 


One-of-a-Kind Activities (cont.) 


Cologne Christmas Market Trip 

by Melissa Rider 

Quiz Night 

“John, Paul, George and Ringo were the first 

names of which British musical quartet?” 

“True or false: A watermelon falling on his 

head inspired Sir Isaac Newton to ponder 

what would become his Law of Universal 

Gravitation.” Feeling clever? Then you’ll 

enjoy Quiz Night at the Clubhouse. You’ll 

compete in teams of six, and there will be 

prizes for each round as well as a grand 

prize for the overall winners. Come with 

a complete team or form one that evening. 

Spouses and guests are welcome. To keep 

things simple, it’s BYOB. We’re asking 

everyone to bring your own drinks and/or 

snacks for your table to share. If you have 

any questions, contact Suzanne Dundas at 

activities@awcthehague.org. 

Saturday, October 26 

7:30 – 10 p.m. 


Maximum 36 

€ 10 Members and non-members 



Halloween Party 

Your ghouls and goblins are invited to a sugary 

party at the Clubhouse for Halloween! 

Children of all ages are welcome to spend 

Halloween evening playing games, trick or 

treating, having their faces painted, and enjoying 

a night to get to know other 'junior' 

AWC Members! Moms and dads won't be 

forgotten as adult treats will be served. 


6 - 8 p.m. 


Costumes requested! 

€ 15 per family 

Registration Deadline: October 28 


Haagse Markt Foodie Tour 

Come spend your Saturday morning exploring 

the Haagse Markt (The Hague Market), 

one of the largest multicultural markets in 

Europe. Our guide will take us on a twohour 

culinary world tour that stimulates 

the taste buds. As we walk along the rows 

of colorful stands, we’ll stop to taste exotic 

and Dutch products from a range of vendors. 

Depending upon the season, each week between 

35,000 to 42,000 people visit the market, 

which hosts more than 500 stands. You 

can find fruits and vegetables from around 

the world and some of the best fresh fish in 

town. Before beginning our culinary journey, 

we’ll meet our guide for coffee at 10 a.m. at 

the Marketplace located at Hoflandplein 17, 

at the end of Herman Costerstraat and on the 

Hoefkade side of the market. It’s easily accessible 

by tram 11 or 12. 

Saturday, November 2 

10 a.m. – Noon 

Marketplace 

Hoflandplein 17, Den Haag 




AWC Guest Policy 

Guests are welcome to participate in 

AWC activities and tours on a limited 

basis. As a nonmember, a guest is limited 

to attend two functions per calendar year 

and will be charged an additional non- 

It’s never 

too early 

to make 

plans for the 

annual AWC 

Christmas 

Market Trip 

if you want 

the best price. 

To allow for 

more flexibility 

for our 

Members this 

year, we’ll 

be traveling 

to Cologne, 

Germany 

via train on 

Tuesday, 

December 10. 

You can opt to spend the day or stay overnight 

to enjoy the city’s seven markets. 

The Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral 

is the largest and most well-known with 

over 150 wooden stalls, and nearby, in front 

of Town Hall, is the Alter Markt. These 

aren’t the only markets in the city. There’s 

also the Market of Angels, the city’s oldest 

market, located on the Neumarkt Square, 

while Heavenue has only been in existence 

for two years. The Harbour Christmas 

Market with its maritime flair is held at the 

Chocolate Museum in a picturesque setting 

beside the Rhine River. The Village of St. 

Nicholas on the Rudolfplatz has the medieval 

Hahnentorburg as its historic backdrop. 

The smaller and quieter Stadtgarten Markt 

is located in the Belgian Quarter of the city. 

Finally, if you want a break from shopping, 

eating, and drinking glühwein, you can follow 

the Route of the Nativity Scenes to see 

these displays in more than 110 locations 

throughout the city. 

this event, Liduine Bekman and Melissa 

Rider, please follow these instructions: 

Train 

Go to www.nsinternational.nl to purchase 

your train ticket. You should purchase your 

ticket from Utrecht Centraal to Koln Hbf 

on the ICE train, 1st class. You want 1st 

class to have a reserved seat and it is only 

€ 10 extra. You can use your OV-chipkaart 

to buy the portion of your ticket from Den 

Haag Centraal to Utrecht on the day of travel—just 

don’t forget to check out at Utrecht 

Centraal. 

Dates/Times 

Tuesday, December 10: Depart Utrecht 

Centraal 8:37, arrive Koln 10:46 

Wednesday, December 11: Depart Koln Hbf 

17:46, arrive Utrecht 20:01 

NOTE: You will be on the same train as 

Liduine and Melissa if you book these 

dates/times. 

Hotel 

Liduine and Melissa have booked rooms at 

the Hotel City Class Residence am Dom, 

www.cityclass.de. If you prefer to reserve 

through www.booking.com, contact Melissa 

to get the link. 

Once you have completed your travel 

arrangements, or if you have questions, 

please send me an email at vicepresident@ 

awcthehague.org. 

member fee. Only Members are entitled 

to use babysitting services. 

Members must book their own transportation 

and overnight accommodations. If 

you want to travel with the organizers of 



Holiday Bazaar – Festive 

Cheer and Shopping Joy 

As the leaves change color 

and start falling, you know 

that winter is not far behind. 

And that means it is almost time 

for the 2019 Holiday Bazaar! This 

year we’ll be at The Hague Marriott 

Hotel. The ballroom of the Marriott 

will be filled with sparkling jewelry, 

cuddly scarves, warm hats, delicious 

wine, and joyful decorations. You’ll 

also be able to support several of our 

own Members who will be selling 

their goods. Come to The Hague 

Marriott Hotel on November 9 and 

10, where you’ll find a wide selection 

of unique gifts sure to please everyone 

on your gift list—including you. 

