Police are investigating threats to a teacher from Emmaus College in Rotterdam. The threats are concerning a cartoon that hung in the teacher’s classroom, which was posted on Instagram and taken out of context.
The Instagram post is said to be regarding the 2015 attack Charlie Hebdo. It features a cartoon of Dutch political illustrator Joep Bertrams, reports Rijnmond. The post has gone viral, and police say it is not known how many threats have been made.
Police action
Law enforcement is currently investigating who is behind the threats. “The police and the Public Prosecution Service take the threats very seriously,” Rotterdam Police said on Twitter.
They also said that officers are providing extra supervision on campus. “We are taking visible and invisible measures to stop these threats.”
Er zijn online bedreigingen geuit naar een docent van het #Emmauscollege in #Rotterdam#Oosterflank nav een spotprent. De politie en het @OM nemen de bedreigingen uiterst serieus. Er wordt momenteel uitgezocht wie er achter de bedreigingen zit. 1/2
The Emmaus College made an announcement over the intercom on Monday to express sympathy for Samuel Paty, the French teacher who was beheaded by an Islamic extremist.
The rector said that the school should be a place where people can work in freedom and safety, “so that our students can develop into independent citizens who can live together in a country that is characterized by freedom, equality and solidarity. Values that fit seamlessly with our vision.”
The school’s response
In a letter to parents and students, the school management writes, “In the photo, the context in which the cartoon hangs has completely disappeared. The result is that threats have been made to colleagues. We find these threats unacceptable.”
The school management says they are shocked by the commotion. “We make every effort to ensure that our school remains a safe place for everyone so that the pupils can go to school in peace and quiet tomorrow.”
Following the release of suspected measures yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister for Health Hugo De Jonge have gathered the press once again.
Unlike last week’s press conference, which saw no new coronavirus measures, this week’s conference has brought with it some additional restrictions. The restrictions are set to begin tomorrow night at 10 PM and will be nationwide.
Prime Minister Rutte has said that while the coronavirus numbers are going down, they need to be decreasing at a faster rate. For this reason, the cabinet will be introducing stricter measures.
“We need to stand by the people who work in the hospitals and make sure people on waiting lists for other problems can get treatment. We need to bring down movement, have less contact, and fewer people together.” Rutte says that only once the Netherlands has accomplished this, can the country move on to the next phase.
The new measures will last for two weeks and once they are complete we will revert back to the current measures. Below, you can find a list of the new and current measures.
New measures
The number of people allowed to meet up outside has been reduced from four people to two. Children and people from the same household are exempted from this.
The maximum amount of visitors per day in a household has been reduced to two. Children up to the age of 12 are exempt from this number.
Everyone must stay at home as much as possible. Rutte asks that you ask yourself whether a trip to the shops is really necessary. Don’t go shopping just for fun.
Theatres, cinemas, sports clubs, museums, amusement parks, zoos, casinos, amusement parks, pools, saunas will be closed to the public.
Mouth masks will be made obligatory by December 1 (potentially earlier.)
Cabinet urges people not to travel, either domestically or abroad. The cabinet recommends no travel abroad until at least mid-January.
In addition to this, regions may implement additional measures. This may include, for example, a curfew or the closure of high schools.
The decision to impose these new measures has been highly debated. While Prime Minister Rutte, Health Minister De Jonge, and Public Health Minster Van Arkel proposed a two-week closure of the country, other officials were in opposition.
Minsters Hoekstra, Grapperhaus and Ollongren say the measures are going too far. These new measures are in addition to current measures, which are expected to last through December.
However, Rutte has said the Netherlands needs these new measures, and it needs them sooner rather than later. “There’s no other option. We have to do something about this second wave. The faster we go, the better it will be.”
Other measures currently in effect (lasting through December)
All bars, restaurants and coffee shops will now be closed. Take-away is still allowed and this extends to coffee shops as well. After 8 PM, alcohol and weed will be banned from consumption in public spaces. Hotels can remain open and serve their guests.
The maximum amount of people that are allowed to gather in public spaces remains at 30. Churches and parliaments remain exceptions to this for the moment but Rutte has appealed to these institutions.
