'Indos' in Holland enjoy best of two different world

'Indos' in Holland enjoy best of two different world

Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

It is easy for Indonesians to feel at home in the Netherlands.
Just stand in the middle of a market, and amid the swirls of
people rushing to buy bread or fruit or meat, one is very likely
to hear Indonesian words flying around.

These Indonesian words are mostly uttered by the Indo-Dutch --
people of mixed blood with either one of their parents or
grandparents being from Indonesia.

They are the descendants of the first wave of immigrants to
Holland from Indonesia after the government of the newly-born
state gave them two years in 1949 to decide whether they wanted
to retain their Dutch nationality or take Indonesian citizenship.

Then, beginning in the 1970s, more Indonesians started to flow
into the Netherlands to work and to study and, eventually, become
Dutch citizens.

As these people built up their lives and families, a new
generation was born -- those who were born and raised in the
Netherlands.

For them, Indonesia, with its white sandy beaches and exotic
tropical fruits, remains for most a place to visit from time to
time.

"When you say Indonesia, my first thoughts are: family,
friends, but especially vacation and holiday," said Deborah Lim,
24, whose parents are both Indonesians who came to the
Netherlands to find work.

"When I was younger, I just thought it was a wonderful place
for a vacation with a loving family that would do anything for
me," said Joyce van den Wijngaart, 25, whose mother is
Indonesian.

Although the members of the second and third generation still
feel an attachment to Indonesia as a country, they consider
themselves to be Dutch -- but with an edge.

"I'm a Dutch girl with a color and with an additional
culture," said Verena van der Laan, whose father is Dutch and
mother is Indonesian. "For me, being an Indo girl means that I
can switch between the two cultures," said the 32-year-old
psychology lecturer.

Indo here refers to mixed-blood Dutch.

Integrating smoothly into a society that has embraced many
other cultures, this generation finds the different customs
consoling rather than confusing.

Joyce said that she enjoyed the Indonesian way of having meals
together, even with unexpected guests, which might seem strange
to the Dutch.

"Our family always cooks a lot of food and guests are more
than welcome," said Joyce.

"Appointments are not very important for me. But I know that
if I want to visit someone, I have to call first," she added.

Parts of Indonesian culture, of course, have proved to be
stumbling blocks. Royce Darmin always asks her Indonesian friends
to come earlier than the appointment time and reminds them "don't
be jam karet", which literally means "rubber time" - always being
late.

For Karin van der Laan, Verena's sister, emotions can be
perceived differently. "Getting angry means losing face (in
Indonesia)," she said. "In Holland, it's the other way around. If
you don't speak your mind, you're 'weak,'" added the 29-year-old.

Although they unequivocally support the Dutch soccer team,
there is one thing that binds Indonesia to their hearts: "Food!
Eating together is very important!" said Verena.

"I think that's the one thing that does not make me completely
a Dutchman," said Richard Lim, Deborah's younger brother.

It is indeed difficult for these young people to imagine the
real Indonesia. The country is limited to them as stories from
the past - war stories and tales of pre-1970s childhoods -- news
on television that portrays all that is difficult and horrible
here, or brief glances during their short holidays.

Nevertheless, perhaps these Indos have the best of both worlds
over there: a more efficient and prosperous homeland, and the
glorious reminders of a second home, with its spicy cuisine,
superb scenery and loving families.