Saturday, November 9 and 

Sunday, November 10 

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

The Hague Marriott Hotel 

Johan de Wittlaan 30, 2517 JR, 

The Hague 

Entry: € 2 Adults / Children 

under 12 Free 

by Jaimie Keppel 



Santa’s Elves Unite! 

by Amber Gatewood 

We’d love for our shoppers to see your friendly face at the 2019 AWC Holiday Bazaar 

– our Club’s most important fundraising event! Whether you’re a smiling greeter, 

selling tasty baked goods, or taking payments, our Bazaar is the ultimate way to 

spread a bit of holiday cheer. Volunteers are needed on both Saturday, November 9 and 

Sunday, November 10, with two shifts each day from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. – closing. 

Most jobs involve working in pairs made up of an experienced Member and a newer one. 

There is absolutely a job for everyone to choose from, including: 

• Entry Table (Welcome guests and sell entry tickets) 

• General Floor Monitor (Help where needed) 

• Bake Sale Table (Sell baked goods) 

• Raffle Table (Sell raffle tickets) 

• Payment Table (Take/track PIN payments) 

Laurie Martecchini is our Volunteer Coordinator. Please 

send her an email at volunteercoordinator@awcthehague. 

org to let her know which day and job you prefer. See you at 

the Marriott with bells on...sleigh bells, that is! 

Santa Needs Baking Elves, Too 

by Jaimie Keppel 

As the holidays roll around, we recall wonderful times with family and friends. And I 

bet you also have fond memories of a favorite cookie or pie or savory treat. Dust off 

those recipes for your favorite sweet or savory 

dessert for the annual AWC Holiday Bazaar. Your delicious 

baked goods will help sustain those who are busy 

shopping! 

If baking isn’t your talent but you’d like to help the 

shoppers enjoy the sweet treats, we are also looking for 

people to volunteer at the Bake Sale during the Bazaar. 

To volunteer to bake, please email me at holidaybazaar@ 

awcthehague.org. 



October 2019 

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 

1 

2 3 

4 5 

Chat, Craft & Cake 10 a.m. 

AWC Tennis 1 p.m. 

Wassenaar Coffee and 

Conversation 9:30 a.m. 

6 7 

Walkie Talkies 9:30 a.m 

8 


Heart Pillow Workshop 

Noon 

9 

Dutch Democracy Talk 

10 a.m. 

10 

Coffee 10 a.m. 

Ocober General Meeting 

10:30 a.m. 

11 

Out to Lunch Bunch Noon 

12 

Buddy Check 12 


Evening Book Club 

7:30 p.m. 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 19 

Meet the Artist Reception 

4 p.m 




Dutch Politics Tour 

9:45 a.m 

Newcomers Coffee Morning 

10:30 a.m 

Thirsty Thursday 6 p.m. 

20 21 

22 

23 24 

25 26 



Daytime Book Club 10 a.m. 

Floral Arrangement 

Workshop 1 p.m 


Quiz Night 7:30 p.m 

27 28 


29 


Guided Tour of Monet:The 

Garden Paintings 11 a.m. 


30 31 

Halloween Party 6 p.m 

Save the Dates: 

November 2: Foodie Tour of the Haagse Markt 

November 9 –10: Holiday Bazaar 

November 20: Royal Delft Trip 

November 28: Thanksgiving in Leiden 

December 10 –11: Cologne Christmas Market 



AWC and the Arts 

by Jane Choy, AWC Member and Mauritshuis Docent 

Guided Tour of Monet: The 

Garden Paintings 

Monique Varma will be our guide through 

Monet: The Garden Paintings, the first 

ever Dutch exhibition of this part of 

Monet’s oeuvre, and will star the Gemeente 

Museum’s own Wisteria alongside three 

of its six siblings. This exhibit focuses on 

the period 1900 to 1926. During this time 

Monet lived a secluded life on his property 

in Giverny, where he produced his 

renowned paintings of his own gardens, 

depicting the gardens in an increasingly 

abstract style. Many art historians have 

wrongly attributed this stylistic change to 

failing eyesight. But, in fact, Monet—at 

the height of his career —was still exploring 

new artistic frontiers, which later had a 

major impact on artists such as Rothko and 

Pollock. 

RSVP for all Arts Activities directly 

on www.awcthehague.org 

Direct any questions to 

jechoy@me.com 


11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

Gemeente Museum 

Maximum 15 / Minimum 10 


Museum entrance fee is € 19.50, or € 3.50 

with Museumkaart 


It is possible to sign up after this date if 

there is space 

The new AWC Website is now up and running! 

Please visit 

www.awcthehague.org 

for all of your Club-related needs: 

Payment of Membership dues, registration for activities and events, 

Membership directory, etc. 

If you have any questions about the website, please contact 

communications@awcthehague.org 




Fall 

Kick 

Off

FAWCO Corner 

by Barbara Brookman & Laurie Brooks, AWC the Hague 

FAWCO Representatives 

Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, a United Nations NGO with 

consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council 

www.fawco.org. 

Last month we focused on the four 

Global Issues Pillars of FAWCO: 

Education, Environment, Health, and 

Human Rights. This month, we’d like to focus 

on a few other aspects of FAWCO: the Target 

Program and our UN involvement. 