Amateur contact sports are not allowed. This applies for those above the age of 18. However, professional sports are still allowed so long as there is no audience.
Most events are banned, from festivals to neighbourhood barbeques.
All shops will be closed after 8 PM. There will be special hours for vulnerable people and the government will engage with the retail sector to try and arrange for safe shopping. Where 1.5 meters is not possible and corona measures aren’t followed, shops can be closed.
Working from home is strongly advised.
It is strongly encouraged that people do not travel abroad. If you do choose to travel within the Netherlands you can only travel with a maximum of four people from different households.
Mouth masks are to be worn by everyone above the age of 13 in public sectors, this includes in schools, MBO’s and University. This will be legally enforced as soon as possible (which can be days, in theory, months in practice).
Retailers must limit the number of shoppers to ensure 1.5-metre distance. Individual venues will be consulted to determine the maximum number of visitors allowed inside at one time.
Contact-based industries (such as hairdressers and dentists) must ask customers to provide their name and contact details.
“Don’t be surprised if we are strict.”
Rutte has warned that those who break the restrictions will be disciplined. Fines will be handed out more often.
“In the end, most of the people are following the rules — so a small group of people cannot spoil it for everyone else,” says Rutte.
Healthcare under pressure
Health Minister Hugo De Jonge has said that while coronavirus numbers are beginning to slow down and decrease, they are not doing so fast enough for the healthcare system. This is why he is also in favour of the new two-week restrictions.
“The amount of infections is lowering but we still have to take extra measures for the next two weeks on top of the intelligent lockdown that we already have. People ask why — if you look at the numbers we have, it’s not as low as it seems.”
Hospitals continue to struggle and De Jonge describes today’s weekly figures as “way too many.”
Second wave worse for hospitals
During the first wave, patients were entering and leaving the hospital at a fast rate. In the second wave of coronavirus, people are staying in the hospital for longer, De Jonge says. This has led to even more pressure this time round on healthcare staff.
“That means in the end that more people are in the hospital in the second wave than the first wave.”
De Jonge took a moment to highlight the continuing worry for nursing homes as well. He says that one in four nursing homes have now been hit hard by coronavirus. This further increases pressure on healthcare workers as more workers must take time off if they catch the virus.
He also thanked healthcare workers for their hard work in a trying year “We are so thankful to all the people in healthcare that we can count on them again.”
Will there be a Christmas?
De Jonge has said “Christmas will be different this year for sure.” However, with the strict implementation of these new measures for two weeks, the hope is that people will be able to celebrate Christmas with some of their family.
“Everyone wants a life with as few restrictions as possible, but that’s only possible if we get infections down. Therefore, we take these stronger measures and we have to do them for the next two weeks.”
Ultimately however, it is not known for certain whether or not Christmas will be a success this year, only time will tell.
Numbers begin to decrease
While some ministers may see these new restrictions as going too far, there is no denying their positive impact. The current restrictions have led to some hope for the Netherlands as the number of daily infections is slowly beginning to drop.
For example, this week saw 64,087 new coronavirus cases. This is an undeniably high number but nonetheless it is lower than last weeks figure of 67,542. The number of patients in the hospitals however, continues to climb.
The Netherlands still has a long way to go in its fight against coronavirus, but these figures indicate that the current restrictions are taking effect. With the continued imposition of coronavirus measures, this may be the beginning of the end of the second wave.
Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest coronavirus news and updates.
Coronavirus infections continue to spread in the Netherlands, though at a slightly slower rate. While the total weekly number of infections is beginning to curb, hospitalisations are still on the rise.
In the past week, the Netherlands has had 64,087 new infections, according to new figures from RIVM. This is 3,455 fewer than last week’s 67,542 new infections.
But while new infections are levelling off, hospitals are still under immense pressure. The number of nursing ward hospitalisations has increased to 1966 from the previous week’s 1739.
The number of ICU patients has decreased very slightly. While the previous week had 333 ICU patients, this week there were 321.
In the past week, there have been 435 deaths related to coronavirus, up significantly from last week’s 329.
