Behind the scenes # 4 - Nederland & Finland

Breaking international news! My life just became easier.

First, a bit of background: about 3.5 years ago, my girlfriend (now wife) and I moved from Amsterdam to Finland. Of course, our main reason was the fantastic weather… A great decision that turned into an incredible adventure.

Anyone who’s ever migrated will agree — there are, of course, some downsides. Missing family? Sometimes, yes. By the way, we all agree on one thing we don’t miss: de Nederlandse spoorwegdienstregeling. It still amazes me that in Finland, trains are actually on time — even at minus twenty! 🚆❄️

So what do we miss? Easy: Dutch snacks. You don’t even want to know how many times I’ve tried to make the perfect satesaus. Me trying to make Rotti is perhaps the most embarrassing attempt in human mankind. On the bright side: Some problems just got solved!

Last week, the most notorious Dutch dish — De Kapsalon — officially reached Finland! Not even in the capital, but right here in Lahti (yes, hometown of Ajax legend Jari Litmanen⚽).

Fun fact: the city’s nickname is “The Chicago of Finland.” Slightly cooler than Wormer’s nickname…

As a real Dutchman, of course, I had to try it. And honestly? It was perfect. The entire left wall was covered with a giant photo of a windmill, and Dutch TV channels were playing. Personally, I wouldn’t put on Vincent in Dromenland, but still — it felt more Dutch than most kebab shops in the Netherlands. Even better: my favorite snack, the broodje kroket, was on the menu too. #ProblemSolved 

Someone recently asked me: “Nick, why isn’t there anything about Finland in your books?”

Well, my first drafts were actually about some spectacular characters migrating from the Netherlands to Finland. Was it about me? Maybe. Those drafts haven’t seen the (northern) lights of day yet. There’s definitely something here that inspired one of the opening scenes in my second book.

Saunas? Ice hockey? Drinking in your underwear at home (kalsarikännit)? Russian villains?

A thousand lakes? Bad weather? High alcohol prices?

You wouldn’t guess it in a million years…  But thanks to Instagram’s maximum character limit — stay tuned!