The Target Health Education Chair, who 

hails from our sister club in Amsterdam, 

wrote a truly informative blog post, 

Menstrual Health and the Problem with 

Menstrual Stigma. There is a wealth of information 

in the post (which can be found at 

www. tinyurl.com/yxfu84dv), and here is just 

a taste of what it includes: 

“Globally, the stigma of menstruation is perpetrated 

by cultural taboos, discrimination, 

lack of education, silence and period poverty 

(the inability to access/afford feminine 

hygiene products). For instance, although 

Nepal criminalized the use of menstrual 

huts in 2017 after deaths had occurred, the 

practice of isolating menstruating women 

and girls continues. Instead of being banned 

to a remote hut, separate areas of a house 

or community are reserved for menstruating 

females, who may not have contact with 

other people or animals, prepare food, touch 

books, etc., due to the belief that menstruating 

females are impure.” 

International Day of Peace 

We also learned in this month’s FAWCO 

News in Brief that September 21 is the 

International Day of Peace. The UN established 

this International Day in 1981 and 

once a permanent date of September 21 was 

set in 2002, an assembly declared that the 

day should be observed as a day of global 

ceasefire and non-violence. 

The 2019 theme was Climate Action for 

Peace, which drew attention to the importance 

of combatting climate change as a way 

to protect and promote peace throughout the 

world. Please visit www.un.org/en/events/ 

peaceday to read more about this important 

day devoted to worldwide peace. 

Our Personal Food Choices 

for Health and Environment 

by Anne van Oorschot & Paula Daeppen (AWC Zurich) 

Now that the newness of this Club and 

academic year is behind us, I’d like to 

introduce myself. In addition to being 

a longtime AWC The Hague Member, I am 

also the Co-Chair of FAWCO’s Environment 

Team. FAWCO, of which our AWC is a founding 

member, is an organization of volunteers, 

much like our Club. In addition to offering 

support and help to other clubs, FAWCO also 

tries to make a global impact on important 

issues by increasing awareness and encouraging 

positive actions. The Environment Team 

publishes monthly articles on current environmental 

issues, and I like to pass these articles 

on to you. They are all written by members 

of the Environment Team, who are volunteer 

club members just like you. This month Paula 

from AWC Zurich offers new insights into 

what we eat: 

I can imagine that nearly everyone who 

reads this is already doing many things to 

help preserve the viability of our planet. 

With our choices, we try to do our part: recycling, 

avoiding plastic, composting food 

and yard waste, shopping with reusable 

bags, taking public transportation or driving 

fuel-efficient vehicles. 

At the same time, most of us are also concerned 

about our own physical health. We 

want to eat a healthy diet. We have all 

heard that a diet rich in plant-based foods 

and with fewer animal sourced foods will 

contribute to improved personal health 

as well as have urgently needed environmental 

benefits. Eating healthy should be 

a “win-win” situation for both people and 

planet. 

>> 34 



Our Personal Food Choices (cont.) 


A healthy diet within safe planetary boundaries 

for food production should take into 

consideration at least these six factors: 

1. Is the product environmentally friendly? 

2. Has soil and water been contaminated? 

3. How many natural resources were used 

up? 

4. Has it had a negative effect on biodiversity? 

5. What was the social impact of its production 

on humans and animals? 

6. What effect has its production had on 

the lives and health of the local population? 

The production cycles behind a lot of the 

“healthy” foods that we consume can have 

serious consequences for our planet and the 

people who produce them. 

Are Superfoods Really Super? 

Everyone seems to be talking about “superfoods.” 

We are told to eat things rich in 

nutrients like avocados from Mexico, chia 

seeds from Central or South America, goji 

berries from China and Tibet, quinoa from 

Bolivia, and other fashionable foods. We 

are told that these, usually expensive, super 

foods are better than competing items in providing 

health benefits, ranging from fighting 

disease or aiding in digestion to promoting 

brain or heart health. With those claims, we 

forget the dark side of their production: the 

long transport, cultivation in areas suffering 

from drought, deforestation, the working 

conditions of the farmers, and the use 

of pesticides. The foods themselves are not 

the problem; the problem is the social and 

environmental footprint of their production. 

Food does not have to come from exotic 

places to be healthy. There are wonderful 

alternatives in our own gardens, available 

from local farmers or the shelves in our local 

organic shops. Transporting food is one 


of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse 

gas emissions, according to the World 

Watch Institute. Each year, 817 million tons 

of food are shipped around the world. The 

result is that a basic diet of imported products 

can use four times the energy and produce 

four times the emissions of an equivalent 

domestic diet! 

The Blood Diamond of Mexico 

There are many superfoods that are taking 

a bite out of the planet. One of them is the 

much-loved avocado. The demand for avocados 

has more than tripled in Europe in the 

past ten years. One third of all the avocados 

that are consumed globally come from 

Mexico. The Irish star chef JP McMahon 

calls the avocado “the blood diamond of 

Mexico.” Every year 4,000 hectares of forest 

are destroyed to make room for more 

avocado plantations. 

It takes approximately 1,150 liters of water 

to produce 1 kilo of avocados. An estimated 

850 liters of water is needed for production, 

storage and transport, resulting in less water 

making its way into rivers. In Mexico and 

Chile, rivers have completely dried up as a 

result of the avocado boom. Avocados are 

also produced in California where there is 

a long-term water shortage. The heavy fruit 

is then shipped from the tropics and must be 

kept cool in route. 

There is really no replacement alternative 

for the taste and versatility of this fruit. For 

those who do not want to give up avocados 

completely, look for organic and fair-trade 

avocados and make this a special treat that 

is consumed seldomly. 

