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Posts related to tag 'maastricht':

Preuvenemint 2010: A Taste of the World

25-08-2010 om 09:07 by Amanda Potter

026Normally if you wanted to taste your way through the restaurants in Maastricht in just one weekend, you’d have to bring a big doggy bag. But this weekend the restaurants are coming to you. Or at least they are congregating on the Vrijthof under the auspices of this year’s Preuvenemint where you can pick and chose flavors from the city in one location for 4 days.

A cultural mainstay of Maastricht, Preuvenemint is an annual culinary event intended to bring together people who love food and the cooks that love to feed them. Dan and I attended the event last year with my in-laws and had an enjoyable evening tasting various local Dutch foods including herring, mussels, and pork sate. The food was tasty, if a little pricy, and as we were traveling in a group it was fun to share plates and enjoying... read more

Let's Go Out to the Movies

18-08-2010 om 11:03 by Amanda Potter

111 (Yes, I know this is the wrong sort of theater.)

We’re in the last few weeks of summer and now is the time I start itching to go out to the movies. The summer blockbusters are out, and the greying weather makes me want to dive into another world for awhile. Luckily for me, and other English speakers like me, many American films 1) make it abroad, and 2) are subtitled in Dutch rather than dubbed.  They don’t always get here immediately, but usually the big films are only slightly delayed.  Here are some other unique things about Dutch cinemas:

1) Many Dutch theaters sell beer and coffee in addition to the typical soda and popcorn fare of movie theaters.
2) An, often unexpected, intermission is added to the middle of films at most theaters.
3) Mainstream cinemas play films primarily... read more

Fietsen in the Maastricht Region

14-07-2010 om 10:00 by Amanda Potter

118Biking in the Maastricht Region is nothing like biking in the rest of the Netherlands. Where the North is smooth and flat, Limburg is notable for its hilly, but not difficult terrain. One of our favorite summer activities is weekend day trips to one of the many small villages in the region, and with a small amount of planning anyone can do it.

Bike paths & Knooppunten
A nation of bikers, the Netherlands has a excellent network of bike paths both in and outside cities and towns. Most roads have paths marked in red, and when they do not you can still ride with traffic along the usually generous shoulder. The bike paths often go off the main roads all together as well, allowing you to bike along the Meuse river or though other picturesque scenery.
A network of knooppunten (nodes) for... read more

Enjoying Cafes on the Outside

14-04-2010 om 10:12 by Amanda Potter

139Spring has returned, and as I write this, I am sitting outside a cafe on the Vrijthof, sipping a cup of coffee and watching the world wander by on their way to work, shopping, or play.  The sun in shining, but even if it wasn’t, large practical umbrellas shade me and the other patrons from the inevitable Spring showers.  In other places in the world, we probably wouldn’t be out here so early in the season, but in Maastricht (and much of the Netherlands) it seems quite natural.

These outdoors cafe patios are one of my favorite features of the ubiquitous cafes and restaurants in the Netherlands. Nearly every Dutch-type cafe (and several other sorts of restaurants) in Maastricht has one. The indoor restaurant in the Brusselspoort even has a false “outdoor” seating area that is preferred by... read more

20 Reasons Expats Should Attend Pecha Kucha

24-02-2010 om 13:47 by Amanda Potter

048The Fifth Pecha Kucha Maastricht event came and went last weekend with a variety of great presentations and great people to meet. But even after having talked about the event with several expats I’ve met in Maastricht I was surprised not to see them in the sold out crowd. Here are 20 reasons you the expat should have been there:



1. The 20 slides, 20 seconds format keeps the evening going at a fast clip.
2. 12 presentations means you’re sure to learn something new.
3. Presentations given in English.
4. Held every 3 months (or so).
5. Only 5 euros at the door.
6. Hear speakers from all over the world.
7. Challenge your status quo, or just the broodje you had for lunch.
8. Get exercise biking out to the AINSI building.
9. See the bizarre metal contraptions left over from the AINSI’s... read more

Expat's First Carnival or Why I Attend Cultural Events

17-02-2010 om 16:09 by Amanda Potter

139As ‘t Mooswief doll was lowered at midnight, Dan and I stood and hummed along with the singing revelers commemorated the end of Carnival 2010 on the Vrijthof. Sure I didn’t know the song. Or what the Prince said. Or even who most of the people around me were. But as we walked home it occurred to me that Carnival has helped bring me closer to the city I choose to live in.

