Blogs from Limburg, Netherlands, Europe
May 18th 2012
The last day at the Flower Expo was at hand. Hans and Tiny from camping Heiderust were driving by car and I begged aride. We drove to Venlo and from there tookthe Floriade Express for 3.50euro. The tickets were bought at the Station Kiosk, the bus was packed and we were there in no time. It was a sunny day and the place was teaming with visitors. This wa the day for the gondola ride. The system has been rented from Austria whence it will return to serve as a ski-lift. A pavilion from Japan offered ideas about how different tastes are attained,what food assembly machines can do and how tools for fast food restaurants are used. This in combination with sustainable food distribution around the world and who produces GM foods and by how much: ... read more
May 14th 2012
Sights seen .... facts read ... trivia learned ... All the pictures are from day three at Floriade, spent at Villa Flora where the competition flowers are housed and where other international countries displayed their seeds, desalination methods, happiness quotients, the availability of herbal spas and festivals celebrated with flowers The animals observed up to now include, at the camping, in a small enclosure include a mule, some brown chickens with feathers right down to their feet, and two goats. It was at the entrance of the campground on the first day that I saw the sheep being herded into a transport container by two border collies. Have since learned that the sons of the owner of the camping and their wives all have outside jobs. On the way to the Floriade can be seen the ... read more
May 6th 2012
And so it begins. Four hour delay in flight and then flying on a plane that required four hours of repair. One of the attendants said it was a small computer wire ... ???? .... . Finally on the plane in a seat with limited leg room, beside a big man with large elbows. With great anticipation i took out my wooden knitting needles and Noro wool in shades of morning mist BUT he back of seat in front of me was too close to be able to knit comfortably. For seven hours endured the closeness of a strange man (do not sleep so attached to my partner), watched one movie with sound and viewed the other two in silence between neck torturing sleep. Blankets and blowup neck rings were on sale for $7. A warm ... read more
May 6th 2012
Camping Heiderust was an excellent find. Have only been here half a day and am already loving it. Will be here for two weeks. There are people with trailers and tents, cars and satellites, bikes and mopeds, kids and pets. The place is fully booked. Am happy that the reservation was made last December. Heiderust is Number 19. The owners live at Number 20. As mentioned before I met the owner on my first approach. He helped me find the supervisors. On the way to the grocery store the rest of the afore mentioned sheep were moved out of the field. The seven, four week old lambs accompanied the VERY wooly sheep. It is still too chilly to shear them. The sheep are making way for horses. The farm property seems quite large. My little cabin ... read more
De rekening* (or Limburger cheese)
Published: March 23rd 2012Europe » Netherlands » Limburg » Maastricht
March 20th 2012
*De rekening is actually Dutch for asking for the bill. I just like it as I think it sounds quite biblical to ask for the 'reckoning' at the end of each meal, it's like every meal could be your last... After a couple of ski holidays to France at the beginning of the year (see the photos, but I won't bore you with the details; you go up, down, up etc), plans for the final ski weekend mutated into a plan for a long weekend in Holland instead. Two fellow snowboarders (although I have to confess the board stayed in this year and I returned to the pure faith of skiing) happen to live in Holland and so you know me, never one to pass up a visiting opportunity, offered to visit them and have a ... read more
February 22nd 2012
Oh man. So this past weekend, we went to Maastricht for Carnavale - their pre-Mardi Gras celebration. Carnavale is celebrated in the south of Holland, so we had to get out of Utrecht to take part. We had some options, but we decided to head to Maastricht, a town about two hours south of Utrecht, right on the Belgian border and close to the German border. We met at Utrecht Centraal station at 9.45am to catch the 10.08 train south. There were four Canadians, three Austrains and one Turk to begin with, though that didn't last. The best description of carnavale might be the one given by my buddy David, who is a true journalist at heart: "So every year, Maastricht, this sleepy little Dutch town along the German border throws a carnival called (wait for ... read more
So, I was thinking we'd go to Holland on Monday. Is that alright with you?
Published: January 7th 2012Europe » Netherlands » Limburg » Maastricht
January 7th 2012
Hi everyone! First I just have to say how sorry I am I have gotten so behind on blogs!! The one I posted yesterday was a work in progress since the 2nd of January. I know when I start blogs because I always save them as the day I started writing them. The problem that occurs is that I want to wait to write a blog until after such and such a day because that will be when I switch houses, or after New Year’s is over etc. But then I get busy with the next activity and then I’m like “Gosh, I have so much to write, and I hate having to remember all the funny things that happened and I don’t want to leave anything out.” I could just write a little bit each ... read more
June 5th 2011
Maastricht, This city blew me away. Built along the Maas, a huge slow moving river used as a highway. Riding my bike along this river you get an idea of how much the Dutch have changed their land. I couch surfed Tatyanas and made new friends at every turn. People so welcoming, smart, funny and always down for a beer and a joint. At first Tatyana was concerned that she would not have much time to show me around but time found its self and I had a fez great tours of the city. We rode to an old Roman fort to watch the sun set, stole a lecture, partied with some great CSers and shared many laughs. Her roomies, Alfanzo and Nina were always up for a conversation and welcomed me into their home. I ... read more
May 27th 2011
Hello Everyone! We have been on trips the last two days so I haven't had access to a computer to write you all. First things first...ALLERGIES! ugh. The locals have said the weather has been very different over here so everyone's allergies have been really bad. But on the bright side it is raining today so hopefully that will help. So Tuesday we had a city walk in Maastricht and saw all the local attractions such as the St. Servaas Basilica, the city gate, the fort, etc. It was quite interesting and I got a lot of good pictures, unfortunately I haven't been able to load them. We then had a fun night out on the town at the local bars with the two students who are studying here from Washburn. Wednesday we traveled to the ... read more
May 23rd 2011
Hello Everyone!! Well I just finished the 2 lectures we were given today. One was a cross-cultural workshop and the other was an Introduction to the European Union. Both were very interesting, but the second was very long. With a full belly from lunch and jet lag kicking in..it was a very long two hours, but interesting! We just found out there are two students studying here this semester and will be having dinner with them tonight. We are headed to have a special Maastricht meal but they won't tell us what it is...a little scary for a picky eater like myself! :) So..about that 4 hour layover in Philadelphia, well it turned into a 9 and a half hour layover. First, we found out it had been delayed two hours (to 8pm) and moved to ... read more