Grains and Seeds from Afar 

For many of the other so-called superfoods, 

we can find good alternatives in our local 

shops that are less exotic and less expensive. 

It seems that today the most popular grains 

and seeds are those from afar, such as quinoa 

from the Andes or chia, the super seed 

of the Aztecs and Mayans. 

Quinoa is a nutrient-dense, gluten-free 

pseudo grain―it’s actually a seed―which 

has been grown by indigenous peasants for 

thousands of years. With the burgeoning 

demand in Europe and the US for healthy, 

gluten-free grains, quinoa has become very 

popular. The dark side of this boom is that 

today, most Bolivians can no longer afford 

to consume their traditional grain, which is 

now grown for export rather than local consumption. 

The change in the traditional diet 

has made the quinoa-growing region of the 

country the most malnourished. The area 

also faces decreased soil fertility, as farmers 

mine their soil to grow quinoa year after 

year to meet Western demand, instead of 

using traditional methods of rotating crops 

with llama pasture to restore fertility and 

prevent erosion. The situation with the expensive 

and climate sensitive chia seeds is 

similar. Chia is grown mostly in Central or 

South America requiring a long transport to 

reach most of the consumers who want this 

luxury superfood. 

You might be surprised to learn that most of 

us can have locally grown vitamin bombs 

with the same benefits for a fraction of the 

environmental price. Linseed is an excellent 

alternative to chia as are walnuts and rapeseed 

oil. We have plenty of healthy grains 

grown closer to home, like barley, oats or 

the gluten-free buckwheat that are good for 

us and the planet. 

Planetary Boundaries for Food 

We can make a powerful statement against 

the malnutrition and environmental devastation 

caused by industrial export farming 

by spending our money at home supporting 

small farmers who use good land management 

practices to maintain fertile soils and 

produce high-quality, local food. Labels 

need to be examined and questions asked 

about source. We need to become mindful 

shoppers and consumers giving as much 

thought to the planetary effects of what we 

eat as well as our own health. 

An important new report by the EAT-Lancet 

Commission states that “food is the single 

strongest lever to optimize human health 

and environmental sustainability on Earth” 

and shows that feeding ten billion people a 

healthy diet within safe planetary boundaries 

for food production by 2050 is both possible 

and necessary. How food is produced, 

what is consumed, how much is lost or wasted, 

effect the health of people and planet. 

“Global consumption of fruits, vegetables, 

nuts and legumes will have to double, and 

consumption of foods such as red meat and 

sugar will have to be reduced by more than 

50%.” 

Other sources: 

www.biovision.ch 

www.worldwatch.org/food-agriculture 

www.smallfootprintfamily.com 


Asian Food Festival Utrecht 

by Alex Moore 

Okonomiyaki. Sushi. Soy sauce. Ramen. 

Poke bowls. Loempias. Deep fried 

sushi. Masaman curry. Panaeng curry. 

Sriracha. Takoyaki. Nasi goreng. Yakitori. 

Bulgogi. Dim sum. Gyozas. Hungry? Me 

too. Confused? Read on. 

Back in May, my husband and I went to the 

Joy Sushi Festival in The Hague, where we 

ate our way through East and Southeast Asia 

including sushi, Korean fried chicken, bami 

goreng and gyoza, to name a few. After rolling 

our way back to Den Haag Centraal 

for the long trek back to Rotterdam, I immediately 

searched for other Asian food 

festivals. As it turned out, the same food 

festival would be in Utrecht in September. 

After a discussion that lasted a nanosecond, 

he agreed to go. 

I’m lucky to have a husband who likes Asian 

food as much as I do even if he leaves off the 

peanut sauce because of his life-threatening 

allergy. The fact that most of it is dairy free 

is another bonus for him. Yes, that’s right. A 

Dutchman who can’t have dairy or peanuts. 

The jury is still out on his Dutchness, and 

sometimes I wonder if I actually married 

an American. Especially when he adopts 

the same “go big or go home” attitude at 

food festivals, a direct contradiction to the 

Calvinist sensibilities he was raised by. 

We drove to Utrecht and managed to find 

a parking space near Griftpark. Judging 

from that miracle, I could tell our day was 

off to a good start. Food trucks were selling 

Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese 

and Indonesian food. It was mostly the 

same as last time, but the difference was 

we had Thai massages and live music in 

one section. We also found a tent with arcade 

games, a tent we skipped because otherwise 

we would have spent several hours 

there while I showed Ms. Pac-Man who is 

in charge. However, certain things remained 

the same such as the karaoke stand and the 

sushi workshop. 

A DJ played a variety of music from the 

80s and 90s while a man on stilts played the 

saxophone, notes from the sax matching the 

early 90s bop Groove is in the Heart. As we 

walked by the karaoke stand, we were treated 

to an off-key version of I Will Survive. It 

made me nostalgic for all the hours I spent 

in karaoke rooms in Korea listening to everyone 

belt out their favorite K-pop songs 

in the privacy of a room where only friends, 

colleagues and bystanders witnessed the lunacy. 

Before we began eating, Diederik spotted 

a tent offering sushi-making classes. We 

considered the option before we realized 

that being around sushi would only make us 

hungrier. Food first, learning later. Unless 

we collapsed from a food coma, a likely 

occurrence given all of the deliciousness 

coming from every direction. Another tent 

nearby contained a wine bar, where people 

enjoyed a Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc in the 

warm weather. Several meters away was a 

beer tent serving Asian beers such as Asahi 

and Sapporo. 

