Did you all survive the big party last night??
How are you feeling the first day of the New Year??
Like me... pretty hang over??
Or as fit as a spring chicken??
Well, I like to tell you something about a tradition we Dutch people do on the first day of the New Year.
You know that in Holland it is cold now.... REALLY COLD!! (Not like here in South Africa, and I am glad I am not there now!)
So on New Year's Day some... a lot of crazy Dutch people like to dive into the freezing cold water of the North Sea in order to start the first day of the year 'refreshed'!!
This is known as the so called 'Nieuwjaarsduik'. And this tradition has been going on since 1965 were only 7 people started this swim, now more and more people are joining every year. Even from abroad people are coming over to make this cold dip.
UNOX, part of Unilever sponsors this event and gets loads of attention. Every year they try to find in between the huge crowds a pretty girl with some nice assets and they declare her the Unox Girl. Well, every young girl is trying to have her 15 minutes of fame, so they brave the cold and cold water to get the attention of the camera. In hopes to become the new Unox girl.
Here some examples of some Unox Girls and wannabees. This girl on the right was actually one of the Unox girls.
By the way, the temperatures of the water in the North Sea around this time of the year is 6 °C (43 °F) and the temperature of the air is around freezing. So pretty cold to run around in your bathing suit!! Just to get noticed....
Well, my day will be a nice and relaxing with some healthy brunch dishes, and maybe a dip in our pool which is at least 29 °C (85 °F).
What will you do on your first day of the New Year??
Share it with me.
Mireille xx
