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February 15, 2026
A Noisy Balkan Stuck in the Netherlands
A frozen morning woke me up. The Netherlands gets more light when it's covered in white, which is what its citizens, surrounded by rain and grayness, miss the most.
TL;DR
- The author observes that the Netherlands lacks sufficient sunlight, impacting citizens' well-being.
- He notes a higher incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in northern regions like the Netherlands, possibly linked to climate and vitamin D.
- The article contrasts Dutch adherence to order and rules with the author's more boisterous Balkan temperament.
- Parenting styles are discussed, contrasting Western 'happy child' ideology with stricter methods.
- The author feels like an outsider, a 'noisy Balkan,' in the highly structured Dutch society.
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