We began our culinary tour in Japan with 

sushi. We sat on bar stools where a conveyor 

belt displayed different plates of sushi and 

side dishes such as edamame and shrimp 

tempura. Diederik chose salmon nigiri, 

while I chose tuna nigiri. This particular 

stand got our attention because it reminded 

us of the restaurant in Akihabara where we 

ordered sushi in the same way on our 

>> 38 

Travel4U@americantravelcenter.net/www.americantravelcenter.nl/tel. +3261234901 

“Our next holiday is 

a safari. They do 

the whole world!” 

“They make booking a 

holiday so easy. I just 

leave it to them!” 

“Every trip is 

customized, just for 

me! That’s unique!” 



Asian Food Festival Utrecht (cont.) 


Tokyo trip in 2016. Savoring the unique flavors 

of ahi tuna and wasabi mixed together 

made our long trek worthwhile. After a few 

plates of sushi, we said sayonara and continued 

onward. 

The next stop took us to another part of East 

Asia: Korea. We said annyeong haseyo to 

the rich, intense spices of Korean cuisine. 

We found a food truck called Aginamu that 

leaned towards fusion, combining traditional 

Korean food such as bulgogi and gochujang 

pork in a sandwich. I was torn between 

the beef bulgogi and gochujang pork, but I 

love spicy so we chose the gochujang pork. 

Our sandwiches included kimchi, lettuce, 

and onions. It’s hard to find good Korean 

food outside of Asia, but this food truck did 

not disappoint. The food truck name was 

written in Hangeul, so I read it out loud because 

I am determined not to forget how to 

read Korean. I can’t speak it to save my life, 

but reading it is my standard party trick. The 

friendly owner explained to us that it means 

“baby tree” in Korean, and it was one of 

the first things he remembered hearing as a 

child. He was born in Seoul but came to the 

Netherlands as a young child. We’d never 

tried Korean food in a sandwich, but now 

we’ve discovered a new way to enjoy it. 

As we strolled around in the sunshine, we 

came across a Thai massage tent sponsored 

by Take Care Thaise Wellness. As much 

as I love eating my weight in Asian food, 

I can’t resist a cheap massage. Neither can 

Diederik. While we waited our turns for a 

massage, we watched one of the live musical 

groups perform. They started with 

Finesse by Bruno Mars and Cardi B, a song 

that sounds straight out of the 90s. Their 

rendition of Price Tag could give Jessie J a 

run for her money. 

Ten euros and ten minutes later, we felt more 

zen. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear 

I was at some massage parlor in Bangkok. 

Minus the stinky sweet stench of durian that 

reeked from outside. I picked up one of their 

flyers where I learned that they have options 

such as Thai Massage at € 50 for one hour. 

Next time I’m in Utrecht, I will be sure to 

stop by for a massage. 

Before we left, I had to get one more Korean 

food fix. I ordered Korean fried chicken 

from the food truck Pass the Peas. As soon 

as I took a bite of their extra crispy fried 

chicken, I felt like I was back in Seoul chowing 

down in a warm restaurant with good 

friends during a brutal Korean winter while 

the bright lights flashed outside. The perfect 

9/11 Memorial Service 

mix of crisp and smoky spice of gochujang 

was a great way to end a culinary tour. 

Indeed, I’m a sucker for Asian food. 

Whether it’s East Asian or Southeast Asian, 

I will eat it all from gyozas to samgyeopsal 

to ramen to bami to curry to bulgogi. And 

then some. 



Mediterranean Cruise 

by Audrey Goodman 

My husband and I set off for a ten-day 

adventure in July, cruising around 

the Mediterranean. Italy was on our 

bucket list and we really enjoy cruises, so we 

booked a seven-night Celebrity cruise on the 

Infinity ship. Our trip started in Venice and 

ended in Rome, with stops in Split, Kotor, 

Corfu and Naples. 

tour of the Doge’s Palace, which included a 

pass over the Bridge of Sighs. We also took 

a very touristy gondola ride and visited a 

glass showroom that provided a demonstration. 

We couldn’t make it to the island of 

Murano, famous for its glassmaking, so the 

showroom was the next best thing. 

We arrived in Venice a day early and took 

a water taxi from the airport to our hotel. 

Seeing the city from the water was a fun way 

to start our visit and a great introduction to 

Venice. We spent the first day wandering the 

streets; walking through the Jewish quarter, 

over the Rialto Bridge, and back toward the 

train station. We stopped for a quick dinner, 

which obviously included pasta, alongside 

one of the many canals. The next morning, 

we took the People Mover to the cruise 

terminal, where the check-in process was 

incredibly quick and easy. We were on the 

ship with a glass of champagne in hand, in 

less than 15 minutes! Our first day onboard 

was spent unpacking, lounging by the pool, 

and making the most of our drink package. 

The ship stayed in port the first night, giving 

us another day in Venice. We booked a 

Our next port was Split, Croatia, where we 

took part in a walking tour of Diocletian’s 

Palace, which was easily reached by foot 

from the ship. After our tour, we stumbled 

upon Diocletian’s Wine House, where we 

had a fantastic lunch. The rest of our afternoon 

was spent exploring the many markets 

spread throughout the city, before returning 

to the ship. 

We woke up early the next morning to 

enjoy the cruise into the Bay of Kotor in 

Montenegro. The views of the coastline 

were amazing, and well worth the six a.m. 

alarm. And ordering room service the night 

before was a smart choice! Since the port 

is so small, our ship remained anchored in 

the bay and we took a tender boat into town. 

We booked a speedboat tour to Our Lady of 

the Rocks, a tiny church on an island in the 

bay, before returning to check out the town 

of Kotor. Sadly, there were four other ships 

in port that same day and the crowds completely 

overwhelmed the narrow streets of 

the small town. 