While the rate of infection is beginning to slow, it’s clear that new measures are necessary to gain control over the virus’s rapid spread.
Stricter measures
Yesterday, word got out that tonight’s press conference will likely announce new coronavirus measures. The cabinet and experts have been meeting to discuss the best course of action to reduce the R factor in the Netherlands. Sources have indicated new measures will include limiting the group size from four to two people in public and essentially shutting down the public entertainment industry. It’s likely that museums, theatres, cinemas, music venues, concert halls, zoos, and theme parks will have to close.
Even stricter regional measures are also being discussed. These could include curfews and full lockdown restrictions in certain high-risk zones.
The new measures are expected to go into effect from Thursday and last for two weeks.
Schools, gyms, and contact professions like hairdressers and non-emergency medical services will not be affected by the new regulations.
The full package of measures will be announced at tonight’s press conference.
Plea for former healthcare workers to come out of retirement
With the increased pressure on hospitals, healthcare organisations are urging no longer active healthcare workers to come out of retirement. “The situation is not tenable for much longer,” a spokesperson tells AD.
The website extrahandenvoordezorg.nl was set up for potential healthcare workers to register. A crash-course is has been designed to teach essential industry skills to people both with and without prior healthcare experience.
CoronaMelder app
The CoronaMelder app has been downloaded by nearly 4 million people in the Netherlands. It sends out notifications to around 10,000 people per day that they have come within close range of someone infected with the virus. However, it’s been found that a small percentage of this number who have not actually been within 1.5 metres of an infected person also received the notification.
It’s estimated that about 70% of people receive an accurate notification, meaning they were within 1.5 metres of an infected person for more than 15 minutes.
However, in a small number of cases, the person is further away. The app works via Bluetooth, so this is not to say the incorrectly notified person hasn’t been exposed, only that the distance may have been further or the amount of time shorter.
Ron Roozendaal, Chief Information Officer at the Ministry of Health emphasises that “In the majority of cases, the app recognises the distance correctly.”
Be sure to check back in with us tonight at 7 PM for our Live Blog coverage of the press conference, and follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with coronavirus in the Netherlands.
We may only be three days into the month, but meteorologists have already determined that the record for the hottest November day in the Netherlands has been broken.
Yesterday saw temperatures reach as high as 20.4 degrees in the south of the country. Specifically in the regions of Limburg and Brabandt. De Bilt reached a record-breaking 19.3 degrees.
According to Meteorologist Maurice Middendorp of Buienradar, this is due to strong southerly winds which push warm air up from Spain. “With that, warm air was brought all the way from Spain. We were completely in warm Spanish air.”
Sunshine to remain, but not the heat
Meteorologists predict that this unusually warm weather will not remain. However, the sun will stick around to provide the illusion of heat for those of us who need it (but honestly, 20 degrees in November is only confusing for many of us).
This morning may have welcomed us with sunshine but if you felt like a fool for wearing your winter coat yesterday, you may be fooled again today — this time, you need it.
Temperatures will reach a maximum of 12 degrees, winds will pick up from moderate to strong along the coast and IJsselmeer, and scattered showers will wash in by the evening.
There may even be some stormy weather along northwestern coasts with winds reaching between 75 to 90 km/hr. Thunder, lightning and even hail showers may keep some of us up tonight, as stormy weather is expected to batter the north.
The autumn we expected
Tomorrow will begin with some more sunshine, but the autumn weather we all expected will return. Temperatures will remain at a maximum of around 12 degrees, with some clouds and sunshine.
Winds will remain moderate, offering us a solid, mediocre autumn day. This weather is expected to continue throughout the week with a slight lift in temperatures expected during the weekend — but nothing worth ditching the winter coat for, thankfully.
Moral of the story: stay strong and resolute. The weather may wish to trick you into thinking a lighter layer will suffice — especially after yesterday’s stunt — but that’s just what it wants you to think. Wear the jacket, bring the hat.
The new coronavirus measures, anticipated to be delivered at tonight’s press conference, are now also expected to include the closure of theme parks, music venues, and zoos. Gyms, schools, and contact professions will remain open.
