Tag Archives: Around the World

Around the World in 80 Days – Netherlands

NETHERLANDS

Western Europe
Capital: Amsterdam
Languages: Dutch, regional languages
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Dutch applicants are open and down to earth.
  • They are hard workers.
  • They are polite, friendly and social.

FUN FACTS:

  • The colors of the Dutch flag are red, white, and blue. Red stands for the people, white for  the church, and blue for nobility.
  • Dutch people are on average the tallest people in the world. (Women 5 ft 7 and men 6 ft).
  • The total length of all roads together in the Netherlands is 132,397 km. That’s about four times around the world!

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Hoe gaat het?
  • Fine, thanks.               Goed, dank je wel.
  • My name is…              Mijn naam is…
  • Nice to meet you.        Leuk je te ontmoeten.
  • Thank you.                  Dank je wel.

“It’s a life changing experience. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about everything I’ve learned, all the amazing times I spent with friends and family and all the people I met. Being an Au Pair in America is my story of success so far – more are to come!” – Jodie – au pair from the Netherlands

Photo by Crash71100 {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Polish Chrusciki

Polish Chruściki (Angel Wings) Recipe:  

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of flour 
  • 4 egg yolks 
  • Pinch of salt 
  • Small spoonful of vinegar 
  • 2 tablespoon of sour cream 
  • Oil for frying 

Instructions: 

  1. Mix flour, egg yolks, salt, vinegar and sour cream. 
  2. Beat the dough with a rolling pin once ingredients come together. 
  3. Roll the dough as thin as possible
  4. Fry pieces in deep oil.  

Photo by: Blazej Pieczynski {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Brazilian Lemonade

Let’s get cooled off with some Brazilian Lemonade!

Brazilian Lemonade Recipe

Ingredients: 

  • 4 juicy limes
  • 4 cups cold water 
  • 1 can sweet condensed milk 
  • Ice 

Instructions: 

  1. Wash your limes and peel two of them. Cut them into 8 wedges and remove the white pith.
  2. Combine the lime wedges and water in your blender and pulse for a few seconds (10  seconds maximum). 
  3. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the pulp to extract all the juice.
  4. Return the liquid to the blender and add the sweet condensed milk. Blend until creamy and frothy. 
  5. Serve immediately with ice!

And there you have it — Brazilian lemonade!

Around the World in 80 Days – Mexico

MEXICO 

North America
Capital: Mexico City
Languages: Spanish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity (Catholic)

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Mexican people describe themselves as hospitable, family oriented and warm.
  • Most Mexicans have very strong family ties.
  • Tradition, culture and Mexican food are very important for Mexicans.

FUN FACTS:

  • Mexico is the 14th largest country in the world!
  • The Aztecs used cacao seeds as a form of currency.
  • The world’s largest pyramid is in… Mexico!

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             ¿Cómo estás?
  • Fine, thanks.               Bien, gracias.
  • My name is…              Me llamo / Mi nombre es…
  • Nice to meet you!        ¡Qué gusto conocerte!
  • Thank you.                  Gracias.

 

Around the World in 80 Days – Chinese Children’s Books

Lon Po Po, by Ed Young, is the Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood.

The Seven Chinese Sisters, by Kathy Tucker, tells the story of six sisters with unique talents who must use them to save the seventh sister after she’s kidnapped by a dragon!

The Seven Chinese Brothers, by Margaret Mahy, is a retelling of the classic Chinese tale about a family of brothers who must work together to triumph over the corrupt emperor.

Dim Sum for Everyone!, by Grace Lin, is about a family with three daughters visiting a restaurant for a meal of dim sum. Childr learn about Chinese culture and traditions.

Around the World in 80 Days – Famous People From Germany

Johannes Gutenberg was born in Germany in 1400. His invention led to the first printing press.

Grimm’s Fairy tales, originally written in German, have been translated into 160 languages.