The following day, we arrived in Corfu, 

Greece, where we had scheduled a transfer 

to Pazuzu, one of the beach resorts on the 

other side of the island. It was the only 

port in which we just relaxed and enjoyed 

the views. We had beach loungers, 

>> 42 



Travel (cont.) 


Message from the President (cont.) 


umbrellas and drinks waiting for us when 

we arrived, and I can’t think of a better way 

to spend an afternoon in Corfu. 

After a day at sea, we arrived in Naples, 

where we had a full day of sightseeing. 

Our ten-hour tour included stops in Capri, 

Sorrento and Pompeii. The heat was overwhelming 

in Capri, and we luckily found a 

café with refreshing nonalcoholic slushies. 

I ordered a watermelon-lemon slushie, and 

my husband opted for the strawberry-lemon. 

He’s still talking about that delicious drink! 

A couple hours in Sorrento was not nearly 

enough, and we’d love to return for a long 

weekend. The 

weather cooled 

down for our 

walking tour of 

Pompeii, which 

was the highlight 

of the day. The 

ruins are very 

well preserved, 

and the history 

was fascinating. 

I would recommend 

booking 

a guide to get 

the most of your 

visit. 

in the same neighborhood. And of course, 

we ate gelato every day! 

Most of our tours and activities were 

booked through www.getyourguide.com 

and our hotel rooms through www.booking. 

com. I highly recommend utilizing Skip The 

Line tickets in both Venice and Rome, to 

avoid wasting hours waiting in line. I could 

go on for pages about how much we have 

enjoyed Celebrity Cruises. If you have any 

questions about the cruise line or our trip, 

you can contact me at communications@ 

awcthehague.org. This vacation was 

unforgettable, and our favorite cruise yet! 

She has created and implemented a solid 

social media plan: adding Instagram and 

overseeing the development of our external 

Facebook page for non-members. Her 

insights and input have changed the Club 

for the better. There will be a going-away 

party for her at a later date. I hope her replacement, 

one of our newer Members, 

Alex Moore, will be there. I am grateful 

that Alex has stepped up to take over 

Going Dutch as it’s a significant piece of 

our Club’s enduring legacy. 

Amber Gatewood has a new adventure 

awaiting her in Singapore. Amber oversees 

Club and Community, the philanthropic 

arm of the Club, and she’s also the 

Editor for our weekly eNews. Amber is a 

regular at many Club activities and events 

and is often the first to sign up. I sit on 

the FAWCO PR and Media Team and one 

of the team’s members has just moved to 

Singapore. I connected her with Amber and 

they’ve already made plans to meet when 

Amber visits her new city this month to 

find an apartment. This is our sisterhood at 

its finest. 

There was a recent going-away party for 

Amber, and she shared the luncheon with 

Holly Savoie, one of the kindest and bighearted 

women I know. Holly is repatriating 

soon and leaves behind her legacy of 

overseeing several philanthropic activities, 

including our TLC Dinner each February. 

In her invitation to guests for the 2019 TLC 

Dinner, she included this quote which perfectly 

sums up our AWC sisterhood: You 

can always tell who the strong women 

are. They are the ones you see building 

each other up. ~ Anonymous. 

Tot ziens, 

Suzanne 

Our final port was Rome, which quickly 

became our favorite stop. We spent two additional 

days in the city, visiting the Vatican 

Museum and touring the Colosseum and 

Roman Forum. The heat was unbearable, 

which hindered the amount of activity we 

were able to do. We would have liked to 

spend more time exploring the city, but the 

sun was just a bit too much. During one of 

our evening ventures, we stumbled upon 

La Botticella Sports Bar, with hundreds of 

sports paraphernalia from American colleges. 

Our hotel, Relais Trevi 95, was in a 

perfect location just blocks from the Trevi 

Fountain. The best meal of our trip was at a 

small restaurant, Da Brunello a Rosa Rosae, 



Announcements 

Art Fair in The Hague 

Art The Hague is a quirky contemporary 

art fair which displays The Hague’s international 

character. It is the fair’s ambition 

to be a platform for both up-and-coming 

and renowned art galleries in The Hague 

and the Netherlands with 45 galleries participating. 

Tickets can be purchased at the 

door. 

Wednesday, October 2 – 


Fokker Terminal 

Binkchorstlaan 249, Den Haag 

www.artthehague.nl 

Leiden Liberation Celebration 

This annual Leiden event commemorates 

the Spanish siege and subsequent relief of 

the city in 1574. It is the biggest celebration 

of town identity in the Netherlands. 


The party starts on Wednesday, October 2 

at 1 p.m. with a huge fun fair and market 

that covers a large part of the city center. 

On Thursday, October 3, the official day of 

liberation, Breestraat is turned into a lively 

street theater boulevard with a giant parade 

featuring floats, bands, and dancers starting 

at 1 p.m. This year is the 132nd anniversary 

of the parade. There is also a carnival 

and market with fireworks at 11:30 p.m. 

www.3october.nl 

Seafood Festival 

VISSCH is an annual culinary seafood festival 

at Scheveningen Harbor inviting you 

to try special sea dishes such as lobster 

burgers and exotic fishy delicacies as well 

as the infamous Dutch herring. Learn how 

to fillet fish during workshops and demonstrations 

and be entertained by local pop 

bands and DJs. Entrance is free. 

www.vissch.nl 

Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6 

Visafslagweg 1, Den Haag 

Open Ateliers The Hague 

Sixty-five artists in the center of The 

Hague will open their studios to visitors on 

Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 

6 from noon to 6 p.m. Within the informal 

atmosphere of these studios, visitors can 

view and buy artwork as well as see artists 

working in different disciplines. 

