Sunday, February 21, 2010
Happy Birthday, George Washington!
"Two centuries ago, King George III was told that President George Washington, who had eight years earlier turned down the opportunity to be the king of the United States, was planning to give up the presidency at the conclusion of his second term and return to his farm in Mount Vernon. The astonished monarch, who had lost a war to General Washington, said, 'If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.' Washington did, and he was. Does anything more clearly illustrate how far we have fallen in 210 years?" --columnist Burt Prelutsky
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Bruges
I am going to write a book. [If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you're probably thinking, "Yeah, right. You've said that for a long time."] But, seriously, I found a topic and everything. It's going to be written under the working title Europe: Don't Travel With Children.
It's not that Jackson isn't a joy as a travel companion. In fact, he's pretty good about traveling. Europe, on the other hand, is starting to be a miserable travel companion. Maybe it's just Europe in the winter.
Anyways, I saw on Chris' work schedule awhile back that there was going to be a three-day weekend, so I jumped on making travel reservations for Bruges, Belgium. A romantic place for Valentine's Day, I was thinking.
Well, it didn't occur to me at the time that this holiday weekend was not in celebration of Presidents Day - it was actually NATO's holiday for Rosenmontag, or Carnival Monday. So, strike one for us, since we missed out on the Carnival stuff all weekend in the Netherlands and Germany. Belgians apparently don't do Carnival.
Here's something else they don't do - anything travel-friendly for people with strollers. Just as one example of the non-stroller-friendly madness: we searched for a long time through the streets of Bruges on Sunday for a cafe, restaurant, fast-food place, anything, where we could change and feed Jackson. We searched high and low and could find nowhere that the stroller could make it in the doorway or around tables. Nowhere.
So, we sat outside on a freezing cold bench to feed our poor baby. We sat contemplating the situation. Would it have been better to haul Jack around in the Baby Bjorn all weekend? No, ultimately that would have also been a disaster. No restaurants that we saw had high chairs, so even if we could take him inside easily, there would have been no place to put him once we got to a table.
All that aside, though, we really had a nice trip. Bruges was beautiful, even during the winter. The canals were iced over and the swans were walking around on the ice. There were a few other high points:
1. Our bed and breakfast. Gone are the days where you hear about a really great deal that just seems impossible to be true. I think a lot of that disappeared with the arrival of the euro. But, we actually found one. We stayed in a quaint little apartment a short distance from the city center that was (you'll never believe it) 55 EUROS PER NIGHT. Seriously. And we had an awesome breakfast included in that price. We couldn't believe it. AND, the owner welcomed us with a Belgian kriek (cherry) beer that was to die for.
2. Shopping. We found great stores, including one that had lots of ornaments for different holidays. I'm a sucker for this type of place. In fact, they had something completely genius - a Carnival tree. I had always thought to buy some beautiful masks in Venice, but never knew what I would do with them. And, this store had a gorgeous tree set up, covered in Carnival masks and other ornaments. It was spectacular.
3. Meridian restaurant. Every guidebook and Belgian told us not to eat in the Markt square. It was considered touristy and gauche, overpriced without great food. If you have a child, though, disregard such advice and eat all your meals at the Meridian restaurant in the Markt square. At a certain frustrated point, we peered in the window and saw a navigable table for us. As soon as we got the stroller in, we were greeted with such hospitality. They offered us spacious seating upstairs with use of an elevator; the food was incredible and beautifully presented; and the waiters loved to come up to Jackson and talk to him. We were so mad that we found this on our last day.
Ultimately, we had a nice weekend, and were happy to visit Bruges. We just want to go back in warmer weather, and this time we'll know what we're in for.
It's not that Jackson isn't a joy as a travel companion. In fact, he's pretty good about traveling. Europe, on the other hand, is starting to be a miserable travel companion. Maybe it's just Europe in the winter.
Anyways, I saw on Chris' work schedule awhile back that there was going to be a three-day weekend, so I jumped on making travel reservations for Bruges, Belgium. A romantic place for Valentine's Day, I was thinking.
Well, it didn't occur to me at the time that this holiday weekend was not in celebration of Presidents Day - it was actually NATO's holiday for Rosenmontag, or Carnival Monday. So, strike one for us, since we missed out on the Carnival stuff all weekend in the Netherlands and Germany. Belgians apparently don't do Carnival.
