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OUR FIRST CARNAVAL IN THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 (americans in the netherlands)

buncharted

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In this episode, Michelle and Alex experience the Dutch tradition of Carnaval for the first time, starting in Kruikenstad (Tilburg) and wrapping up with a huge celebration in Oeteldonk (Den Bosch).

Episode 164 · Filmed on March 2 and 3, 2025 · Kruikenstad and Oeteldonk, The Netherlands

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0:00 Introduction
0:34 Alaaf from Kruikenstad :)
1:00 Trying our first Schrobbelèr
1:52 Our checklist for Kruikenstad
2:18 We got the scarves!
2:28 Why is Tilburg called Kruikenstad?
3:46 And why are you saying "alaaf"?
3:56 Trying a Kruikendel
4:50 and trying FEBO's grillburger sauce
5:22 D’n Opstoet (parade)
5:56 Our initial impressions of Carnaval
7:25 Good morning from Oeteldonk!
7:45 Getting a "hangover breakfast"
8:11 Michelle's first Flügel
8:41 and the rest of our "oetelontbijt"
9:15 Michelle is ready to party
9:52 They forgot our worstenbroodje!!!
10:24 Our checklist for Oeteldonk
11:08 What's up with Oeteldonk?
11:56 We can't find the Bossche bol shot
12:28 de Grote Optocht (parade)
13:29 Wow, it is crazy here!
14:02 We found the Bossche bol shot
14:34 How was our first Carnaval in the Netherlands?
15:10 Wrap up

#netherlands #expatlife #carnaval #dutchculture #cultureshock

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WHO IS BUNCHARTED?

We're Michelle and Alex, Americans living in the Netherlands. 🇳🇱

In 2020, we quit our jobs to travel the world, and... well, that didn't happen. So in 2022, we decided to make an even BIGGER change: to pack up our lives (and our cats 🐈) and move from Austin, Texas, in the United States, to the Netherlands. Subscribe for new videos like this every week!

20 Comments

@buddy1155 1 year ago

Make sure you visit SAIL Amsterdam 2025 (august), if you miss SAIL you have to wait 5 year.

@paulmertens5522 1 year ago

We love going to Maastricht. The parade is smaller but the locals put so much effort into their costumes it’s on another level.

@Anthoneycfs 1 year ago

A "traditional" way to drink the Flugel is to put the cap on your nose and drink the little bottle in one go 😀

@awkwardangie1873 1 year ago

I just moved from Florida to the Netherlands, particularly Herpen in North Brabant in October to be with my boyfriend (he's from here), and it was the best decision of my life! I absolutely love watching you guys. I can relate to so many of your videos and they help keep me grounded. I've been learning Dutch for almost two years now and I still struggle with grammar and pronunciation, but seeing your videos reminds me that there isn't any shame in being an American trying to get used to the culture. Anyway, so glad you both had a great time :)

@dgfiree 1 year ago

If you did go to Maastricht you will get even more Carnaval. Everyone has face paintings and self made hats. For next year!

@MrTwan1975 1 year ago

You might want to check out for the Tuesday of Vastelaovend (Carneval in Limburgs), the 'Boerebroelof' (boerenbruiloft) (FarmersWedding) in Venlo. That has been held for a little over a hundres years now, and was officially the first in the Netherlands to have this tradition. You can find many clips on Youtube about it, so you can get a feeling for it. Everybody is dressed as Chique Farmers for the couple to get Fake Wedded, which is a huge thing, with a parade that lasts easily an hour with horsedrawn carriages and everything.

@raimonddumoulin4170 1 year ago

next year go on Sunday to Maastricht, totally different carnaval !!!!

@IgorEngelen1974 1 year ago

really like the dyed hair. Looks good.

@joophansen7845 1 year ago

Limburg Carnaval is the best!!! Born and raised there, and still, at 73, celebrating with kids and grandchildren. Awesome!!!

@mhjmstultiens 1 year ago (edited)

Michelle going HARD on the booze. That Bossche Bol shot, WHOOO! ^^ Great vid as always, very brave of you haha. :)

@jolandafrijlink6103 1 year ago

Lived in Venlo for 20 years and they always told me they had the oldest carnaval organization Jocus.

@Sinnegeiets 1 year ago

Too bad I didn't see you guys in my beloved Den Bosch! If you are planning to come back feel free to join me on a boat trip surrounding the city 🌞

@BJD12thDoctor 1 year ago

Lampegat always has a really good parade. I can recommend this city, normally called Eindhoven. People dress up as all sorts and people hang out at Stratumseind in the bars and clubs. Years ago I watched the parade with my boyfriend and I was dressed up as Rurouni Kenshin (without sakabatou) and while I walked out of the station, I got recognised by a young girl yelling 'Kenshiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!!' My reply: "Oro?"

My bf and I are both cosplayers(I've also larped for a long time) and we always have something for such occasions. Years ago, one of his cousins became a prince and we attended the inauguration dressed as Prince Zuko and Avatar Korra. We love Avatar The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra and founded a cosplayers community on Facebook.

@backwoods1732 1 year ago

Even though I'm born and raised in Limburg, the carnaval in Cologne (on the Thursday before the weekend of carnaval) is always the highlight for me. Local carnaval is mostly nice because you get to meet a lof of familiar people, some of whom you may not/barely see throughout the year. Cologne has always felt more open to me, more of an international city vibe but in this case regarding carnaval.

@rulifaller8474 1 year ago

Next year go further south. Tilburg and Den Bosch are similar, carnaval in Limburg is very different. It is all outside and the way people dress is much more varied and extravagant. Music is also different but not sure if you are integrated enough yet musically to hear the difference😂. And they have zuurvlees😉. Maastricht is best but smaller towns are also nice.