Across the world: Precious knowledge about the culture in Europe

Towards the end of blogging travelling experience in Europe, it is time now to share some general knowledge about their culture that I gained from my tour guide, Wanda, who is a Taiwanese married to a Dutch. In fact, I should have shared this before I started blogging anything about the sightseeing, but late is always better than never.

This is one thing good about travelling with travel agency. I believe you would not be able to hear so many "stories" about their countries if you are travelling on your own. The information that I am going to tell might not be 100% accurate, though I had tried my best to jot down while Wanda was telling us the information at the same time.

The very first interesting information was about the drivers. The drivers can never be allowed to work more than 12 hours a day. The time starts counting from the moment they leave the hotel until they go back and take rest. They must have at least 9 hours of rest and also one day off after every 6 working days. If they are found to break the regulation and caught for the first time, they will be fined, licensed will be suspended for the second time, and unfortunately will be jailed for the third time. Also, they must have a short break (can't recall the duration) for every few hours (can't recall the figure too) of driving. I believe the government enforces such regulation is to enhance the safety on roads. Yes, I think it is good from a passenger's perspective, but never from a traveller's. Due to the long driving distance and such regulation, we had sacrificed a lot of travelling time. It was my ever first trip without activities at nights.

Holland

I think most of us know that Netherland is well known for its tulips and windmills. If you do not know, I would advice you to read and hear more from people, tv and internet. To my surprise, Wanda told us that the origin of the tulip is Turkey and the windmill was introduced by Arabians. Everybody thinks that tulips come from Holland. Actually, Tulips are native to Central Asia and Turkey. In the 16th Century they were brought to Holland from Turkey, and quickly became widely popular. Today Tulips are cultivated in Holland in great numbers and in huge fields. Dutch bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, are exported all around the world so people think that it's originated from there as well. In fact many cultivated varieties were widely grown in Turkey long before they were introduced to European gardens.

http://www.allaboutturkey.com/tulip.htm>

It is more common to see the people here cycling than driving.

Houses are usually tall and skinny, with a small door and big windows. This is due to the fact that in older days, their government charged door taxes based on the door size. So the people make their house with small doors, just enough for a regular person to get through to save their tazes. Also, since land is expensive, they build their houses taller and skinny.

You must be surprised how the furniture get in with such a small door. Well, there is a hook on the top used to transport their large furnitures from ground to the upper floor through their big windows.

For more information about their red light district and wooden clog, please visit http://yvaineinuk.blogspot.com/2009/11/europe-trip-country-1-netherland.html

Belgium

It is only founded for only around 170 years and consequently there is not national language. They have three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Some of them speak English. The people here works for 11 months but get salary for 13 months.

Belgium encourages the people to have children. The government pays 80 euro for the first child and doule up for each subsequent child. Children under 12 years old can enjoy free rides on all tranportaions.

Belgium is famous for its Godiva chocolate.

Luxembourg

This country has
1) high number of working women
2) women can enjoy hign number of maternity leaves for 6 months and yet get 70% of their salary
3) high cleanliness

Heilderberg

90% are students

San Marino

The smallest republic country in europe which is situated in Itally