The cabinet has been considering a package of new measures to combat the rapid spread of coronavirus in the Netherlands. In addition to closing museums, theatres, cinemas, and libraries, the cabinet is now considering further closures in the entertainment sector. Amusement parks, zoos, music venues, and concert halls are all on the table. This is according to insider sources from RTL Nieuws.
The new measures are expected to be enforced for two weeks, starting from Thursday. The cabinet is also planning to reduce the public group size from four to two people.
Schools, gyms, and contact professions such as hairdressers are allowed to remain open under these measures.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge will formally announce the new measures at tonight’s 7 PM press conference.
You can follow the press conference in real-time on our Live Blog tonight. And to stay up-to-date with coronavirus in the Netherlands, follow us on Facebook.
We got bored at our DutchReview office and thought, what could we do to make the day more entertaining? So we conjured up a plan. Why don’t we smush together all the delectable Dutch delicacies we can think of, layer after layer, between perfect white bread and eat it?
Afterwards, we can get other nationalities to test out our marvellous creation and see how it compares with their nation’s food. This is how the Ultimate Dutch Sandwich idea was born.
Note: This was obviously a pre-coronavirus experiment because we are very responsible and have been working from home for the past…how many months??
Cheese (duh), Pindakaas (peanut butter), Leverworst (liver sausage), Filet American (who knows what’s in that?), Hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles), and Kip Joppie (chicken mayo spread with a twist).
Did we like it? Do we regret it? Find out and see how we would do (almost) anything to entertain our loyal DutchReview readers. Sit back, grab a drink and snack (preferably a tastier one than this sandwich) and enjoy!
Perhaps you have another idea our office could put to the test? Let us know in the comments!
Feature Image: DutchReview/Supplied
Editor’s Note: This article was originally posted in November 2019 and was fully updated in November 2020 for your reading pleasure.
Zwarte Piet has been causing controversy for years in the Netherlands, dividing the nation over whether the tradition should be continued or not. Yet, despite the public outcry, the practice continues.
Zwarte Piet is by far the most horrifying thing I have encountered in the Netherlands, probably because I wasn’t expecting it at all. Growing up on the other side of the world, I had never heard of this tradition and when I arrived, no one warned me about it.
Of course, let me first say that I do not presume to represent the opinions of all white South Africans. But I think many South Africans, whatever hue of the rainbow they may be, will agree with some of the things I’m about to talk about.
You can imagine the shock I got when one crisp November (2017) morning, I encountered a brown-faced doll hanging from a lamppost in my street in Maastricht. The doll had black curly hair, big red lips, and a servant’s outfit. The sight disturbed me, but I was late for a lecture so I kept cycling. Then I saw another lamppost and another, and I realised the entire street was lined with what looked like lynched black dolls. Something heavy twisted in my stomach.
As I made my way further into the centre of the city, it only got worse. Shops were decorated with the same brown dolls, ribbons and banners. Strange jolly Dutch music echoed through the streets.
And then I saw them — the Zwarte Pieten.
Dutch men and women, mostly caucasian, with brown and black paint covering their faces. Exaggerated red lips. Curly black wigs. They were running about laughing and joking, putting on weird accents and acting like complete idiots. My first thought was, “What the f***?”
Zwarte Piet dolls in a grocery store. Image: MysteriousVP/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Later that day, some Dutch friends of mine explained that the Zwarte Pieten were the helpers of some old white guy called Sinterklaas. They weren’t ethnically black, my friends assured me, just covered in soot from climbing the chimneys. “Oh, of course, that explains the oversized red lips!” I retorted, feeling the most acute anger sizzling through my veins. The more they tried to defend the character, the angrier I got.
“It’s just a harmless tradition.”
“Zwarte Pieten come from Spain, not Africa.”
“They’re nice! They hand out free candy!”
I learned that Sinterklaas arrives on a boat every year, surrounded by the black servants he supposedly brought with him from Spain. I was, and still am, mortified. I thought the Netherlands was a liberal, forward thinking country? I thought we were in the 21st Century? I can’t even imagine the outrage if this were to happen in South Africa.