www.openateliersdenhaag.nl 

www.expatfairamsterdam.nl 


10 a.m. − 5 p.m 

Beurs van Berlage 

Damrak 243, Amsterdam 

The Arts Society Lecture 

The Rockefellers 

Fueled by oil, this famous yet private family 

amassed one of the greatest art collections 

in the world during the 20th century. They 

founded the Museum of Modern Art in New 

York’s Central Park and managed to create 

the Rockefeller Center in Manhattan during 

the Great Depression. Lecturer Andrew 

Hopkins is an architectural historian. The 

Arts Society The Hague aims to bring people 

together through a shared curiosity for all 

types of art. Nonmember fee is € 13. www. 

theartssocietythehague.org 


Doors open at 7:15 p.m. 

Lecture begins at 8 p.m. 

Cultural Centrum Warenar 

Kerkstraat 75, Wassenaar 

Japanese Garden Open 

The Japanese Garden in Clingendael Park, 

home to rare trees and plants, is so fragile 

that it is only open eight weeks per year, 

six in the spring and two in the fall. Don’t 

miss the chance to see this special garden 

in magnificent fall colors. 

Free entrance. 

Saturday, October 12 – 


10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Clingendael Park, Den Haag 

Canal Race in Amsterdam 

On Saturday, October 12, the canals of 

Amsterdam will come alive with 140 

rowing teams participating in the 33rd 

edition of the Grachtenrace Amsterdam, 

a 15-mile (24-kilometer) race in the city 

center. In addition to staying out of each 

other’s way, the boats must contend with 

many narrow bridges and tourist boats. 

www.grachtenrace.com 

Community Fair for 

International Children’s Art 

Internationals 

Festival 

From October 18 to 26, children between 

Experience the 17th annual “I am Not a 

the ages of 2 and 12 years old will be 

Tourist” Expat Fair, a community fair for 

treated to 550 enchanting performances 

internationals living in the Netherlands, 

of both Dutch and international origin and 

hosted by Expatica in Amsterdam. 

workshops at 55 different locations around 

Whether you’ve lived in the Netherlands 

The Hague as part of De Betovering (The 

for five months or five years, you will no 

Enchantment). Performances, a number of 

doubt find a workshop or entertainment 

which are suitable for a non-Dutch speaking 

audience (highlighted in the program 

session of interest to you. One hundred and 

twenty-five exhibitors will be available 

as NDR), include puppet shows as well as 

to offer advice on topics as diverse as 

dance, music and film. To see the program, 

employment, housing, relocation, taxes 

go to: www.debetovering.nl 

and banking. Free tickets are offered online: >> 46 


Announcements (cont.) 


LEGO World 

LEGO World is the largest LEGO event in 

the Netherlands for kids of all ages. Your 

kids can play and build with millions of 

LEGO bricks, giving them the possibility to 

build anything they can imagine. Your little 

ones can play with DUPLO in a separate 

area. Discounted tickets are available online: 

www.legoworld.nl 

Thursday, October 17 – 


10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Jaarbeurs Utrecht 

Jaarbeursplein, Utrecht 

Dutch Design Week 

During Dutch Design Week (DDW) in 

Eindhoven from Saturday, October 19 – 


Sunday, October 27, you can see with your 

own eyes how tomorrow’s world is taking 

shape with smart solutions and inventive 

designs by 2,600 national and international 

designers offering new perspectives. This 

year’s theme is If Not Now, Then When? is 

literally a call to action: don’t postpone your 

plans and ideas for the future any longer, 

do it now! DDW offers 400 events at 120 

venues throughout Eindhoven, including 

exhibitions, experiments, lectures and workshops. 

www.ddw.nl 

International Jazz Festival 

On Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 

26, Jazz International Rotterdam will display 

the versatility that characterizes jazz music of 

today, but also the adventurous spontaneity 

that makes jazz so distinctive. This year’s 

festival focuses on the Rotterdam scene and 

sound. www. jazzinternationalrotterdam.nl 

Crossing Border Festival 

Ever since the first edition in 1993, Crossing 

Border has examined the frontiers of music 

and language in the city center of The Hague. 

It has expanded to become one of the most 

progressive international music and literature 

festivals in Europe featuring more than 

100 artists ranging from renowned names to 

promising upcoming talent. 

Tuesday, October 29 – 


Various venues in Den Haag Centrum 

www.crossingborder.nl 

Wildlife Film Festival 

This multi-day film festival, organized 

by a non-profit foundation, focuses on the 

screening of 40 wildlife films and documentaries. 

The main program consists of a juried 

competition that is open to professional and 

non-professional nature filmmakers from 

the Netherlands and abroad. 

Wednesday, October 30 – 


Cinerama Filmtheater 

Westblaak 18, Rotterdam 

www.wffr.nl 

Affordable Art Fair 

Amsterdam is also hosting an art fair this 

month. This four-day event presents a wide 

array of contemporary art from a variety of 

galleries. You can find thousands of original 

paintings, prints, sculptures and photography 

all under one roof, and all under €3,000. 

The work of young, emerging artists hangs 

alongside some of the biggest household 

names. 

Thursday, October 31 – 


De Kromhouthal 

Gedempt Hamerkanaal 231, Amsterdam 

www.affordableartfair.com 

I’m Your Mirror 

Through November 19, the Kunsthal in 

Rotterdam is featuring a large number of 

sculptures and installations of the famous 

Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos. With 

a profound respect for her Portuguese culture 

and traditions, she gives reality her 

own feminist twist. She is known for her 

masterly use of color and unusual choice of 

materials, such as rotary telephones, cooking 

pots, steam irons and plastic cutlery. 