Grasping Tradition

Part of the traditional pre-Lent celebrations seen in many Catholic cities, Maastricht’s Carnival celebration are well-known. Besides its reputation of indulgence, Carnival is a time for people to get a bit silly and to enjoy themselves in their community. Reading articles can teach you about the traditions, but attending events such as the 11 cannon shots fired at the opening of Carnival or speeches... read more

4 Likes and 1 Dislike of Running in Maastricht

03-02-2010 om 10:00 by Amanda Potter

022I must be some kind of fool, but just before Christmas I decided it was time to take up a running regimen to keep those extra holiday pounds down and get me out of the house. Armed with the Couch to 5K interval running program, I’ve been out pounding the sidewalks in and out of the residential spaces of Maastricht. This region is fun to run in. Here’s why I think so.



1) Compact Towns
None of the towns in Limburg are sprawling and in a thirty minute jog it would be cake to get outside of Maastricht city proper and into the countryside. As my runs take me further (because my running intervals will increase), it will be like rewarding myself for a job well done to see the buildings give way to green spaces, farms, and (in my case) the Belgian border.

2) Runner-Friendly Roads
Besides... read more

Snow in Limburg & How to Handle It

13-01-2010 om 12:28 by Amanda Potter

With the heavy storm warnings of last week and the steady snowfall in Limburg, this winter is shaping up to be colder and snowier than it has been in several years. There is even talk of the canals in the North being open for the Elfstedentocht; something that hasn’t happened since 1997.  Here in Maastricht the accumulation is still light by my Vermonter standards, but from what I’ve been told it may as well be a blizzard.



So how are we handling the snow? Not bad. Streets and bike paths are clear, but at least in my area of Maastricht few sidewalks have been shoveled. Biking in the slush for the first time was scary and train traffic remains a bit snarled. But the city in snow? Very lovely. Fortunately Maastricht has offered some local guidelines on the Gemeente’s website for how to... read more

Stroopwafels: Breakfast is now a Cookie

08-01-2010 om 09:00 by Amanda Potter

Ah, Stroopwafels. The Dutch snack that until now I’ve always had to beg Dan to buy because he thought the store bought ones were stale and bland. Well look at him tucking into that huge, warm, fresh stroopwafel now. Yum.



A stroopwafel is two thin waffle-like cookies with a thin layer of syrup or honey between them. According to wikipedia they oriented in Gouda during the 18th century. They come in all sizes, but are usually round and the size of the palm of your hand. In the stores you can get them in packages under all sorts of brand names. I recommend getting the honey ones for a sweeter experience.

If you have the chance to eat a fresh stoopwafel, go for it. Like most things, fresh and warm is a recipe for a really wonderful treat. I’ve never seen a booth in Maastricht, but have... read more

Travel by the Maastricht Train Station

01-01-2010 om 10:00 by Amanda Potter

The Maastricht train station is such an important landmark that I probably should have written about it first. Unless you come by car, the train station will probably be your first and last impression of Maastricht. Fortunately, it cuts quite the memorable figure from its centuries-old stone construction to its brilliant stain glass windows. In addition to the station itself, there is also a bus station, mini-Albert Heijns, café, bookstore, and information desks for both the trains and buses.



Of course a train station is really only as good as the service it provides and, like most places in the Netherlands, the Maastricht station is more than adequate. We can typically show up 10 minutes before our train arrives, pick up tickets, and be settled into our seats with a bit of time to... read more

Visiting the Vrijthof

25-12-2009 om 10:00 by Amanda Potter

When you visit Maastricht, you will neither be able nor want to miss the Vrijthof. It is one of the best known squares in the city and plays host to a variety of events including Preuvenemint, Andre Rieu’s open-air concerts, Winterland, Carnival activities and more. Ceremonial city events are also held on the Vrijthof. We once caught a Botche ball tournaments there and in 2009 the Queen's Day children’s market was held on the square. Overlooking the square you will also see the imposing St. Servaas Basiliek and St. Janskerk (identifiable by its bright red tower).

