Netherlands 2018

Maastricht, Netherlands 

May-June 2018

In a few weeks we will be headed back to Europe again to spend a few weeks in the Netherlands for round TWO of Pearce's Masters program. He's been working diligently here on his course work which at times feels overwhelming for both of us. So needless to say we are ready to head back to Maastricht to enjoy the laid back European lifestyle once again. It will be a great pick-me-up for everyone.

As you may remember last year we stayed in the Aparthotel - a bare bones "hotel" which lacked a lot of necessities including a a kitchen. This time around I found a cozy little house, kitchen and all,  just south of the Old Town on the Meuse river. It also is pretty close to Mount St. Pieter which is the large green hill that hides all of the Maastricht caves we visited last trip. I am especially excited to be able to cook using things other than a microwave. And we have a cute little backyard that will be great for the kids to play in.

The kids are set up for preschool again for about four days per week for the three weeks we will be there. The school principal is excited to have them again and is graciously letting me use her cargo bike to get them there and back. How very Dutch of me, no? It *should* about 30 minutes one-way so I will have a built-in workout to keep up with all the french fries and mayo I plan to eat. Also, I am pretty sure I am going to look as awesome as the lady pictured below...

Pearce will also go full Dutch this year and have a bike of his own to bike to and from his classes. It will take him about 15 minutes to get to class by going across the river over the JFK bridge (N278), the southernmost bridge in Maastricht. I promise to get some pictures of our biking adventures.




One exciting piece of news I discovered is that our visit to Maastricht synchs with a once in every 7 year event called Heiligdomsvaart, or Sanctuary Procession. The Maastricht Procession is a religious/historical event to celebrate the important relics of the town, with importance that goes back to the Middle Ages. Over the course of ten days, there will be pilgrimages (between other towns with important religious relics), performances, relic demonstrations, music, singing, dancing and more. This year will mark the 55th year of celebration, although the the pilgrimage has been recorded in writing as far back as the 1300s. We will be attending a few of the special events, including a viewing of Handel's Messiah Opera and a viewing of an outdoor movie. Should be a very special experience.

If you are curious about the history of the Procession check it out here:
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heiligdomsvaart_(Maastricht)