Coming from South Africa
It’s often outsiders that challenge this Dutch tradition, and locals tend to get extremely defensive when you question it. Sure, we all come from different countries, and we don’t really have the right to judge other cultures — this is true, to an extent.
But I think I’m in a unique position here. No, my passport is not Dutch, but my blood is. I — a white-skinned person born and raised in Africa — exist because the Dutch colonised the tip of Africa 200 years ago.
From a young age in South Africa, we learn about these (and other) colonizers that spilt blood over the possession of our lands, enslaving and exploiting many Africans and Asians in the process. A few generations later, descendants of the Dutch developed a regime that systematically oppressed and persecuted black people in our country — Apartheid.
The repercussions of such a traumatic history are too vast for me to cover. But, being born just three years after the end of Apartheid, I have personally witnessed the pain and chaos of a nation trying to heal itself from centuries of racial violence.
South Africa likes to advertise itself as the Rainbow Nation, where different colours now live in harmony. There has been progress in my lifetime, but don’t be fooled, our nation sometimes feels on the verge of civil war. Racial division, to this day, is tearing our beautiful country apart.
So, when I look into the face of Zwarte Piet, I see the pain of my country, the crimes of Dutch colonisers, and the ignorance of privileged Europeans.
I suspect that Zwarte Piet has not been banned yet because many Dutch people are somewhat unaware of their own history. During my first year in the Netherlands, I took a pre-academic training programme to help integrate myself into Dutch society. Among other things, we were given the Dutch canon of history to study, which the Dutch, apparently, learn in school.
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was something I was already familiar with, but the history I was presented with here was vastly different from the content I had learned in South Africa. The company employees were worshipped as Dutch heroes, sailing across the treacherous seas to discover new lands and establish new trade routes. They were held up as pioneers.
Where was the slavery? The mass exploitation? The word “rape” didn’t even feature.
Now, the Dutch history cannon by no means denied that these events happened. But what shocked me was the narrative I was presented with. A narrative which treated the “dark side” of the VOC as a side note. The slavery, exploitation and forced migration of Africans and Asians were briefly mentioned and then brushed aside.
I recognise that the world is not as simple as “good” versus “evil”, in that the VOC was both a pioneering force of new trade routes and the hand of oppression. But to belittle the very real damage that the Dutch inflicted upon the people groups that they ruled is in my view, appalling.
The canon was recently updated to include more information on the Dutch Transatlantic Slave Trade, which is great — but doesn’t correct decades of white-washed history teachings.
I think Russel Brand put it perfectly when he called this Dutch tradition a “colonial hangover.” Zwarte Piet reduces people of colour to an object to laugh at, which is a slap in the face for all the people that the Dutch oppressed. It laughs at their pain, at the exploitation that established the Netherlands as one of the most powerful countries in the world.
I struggled for years with guilt and shame over my skin colour, because it represented the oppression of the people around me. I have since learned that I don’t have to live in shame, because I am my own individual. I did not personally enslave black South Africans, or enforce the legal segregation of races in my country. But it is my responsibility to acknowledge what my ancestors did, how I benefited, and to treat people of colour with the respect and love that my ancestors denied them.
Likewise, I do not blame the Dutch people of today for the crimes of their forefathers. The streets you walk on, the public buildings you use, were indeed funded by your colonial history. For that, we cannot blame you.
What we can judge, however, is how you treat those that your predecessors enslaved. We can judge your lack of awareness, your offensive behaviour, and your precious traditions, because choosing to continue with those is on you.
What do you think of the Zwarte Piet tradition? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of DutchReview.
Life is full of transitions, and one of the trickiest is when you’re moving houses. A short-term home is sometimes necessary, and if you ever need one in Amsterdam, save yourself hours of Google searching, and head to ClinkNOORD Hostel.
If you’re moving house to or within Amsterdam, we feel you. House hunting in this city is brutal. Finding something that fits within your desired budget, neighbourhood, and style can be a serious feat, and when you do find something you like, it’s a mad dash to lock it down before someone else does. You certainly don’t want to enter into this dramatic competition from a place of desperation. So in the meantime, ClinkNOORD is a great place to stay; you can take your time and do it right.