Of course you probably won’t just be visiting the Vrijthof to say that you’ve been there. You will probably also want to relax in one of the cafes that line the square. Many of the cafes here serve Dutch cuisine and have large... read more

Spanning the Meuse in Maastricht

18-12-2009 om 09:00 by Amanda Potter

Maastricht may not be a canal city, but its history and identity has always been wrapped around the Meuse river that flow through middle the city and its tributaries. Centuries ago when Maastricht was founded there was only one way to get across the Meuse. Today there are 5 major bridges in Maastricht itself: three you’ll use as a pedestrian and two for vehicles only.


St. Servatiusburg (St. Servaasburg) is the oldest bridge in the Netherlands and a beautiful, understated structure in the center of Maastricht. Built in the 13th century, St. Servatius bridge was repair and updated several times over its history. Today only a single arch remains from the original structure; the rest of the bridge is reinforced concrete faced with stone except for the metal drawbridge added to accommodate... read more

Culture Surprise at the Doctor's Office

11-12-2009 om 10:00 by Amanda Potter

After procrastinating for several months, my chronic wrist problems finally forced me to explore Dutch healthcare and make my first appointment with a primary care physician.



Finding a Doctor

Dutch healthcare operates a bit like an HMO in the US. One of the key components is to find a primary care physician (huisart) since this is the person who will handle all your medical care from now on. You’ll want someone nearby and since insurances are universally accepted that should be no problem.

It is generally suggested that you ask a friend or neighbor to recommend a huisartspraktijk (doctor’s office). This is tricky for an expat who has not joined a Dutch family and may not have made many friends yet. We found our doctor’s office, Dokter Van Kleef Gezondheidscentrum, through an online... read more

Weekly Markets in Maastricht

04-12-2009 om 10:00 by Amanda Potter

One of the pleasures of living in the Netherlands is the prevalence of open air markets. Maastricht is no exception to this rule with not one, but four different options every week. More complete than the farmers’ market of Massachusetts, the markets here are more like a hybrid of flea and food markets with antiquing on Sundays. There main markets occur every week in Maastricht, but everyone should try to see all of them at least once.

Weekly Market: Wednesday, 8:00-13:00 at the Markt Square.  Wednesday mornings are a great time to stroll down to the Markt square and do your weekly fresh food shopping. Local farmers, bakers, and butchers set up shop on the square to sell you whatever is currently in season. The food is fresh and I have found the prices to be comparable or better than the... read more

Its Beginning to Look Like Sinterklaas...

27-11-2009 om 12:00 by Amanda Potter

As soon as the weather gets cool here in Maastricht, the holiday garlands, lights, and candy comes out for the winter holidays.  It may seem early if you are not from the Netherlands, but everyone is really just getting ready for Sinterklaas on December 5th.

About the Holiday

Sinterklaas is traditionally the celebration of St. Nicholas’ birthday. In the tradition of Dutch birthdays where the celebrant provides the cake to share with his or her colleagues, St. Nicholas (Sint Nicolaas in Dutch) gives gifts to children who have been good for the whole year. Starting on November 14th, he travels around the Netherlands with his entourage of helpers, Zwarte Piet (Black Peters), to make sure the kids have been good before delivering a bag of gifts on December 5th. On December 6th he heads... read more

 
 
Amanda Potter moved to Maastricht from Boston, Massachusetts in April, 2009 with her husband Dan for his research position at the University of Maastricht. Between exploring their adopted country and learning about a new culture, Amanda blogs about her experience and the city at www.MaastrichtMinutiae.com. Amanda works as a freelance writer and web designer at www.FallenKitten.com and webmaster for the comic www.WalkingtheLethe.com. She has two globetrotting cats that keep her company in their second floor Maastricht flat.
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