Free admission with Museumkaart. www. 

kunsthal.nl 

Naturalis has Reopened 

After two years of construction, Naturalis, 

the National Research Institute for 

Biodiversity, has opened their stellar 

expanded facility in Leiden, accommodating 

the entire national collection of 42 million 

objects. Appreciate the richness of nature 

in the impressive new museum halls with 

plenty to interest all ages. See the new 

permanent home to Trix, Europe’s only 

T-Rex who moved from Montana to the 

Netherlands in 2016, and some of her 

contemporaries. Free admission with 

Museumkaart. www.naturalis.nl 


Classifieds 

Index of Advertisers 

Private Pilates Lessons in 

Your Own Home 

I am a Certified Pilates 

instructor offering mat 

Pilates—tailored to your 

body’s specific needs. 

Monday to Friday, office 

hours. Women only. Private 

one-on-one or small groups 

of up to three possible. 

Lessons in English. 

The Hague, Wassenaar area 

only. 

Please email christina@gikas. 

nl for more info. 

Members: eNews Distribution 

A weekly electronic newsletter 

is sent to all AWC Members. 

If you have not been receiving your eNews, please 

contact Mary Ellen at 

membership@awcthehague.org. 

ACCESS 

page 28 

American Travel 

Center 

page 37 

Aveda Lifestyle 

Salon 

Inside Cover 

FRITSTAXI 

Airport Service 

Inside Back Cover 

Happy Critters 

page 17 

Marcel 

Vermeulen 

Jewelry 

page 9 

Petros Eyewear 

Sligro 

page 9 

page 19 

VERHEY VAN 

WIJK brilmode 

page 15 

Wassalon 

Weissenbruch 

page 13 

Your Cleaning 

Service 

page 28 

Support Fellow AWC 

Members 

Find links to a large 

variety of businesses 

owned by AWC Members 

at www.awcthehague. 

org/site/newcomers/ 

business-links 

Event information, suggestions or comments 

for eNews? 

Please send all eNews information to 

enews@awcthehague.org 

no later than end of day each Friday for the 

following week’s eNews. 

AWC is a Pet-Free Zone 

As much as many of our Members love 

their pets, please do leave them at home as 

the AWC has a long-standing policy of no 

pets in the Clubhouse. Thank you for your 

understanding! 

Going Dutch is Available Online 

The AWC is not responsible for accidents 

or injuries occurring at Club activities or 

on Club property. Sports and exercise 

instructors must carry their own liability 

insurance. 

Go to www.awcthehague.org to share the current month’s issue with friends and family. You will 

also find links to our annual advertisers, whose support makes this magazine possible. If you 

visit or contact one of our advertisers, let them know Going Dutch sent you! 

Member Privacy 

Please be reminded that the AWC Membership List is for AWC Member reference only and 

use of this information in any communication other than AWC official business is strictly 

prohibited. Members may not share the list with anyone other than another AWC Member 

in good standing and never to any third party. 

The AWC takes care to protect Member information and adherence to this policy is critical to 

maintain Member privacy. Members are asked to report suspected misuse of the list to any 

AWC Board Member. 


Rates 

Classified Mini-Ads: 

Deadline: In general, the 1st of the month prior to the 

month in which your ad will appear, although subject to 

change due to holiday schedule. 

AWC Member Rates: 

For 45 Words 

Non-Member Rates: 

For 45 Words 

For 25 Additional Words 

Per Issue € 15 € 8 

Eight Issues € 110 € 55 

For 25 Additional Words 

Per Issue € 10 € 5 

Eight Issues € 70 € 30 

How to Submit Your Ad: 

Email your ad to: goingdutchads@awcthehague.org 

Payment Information: 

Please indicate the name of your ad on your payment so that 

we are able to match up your payment with your ad. 

By Bank Transfer: 

ABN-AMRO 43.14.21.757 

IBAN: NL42ABNA0431421757 

Display Ads: 

For full, half, third or quarter page commercial display ads, 

email our magazine staff at 

goingdutchads@awcthehague.org 


Restaurant Recommendations 

by Audrey Goodman 

Please send your recommendations to goingdutchmag@awcthehague.org. 

Palmette 

A favorite for brunch, the Palmette Breakfast 

Platter (2-person minimum) is absolutely 

delicious and will keep you full until dinner. 

Plaats 27, 2513 AD, Den Haag 

070 412 7512 

palmette.nl 

International, European, French 

€€ 

Sunday – Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. – Midnight 

Thursday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 1 a.m. 

Hotel Restaurant ‘T Goude Hooft 

Situated in The Hague’s oldest inn, the restaurant 

offers both inside seating and a terrace. 

It’s a great spot for breakfast, lunch, 

dinner, high tea or drinks. 

Dagelijkse Groenmarkt 13, 2513 AL, 

Den Haag 

070 774 8830 

tgoudehooft.nl 

Bar, European, Central European 

€€ – €€€ 

Sunday – Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – Midnight 

Tasca 

Authentic, southern European dishes made 

with fresh ingredients. The service is great, 

and the atmosphere is wonderful. 

Ankerstraat 2, 2586 RK, Den Haag 

070 220 7161 

restauranttasca.nl 

International, European, Vegetarianfriendly 

€€ – €€€ 

Wednesday – Sunday, 6 p.m. – 1 a.m.

AWC Going Dutch October 2019

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