Sunday, June 18, 2023

Maastricht, Netherlands

When the Flixbus turned onto the highway toward Maastricht, the little town I’d visited a few days before, I felt a weight drop off me. I inwardly sighed feeling like I was in a good place. I remember having this same feeling every time I cross the border back to Oregon from wherever I might have been traveling to. It’s a feeling of returning “home.”

            At the train station I disembarked yet had no idea where my hotel was. Pulling out my phone and opening the Map app, I put in the address and saw it was a 20-minute walk. Hmmm. I’d just been sitting for the last several hours, waiting an excruciating long time in Brussels for the bus, and then the two-plus hour ride. A walk would do me good. Always a challenge with a heavy backpack and pulling a suitcase behind me, especially over an unpaved pathway. It was another relief to see the hotel. At check-in I inquired if there was a room available so I could stay two nights, instead of the one I’d booked. Not only was the answer yes, but the price was one-half of what I’d paid for the first night. Bonus!

Once in my room I did my normal routine of a nice shower and putting on clean clothes. I was really hungry. I’d not had anything to eat but my emergency snacks and it was past 6:00 pm. The Yelp app indicated a café not far and I set out again using Maps. The walk took me along a path with office buildings to my right and a grassy area occupied by geese to my left. Ahead it looked like more of the same open land with weeds growing. I saw no buildings ahead, much less a restaurant. Just before I turned around, I saw a woman with a dog on a leash. When we’d caught up to one another I asked her, and she said there was indeed a restaurant around the corner. Okay, then, and walking further I discovered the place.

I sat outside among many other diners. Over my cool drink I perused the menu. Wanting something substantial I considered steak or fish but decided on the special because the price fit my need to be frugal. It was another non-regional meal (like my two Italian restaurant meals) because it was a weekly promotion the restaurant runs highlighting foods from different countries. Just my luck it was American Week; my meal was a burger and fries. Granted, it was good. It was too much and I only ate half of everything.

It was an enjoyable walk back to the hotel. In my room, dressed for bed I watched television, finding an English-speaking station, but soon turned out the light and went to sleep.

Monday, June 19, 2023

Maastricht, Netherlands

9:30 am

I slept until 9:30 am! My first really deep and long sleep since leaving the U.S.A. for the Netherlands. It was wonderful not to have to set an alarm, be somewhere, and to have the whole day before me to explore. After enjoying two cups of the best instant expresso provided by the hotel, I opened my computer to check in on family and friends and check email.

Prior to arriving in Maastricht, thinking I only had one day, I thought I wouldn’t contact the friend I’d made a few days earlier. I didn’t think I’d be much good company and knew I needed to decompress from my Brussels overload of people. We’d exchanged email addresses and after a good night’s sleep I discovered a message from Don, which made me smile. He expressed happiness in having met me and wished me good luck on my continued travels. Not yet ready to commit to company, I dressed and set out for the day.

The bus pickup point is just around the corner by, of all places, McDonalds. The number six took me to City Center where I sat down for an early lunch. There I decided that yes, it would be nice to meet with Don, my only Netherland friend, if he had the time. I sent an email letting him know that my only plan was to visit the Natural History Museum, my one for-sure place on my day’s itinerary. If he had time and was willing, maybe we could get a bite to eat and have another visit. While I waited to see if he would replay, I headed to the museum.

After buying my ticket (it was the first time someone asked if I qualified for the senior discount. I hadn’t taken my friend Sue’s advice and sought it on my own), I proceeded to see what the museum had to offer.

The exhibits are all in Dutch, but luckily, I could make out a good deal of the meanings and since I know a lot about what is on display, didn’t have too much trouble. Six-year-old granddaughter Pearl would be in heaven here. She is a lover of all things dinosaur. I took photos for her. Here in Maastricht there have been two famous discoveries of the Mosasaurus. Like Pearl, I love this stuff. My favorite exhibit was the recreation of the private collection of someone from the early 20^th century. There were several specimens floating in bottles with original handprinted descriptions displayed behind a glass cabinet. Other specimens around the room were various skeletal body parts and several stuffed mammals and birds. Another great exhibit was the 1990s discovery of a Mosasaurus. The first one found is unfortunately in Paris, taken there as a war trophy when France occupied the city. It’s a shame it has not been returned to where it belongs. I learned much about the early history of Maastricht.

After leaving the museum I made my way back to City Center. There I discovered a bustling crowd of people filling the small streets. Stores were open and there were small vendors selling wares, including a flea market! Heaven again.

I checked my email and Don had written, offering to meet me later. He suggested a visit to a popular area called Sint Pietersberg. I wrote saying that would be wonderful, but I needed to return to the hotel to recharge myself and my phone. I would meet him at the train station, a nice central location for both of us.

Once refreshed, I met Don, later than we’d planned. I didn’t think we had time to go to Sint Pietersberg but he it was only a short bike ride from where we were. Uh, Oh. I can ride a bike, or course, but here? I’m game for just about anything so I said a hesitant OK. Bike rentals with my handy-dandy OV-Chipkaart is only 4,50 euros for twenty-four hours. I did great on the bike, following behind Don and in fifteen minutes we were at the base of what Don said was, “the highest point in Maastricht.” It is 171 m (561 ft), much smaller than the hills I’ve trekked in Oregon.

Even still, I said there’s no way I’m riding the bike up there, so we parked, locked the bikes up, and hiked to the top. Not too strenuous but I still had to gain control of my breath at the top. The climb was so worth it. The views of the surrounding valleys and town, church steeples and farmed lands is spectacular. Lots of other people were enjoying the views. We walked the very easy paths and Don pointed out where limestone is quarried. From there in the distance is a breeding pair of “Oehoes,” the name given to an owl species in Maastricht. It sounds like “Ooh Who” to me the way Don pronounced it. We couldn’t see the nest, but it was neat knowing it was there. The most amazing place he showed me was the cave where a woman named Greetje Blanckers lived until she was moved to a home for the elderly. Here’s a link to information about her. I need Google Translate to read the full article but check it out. All I can say is, “Wow.”

As the sun set, we headed back to our bikes at the bottom of the hill. There I asked Don to take a photo of me on the bike. I had to have this memory and wanted to share with family and friends. At the train station we returned the bike I rented as I wouldn’t have need for it anymore. We checked and discovered the bus to take me back to where I could walk to my hotel was 25 minutes away. Don offered to take me on the back of his bike!

Come on! I said there was no way he’d be able to carry me, much less that I would be able to hang on and sit comfortably on the rack that had to be only about 12 by 6 inches. Well, I went for it. Why not? Ha Ha. After only one stop to readjust my seat by putting the sweater on the rack and holding on to his backpack, he literally rode me the ten minutes to where I could easily walk to my hotel. What a sight I made, at my age and weight (although all my walking has surely dropped a pound or two)! I couldn’t believe he could do it, yet he did.

Thanks Don, for the great memories! You are truly a nice person and I wish you well on your upcoming trip to India. Should you make it to the United States, you will be my guest on a tour of our town!

Back in my room I soaked in a nice hot bath laced with Dr. Bronner’s Lavender castile soap. Ahhh. Once settled in bed I fell asleep and woke up at 8:00 am.

I am now on a train headed to the town of Utrecht. I am told it is similar to Maastricht with regard to population and history. Two nights there to explore!