Sinterklaas

Sinterklaas arrived a couple weeks ago, using the time to prepare for the great filling of shoes on December 5, I presume. I’ve not had one Sinterklaas sighting, but his helpers, the Zwarte Pieten are everywhere. Yesterday, we saw they had commandeered a bus, and went about the town tooting its horn. Also yesterday, we saw three Zwarte Pieten in the airport in a trio. They were pretty good. Nothing like three Zwarte Pieten playing Christmas carols to welcome you back from your grandmother’s funeral! Of course, there are the window displays of Zwarte Pieten as well. Why are they always climbing ropes? Practicing to get to the rooftops on December 5? I thought Sinterklaas came in through the front door here in The Netherlands.