Where are the Dutch?

Where are the Dutch? The conquerors of the ocean, the travelers you will find in any remote village, the nation that is well known for it’s football players, cheese and stroopwafels.

Where are you guys?

It seems I am surrounded by three nationalities. First of all Ghanaians. My direct colleague is Ghanaian, the person sitting opposite to me is from Gahan and the whole road between me and and the top of the UN is Ghanian. My direct boss, our divisional director, the executive secretary (also under Secretary General) and last but not least mr. Annan are all Ghanaian.
Then we have the Germans (or German-speaking). My landlord is a German and four of my direct colleagues and here are German. Including their partners (which I meet, because the Germans are also part of my social life) this means Addis is not the place you want to watch Germany beat Holland in a football match (luckily this will never happen).

But then there is this last category. The Maltese. Originating from a small island in the Mediterranean where they live with probably not more then 400.000 inhabitants, they have decided to surround me during my stay here in Addis. I have by now met at least 4 Maltese here and am aware of two or three more (of this group 4-5 are either priest of nun). And until now I have been able to regulate my points of contact outside of the UN-compound. But this peaceful situation has ended since one of my colleagues returned from leave and being Maltese as well to my surprise. Luckily all the Maltese are a blessing to be around with, since they are rather straightforward and funny.

But the question remains: WHERE ARE THE DUTCH?

There is the ‘Old Milkhouse’ full of Dutch flags and cows and ‘Wim’s Holland House’ which suggests the Dutch must be all around or at least continuously in these two bars. But until now have only been able to spot one. ONE!

If you know where they are hiding or if the Dutch embassy has decided to evacuate all of them, please inform me ASAP.