Amalie Emmy Noether, born in Bavaria, was a German mathematician best known for her contributions to algebra and theoretical physicals. Many people (including Albert Einstein) called her the most important woman in the history of mathematics.

Born in 1875 in Germany, Albert Schweitzer studied music, science and religion. He won the Nobel Peace Prize and is probably best remembered for bringing modern health care to Africa  in the early 1900s. He said something that you might want to think about: “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”

Albert Einstein, born in Germany in 1879, lived in Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the  Netherlands and Israel before becoming a US citizen. As a child he loved to build houses out of playing cards. He is best known for his scientific theories, but he also worked to support the United Nations, nuclear disarmament, and civil liberties.

Anne Frank, born in Frankfurt, Germany, was a Jewish Holocaust victim who kept a diary while in hiding in the Netherlands. Her diary become one of the most important books in history and has been translated into 60 languages. In 1999, Frank was labeled as one of “the most important people of the century” by TIME Magazine. Many organizations, foundations and memorials have been set up in her name.

Around the World in 80 Days – Canadian Cooking

For some amazing Canadian recipes, check out the Food Network.  Berry Bannock Bread  Pudding looks amazing!  How about trying Uncooked Danties?

Mix Together

  • 1/4 cup margarine
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm milk

Add

  • a few drops artificial vanilla
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 6 tbs cocoa
  • 1/2 – 1 cup raisins
  1. Mix well and form into balls on ungreased cookie sheet.
  2. Place in fridge till chilled.

Submitted by Melissa Cleasby from Canada, au pair in Massachusetts 2004

Photos by: Jen Arr {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Israel

ISRAEL

Western Asia/Middle East
Capital: Jerusalem
Languages: Hebrew, Arabic
Predominant Religion(s): Judaism

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Israeli applicants usually do to their au pair year after two years of military service or social service.
  • Israeli applicants are generally quite independent, responsible, and mature. They already have had many experiences in life and are capable of dealing with stressful conditions.
  • Israelis stand up for their rights but will also open up to those who value and respect them.

FUN FACTS:

  • Israeli people are said to be like the “sabres fruit” (“prickly pear,” a cactus that grows in Israel) – tough on the outside but very sweet on the inside.
  • Sometimes, Israeli names can sound strange and uncommon in English and applicants “adopt” new names in the USA. For example the common name “Hen” is another word for chicken in English.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Ma Shlomcha?
  • Fine, thanks.               Tov Toda.
  • My name is…             Hh Shem Sheli…
  • Nice to meet you.        Nechmad lifgosh otach.
  • Thank you.                  Toda.

Photo by: 16:9clue {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Argentine Milanesas or Schnitzels

Milanesas or Shnitzels

Ingredients

  • 6 veal rounds
  • 2 eggs, whipped
  • 1 cup of bread crumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Dip the milanesas (veal rounds) in the whipped eggs and in the bread crumbs with salt and pepper.
  2. Shake of the excess bread crumbs.
  3. Fry the milanesas until golden, or bake in the oven at 350°F (place the milanesas in a pan, cooked them for 10 minutes, then turn them over and baked them 10 more minutes). You can make them a la napolitana with tomato sauce and mozzarella on top.

You can served them with French fries, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad or rice.

Submitted by Betiana Turteltaub, au pair in Villanova, Pennsylvania, 2004-2005

Photo by: Matias Berhardt {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Ireland

IRELAND

Western Europe
Capital: Dublin
Languages: English, Irish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity (Roman Catholic, Anglican) – most other religions are represented

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Irish people are often said to have the “Gift of the Gab” (the talent of talking rings around most other people).
  • The Irish are very musical.
  • Irish people consider themselves passionate, funny and creative!

FUN FACTS:

  • The Irish flag has three vertical bands of green, white, and orange; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland, orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange), and white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange.
  • Ireland covers five-sixths of the island of the same name; the remaining one-sixth of the island is Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.
  • The world famous Guinness beer is from Ireland – it originated in the Dublin brewery of Arthur Guinness.

Photo by: Raul AB {flickr}