Nijmegen Day 2

This is the art on our ship and a description of her name:

 

We had the option to bus to Arnhem today, but chose to stay here and roam around this town for the afternoon. Deb and I shopped; we have no idea what the Daves did (but they were sitting pretty much where we left them when we got back….). Here is one of the pretty shopping streets.

I attended the talk about The Netherlands this morning; here’s what I learned:

• This is a social society. Taxes are high (40-50%) but services are included such as healthcare, public education through University, retirement, 3 months paid maternity leave, etc. Still, there are additional taxes for roads, property, etc, and pets!
• As with social societies, you have healthcare but don’t get to pick your doctor and may wait months to see a specialist. In order to go to the ER, you first need to be vetted to see if you really need emergency care. The general response when you go to the doctor is, “give it a few weeks. The problem may go away.” 
• Primary school is mandatory from 5 years on, and goes for 6 years. They’re  serious: there is an 85€ fine for each day the kid is not in school…and agents are stationed at airports to catch those parents taking their kids out of school to go on vacation!
• There are 3 secondary school options: 1) 4 year track for a trade or laborer, 2) 5 year track to go to University for a bachelor degree and 3) 6-year track to go to University for a higher degree. BUT there is a lottery program to get into University. Its not based on grades but on the 5 or 6 year track.  You can’t go until your number comes up. For our cruise director, it took 3 years til she could go. (Of course, an American asked whether there was corruption in the lottery. Obviously, Americans would find a way to rig such a system!!)
• Guns are very difficult to get: two year waiting period, personal references, evaluations, etc. It’s common to not know anyone who owns a gun. 
• The most assaults and aggressive behavior is not in “bad neighborhoods” but usually at soccer games! Sporting events are not family activities like they are in the U.S.
• There is sex education in primary school. Consequently The Netherlands claim the lowest teen pregnancy rate and also the lowest abortion rates in the world. 
• Like Belgium, prostitution is not technically legal here but they see that it’s happening, there’s a market for it, we may as well do it safely. The sex workers have regular health checkups, pay taxes, etc. Pop quiz: what is the busiest time for prostitutes? Between 7:30 and 9 am when men are headed to work. 🤔

Fresh flowers in our room today…and every day, snacks!

Some interesting Dutch expressions:

It’s as if an Angel pissed on my food. (Compliments to the Chef!)

And now the monkey comes out of the sleeve. (Let the cat out of the bag)

I’d like to glue him behind the wallpaper.  (He’s annoying me)

Let’s not drag any old cows out of the canal. (Let it go /let sleeping dogs lie)

Act normal and you’ll be crazy enough. (Get over yourself)

Dave and I are 2nd time cruisers so we were invited to attend a special cocktail hour tonight. We received these Aquavit (water of life) glasses (Aquavit is a little like Carmel flavored lighter fluid, but the glasses are cute). 

AND we had another shot at trivia. This time general info. Here’s the winning team with 26 out of 33 points: (with our new friends Maureen and Jack)

And here are our valuable prizes. We each got to pick something. This is my wooden shoes magnet and Dave’s bicycle key chain. 🏆

Overnight tonight we sail to Dordrecht.