ClinkNOORD Hostel’s long-stay options allow you to settle in for a month or more while you get your situation sorted. You’ll get the same great experience you would staying for a weekend, only with extra perks, discounts, and the comfort of calling it home.
A comfy private room to settle in. Image: ClinkNOORD/Supplied
We received a very warm welcome on our visit to ClinkNOORD and couldn’t have been more impressed with everything they offer their long-term guests. We partnered up with them to bring you this heartfelt recommendation, and to share with you the top five reasons we think it’s a great choice for a short or long stay in Amsterdam.
An ideal location in Amsterdam Noord
Amsterdam Noord has recently become one of the trendier neighbourhoods in the city, and many people don’t realize just how conveniently located it is. It’s essentially right in the centre, only across the water. So you get all the convenience and access to the city without the constant hustle and bustle.
The neighbourhood is home to the largest flea market in Europe, the A’dam Tower, THE BUTCHER Social Club, the Eye Filmmuseum, and the brand new NXT Museum. It’s quiet, but still vibrant, with plenty of nice places to eat and drink just steps away from the hostel.
To get to Amsterdam Noord from Central Station, you just hop on a ferry. And it cannot be emphasized enough how easy, quick, and free this ferry is. It takes less than five minutes to cross the water and departs from directly behind the station. You just walk or bike right on, and in no time you’re in Amsterdam Noord. Once docked, it’s just a few hundred metres to the hostel.
See the sunset from Amsterdam Noord. Image: ClinkNOORD/Supplied
Commitment to community
If you’re moving to Amsterdam for the first time, finding some kind of community is essential, and at ClinkNOORD you can easily meet other people new to the city. Sure, some other hostel guests may be just passing through for a quick stroopwafel, but others are in transitional situations just like you.
In regular times ClinkNOORD hosts a whole slew of events and activities for their guests, to help them meet and mingle. They’ve got everything from Bingo to yoga (of course, in corona times these are scaled way back). They also have a special Facebook group just for their long-term guests to help folks stay in touch, so you’ll be making friends in no time.
Incredible space and amenities
Games and entertainment
You’ll never be wanting for something to do in this spacious, kitted-out hostel. You can hit the pool table, play foosball, or wear out your wrist with free-to-play ping-pong. The vast range of games and shared space supports their intention of building community — it really couldn’t be easier to socialise and stay entertained.
For chiller vibes, relax with a book from their darling library, or focus in at one of the low-key working spaces.
The ambience
It doesn’t really matter what you do though, you can just enjoy being there. You’ll see interesting and varied artwork all over the walls from artists they’ve hosted from around the world. Their special blacklight room called “The Box” is a real showstopper. Pop by the bar on your way inand have them whip you up a special glow-in-the-dark beverage to enhance the otherworldly experience.
We give this room an especially glowing recommendation. Image: ClinkNOORD/Supplied
The awesome food
Then there’s the food, the delicious, impossibly convenient food. Breakfast is served every morning for a steal — just €3 for long-term guests. Their on-site cafe offers all the sustenance you need to make it through a day of working from home, so you can grab a sandwich and espresso and get cracking.
Into the evening, when you don’t feel like cooking but want a hot, cheap meal, you can opt for their “lazy dinner.” Every night, the kitchen offers its guests this five euro option — a fresh, hearty meal for next to nothing. Pair with a glass of wine, then roll yourself up to bed.
Why cook when you can have a €5 lazy dinner? Image: ClinkNOORD/Supplied
The rooms
The rooms themselves are fresh and clean, with all the basics. Let’s be real, they are pretty basic — it’s a hostel after all, not the Waldorf Astoria. But if you’re between houses, keeping it simple is the name of the game. Your room probably won’t be big enough to unpack your whole life and settle in for good, and that’s not really the point here. But you can get comfortably nested and maximise your space by utilising their handy luggage storage.
