Holland tour August 2007

FLASHBACK Dance tour HOLLAND - AUGUST 2007

Remembering the August 2007 dance tour in The Netherlands.

This heading reveals the story of the August tour in a nutshell.
Originally intended to be a dance tour combining a visit to The Netherlands (five days) and Armenia (seven days), the whole project took a somewhat unexpected turn.

About six weeks before the group of Taiwanese folk dancers were scheduled to leave for Europe, the Armenian government denied them visas to enter Armenia.
No earlier information indicated that this would happen, and the situation was, to say the least, very unpleasant.

A view of our appartments at Hotel Fredeshiem

After consulting the group, we decided to turn the trip into a tour of The Netherlands. Unfortunately, five people decided to cancel the tour and 15 ‘stayed on board’.

Looking back now, I must say that I was proud to be able to compile an interesting dance and cultural program in my own country on such a short notice.

The pictures will speak for themselves. The group took pleasure in all the activities offered and the atmosphere was relaxed and joyful.

It may sound like too much of a cliché, but quoting Shakespeare I can only say, “All’s well that ends well”.

Tineke teaching Armenian dances	Workshop of Dutch dances	Daniel teaching Rumanian dances

Annette taught Mexican dances

Feed-back of participants

Dear Tineke,

How are you? We've been back for a week. It's really hot and humid here which makes me think of the wonderful time in the Netherlands. I should've written you this earlier to thank you that you'd arranged such an interesting and colourful trip for us. We've visited many places that other tour groups won't have any chances to see and learned lots about the customs and folklore. I think we all had a good time despite the bad luck of Armenian Visa. Oh, I would also like to thank your husband Maurits who generously showed us your beautiful house and the studios of Het Internationaal Danstheater. It was a very nice experience to see their rehearsal and the Bollywood style dancing class.

Of course there are many other good experiences happened during our stay in the Netherlands. So again, thank you so much for your efforts letting us have such a good time. Hopefully, we'll keep in touch and maybe can meet again in Armenia or any place in the world.

Sincerely, Bessie

A non dancing activity

An impressive demonstration of the sheperd's dog managing the herd.

Thank You!! Tineke teacher. Hope one day can see you in Taiwan.

Dave & Rose

A special Lakenvelder (translation: sheet covered) cow.

Black smith demonstrates his skill at the open air museum of Orvelte

Dear Tineke:

I am Louis and arrived home in Taiwan. Thank you for everything in this wonderful tour.and I understand why my friend like Holland so much. Hope we can see you again maybe in Taiwan. Bye and thanks again.

A walk in the countryside of Drenthe

Heather in full bloom.
Heather in full bloom

Thank you so much for you both to take care of us ,we had a very good time in Holland. We got so many activities and we will never forget the time in Holland. You had arranged so special schedule and nice program for us .

Fang-Chich Chen

On tour in our horse cart

Group picture near a hunebed

Hello from our hooded horse cart

Traditional costume from Drenthe with golden head set

Thank for your help. Because of your guiding every detail was smoothly and comfortable. How nice and humour are you! I always miss your sweet voice and smile.

In my mind, it is not only a tour, but also a continuing education program. So I bought many DVDs and CDs as my homework to learn more and let my students enjoy learning something new.

Cecilia

Visit to the small museum in the traditional village of Staphorst