Students and professionals working from home will appreciate the “Ultimate Study Suites.” These rooms have more space, a double bed, en-suite, and a personal study area. Not to mention a stunning canal view for your daydreaming delight.
The kitchen
If you feel like cooking, it’s easy to whip up whatever you’re in the mood for in their fully equipped kitchen. Store your food in one of the large refrigerators, and you’ll be feeling right at home. And bonus: the Albert Heijn grocery store is right around the corner.
Jaw-dropping value
ClinkNOORD’s long-stay options start at €340 a month for four-person dorms, perfect for making those new friends we keep talking about. From as low as €750 per month you can have your own private room. Higher-end options can include a double bed, canal-view, and en-suite, and each offers truly great value.
Plus, you won’t be bothered by utility bills, contracts, or deposits. ClinkNOORD also provides free WiFi, bed linens, and even weekly cleaning. With the cost of living in Amsterdam at an all-time high, these savings are huge.
But the best part of all: the discounts. You don’t have to be Dutch to appreciate a good discount. The hostel offers 50% off all food to long-stay guests, and 15% off drinks. You can even gain popularity points with your family and friends when you hand them a 20% discount off their own stay when they come to visit.
ClinkNOORD has the details covered[td_smart_list_end]
These folks know what you need before you even realize you need it. Image: ClinkNOORD/Supplied
Looking out for your comfort
The hostel is determined to make your experience the best possible. If you’re staying in a dorm, ClinkNOORD will take care to pair you with someone compatible. Students with other students, professionals with other professionals, night owls with other night owls.
Making your life easier
For guests moving to the Netherlands from abroad, ClinkNOORD even offers to help you register in the Netherlands. This means, once you’ve stayed in the hostel for three months, you’re provided with a permanent home address to use when applying for your BSN number. So for all you international movers, there’s one huge burden already relieved.
The little things
To simplify your stay, ClinkNOORD has bikes available for hire, laundry on-site, 24/7 reception, a travel shop, and even small things like hair dryers.
The specifics
How ClinkNOORD is managing coronavirus
Finally, how they’re handling coronavirus. The building is incredibly open and airy as it is, and the hostel is operating at 50% occupancy. Everything is squeaky clean and sterile, with appropriate social distancing. They track visitors, provide hand sanitiser, and follow all of the other recommended guidelines.
So fresh and so clean. Image: ClinkNOORD/Supplied
Get in touch
Contact ClinkNOORD by email or phone, and check out their website. Keep in mind that because they’re operating at half-capacity, it’s wise to reach out sooner than later to secure your spot.
If you love the ClinkNOORD Hostel as much as we do, you may also want to check out their other smaller, eco-friendly, boutique locations in the city centre, Ecomama and Cocomama.
Would you have a long-term stay at ClinkNOORD? Let us know in the comments below!
In a whale of a tale, a Dutch metro driver has narrowly avoided catastrophe after the metro ran through a buffer stop at the end of the line.
The car of the metro was left dangling 10 metres off the ground. It’s currently balancing on a conveniently placed sculpture of a whale tail.
Emergency services turned out en masse for the incident, which happened around 12:30 AM at metro station De Akkers in Spijkenisse, south-west of Rotterdam.
Luckily, the train driver was able to extract himself from the vehicle. While he is reportedly not injured, he was taken to hospital as a precaution. As far as the driver knows, there were no passengers in the vehicle at the time.
Lucky catch
The incident could have been much worse, if not for the sculpture at the end of the track. In a stroke of luck, the artwork ‘Whale tails’ by architect and visual artist Maarten Struijs managed to catch the metro before it landed on the walking path below.
Hoe klein is de kans dat nou net deze van de 2 kunstwerken precies zo hoog is en op die afstand staat waardoor de metro perfect opgevangen kon worden en de conducteur niet naar de grond stortte?!?!?
It is currently unknown how the incident occurred. However, since the accident took place at the end of the metro line an RET spokesperson think the incident will not affect the timetable, reports Nu.nl.
However, salvaging the metro will take some time. “It is at a height of 10 meters at the end of the rail. It will be quite an exercise,” the spokesperson said.