Here's something else they don't do - anything travel-friendly for people with strollers. Just as one example of the non-stroller-friendly madness: we searched for a long time through the streets of Bruges on Sunday for a cafe, restaurant, fast-food place, anything, where we could change and feed Jackson. We searched high and low and could find nowhere that the stroller could make it in the doorway or around tables. Nowhere.
So, we sat outside on a freezing cold bench to feed our poor baby. We sat contemplating the situation. Would it have been better to haul Jack around in the Baby Bjorn all weekend? No, ultimately that would have also been a disaster. No restaurants that we saw had high chairs, so even if we could take him inside easily, there would have been no place to put him once we got to a table.
All that aside, though, we really had a nice trip. Bruges was beautiful, even during the winter. The canals were iced over and the swans were walking around on the ice. There were a few other high points:
1. Our bed and breakfast. Gone are the days where you hear about a really great deal that just seems impossible to be true. I think a lot of that disappeared with the arrival of the euro. But, we actually found one. We stayed in a quaint little apartment a short distance from the city center that was (you'll never believe it) 55 EUROS PER NIGHT. Seriously. And we had an awesome breakfast included in that price. We couldn't believe it. AND, the owner welcomed us with a Belgian kriek (cherry) beer that was to die for.
2. Shopping. We found great stores, including one that had lots of ornaments for different holidays. I'm a sucker for this type of place. In fact, they had something completely genius - a Carnival tree. I had always thought to buy some beautiful masks in Venice, but never knew what I would do with them. And, this store had a gorgeous tree set up, covered in Carnival masks and other ornaments. It was spectacular.
3. Meridian restaurant. Every guidebook and Belgian told us not to eat in the Markt square. It was considered touristy and gauche, overpriced without great food. If you have a child, though, disregard such advice and eat all your meals at the Meridian restaurant in the Markt square. At a certain frustrated point, we peered in the window and saw a navigable table for us. As soon as we got the stroller in, we were greeted with such hospitality. They offered us spacious seating upstairs with use of an elevator; the food was incredible and beautifully presented; and the waiters loved to come up to Jackson and talk to him. We were so mad that we found this on our last day.
Ultimately, we had a nice weekend, and were happy to visit Bruges. We just want to go back in warmer weather, and this time we'll know what we're in for.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Alaaf!
This morning Jackson gave us the best surprise ever - he slept in until 8:00 a.m.! He had one minor bump in the road, waking up around 1:00, but who would have thought he would sleep so late! So, we did what most parents would do. We threw a parade in his honor:
OK, well, the parade wasn't to celebrate our sleep. We went to Sittard today for the Children's Carnaval Parade. It was pretty amazing. The town was decked out in red, yellow, and green streamers, flags, balloons, confetti, and a whole array of other things. Children were dressed in all kinds of different costumes, as were their parents and grandparents.
We made our way to the market square where there were food booths and the parade route set up. Being that we came straight from church, we got some soup from a vendor for lunch. A Dutch man came up to us, laughing, and said, "Oh, you went straight for the soup!" We stared at him quizzically, and he said, "Well, you should start with beer!"
At the children's parade?
We really had a good time watching the colorful floats and bands walking by. It's a great start to Carnaval! Alaaf! [Don't know what that means, but I'm assuming it's similar to the Greek "Opa"!]
OK, well, the parade wasn't to celebrate our sleep. We went to Sittard today for the Children's Carnaval Parade. It was pretty amazing. The town was decked out in red, yellow, and green streamers, flags, balloons, confetti, and a whole array of other things. Children were dressed in all kinds of different costumes, as were their parents and grandparents.
We made our way to the market square where there were food booths and the parade route set up. Being that we came straight from church, we got some soup from a vendor for lunch. A Dutch man came up to us, laughing, and said, "Oh, you went straight for the soup!" We stared at him quizzically, and he said, "Well, you should start with beer!"
At the children's parade?
We really had a good time watching the colorful floats and bands walking by. It's a great start to Carnaval! Alaaf! [Don't know what that means, but I'm assuming it's similar to the Greek "Opa"!]
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Oil Change or Blood Money?
Today I tackled a chore that I have been putting off for awhile. I took our Dodge Charger in for an oil change/12,000 mile checkup. I was avoiding this for a couple of reasons, and the situation lived up to the hype.
I was dreading the possibility of sitting there for a couple of hours with Jackson (check, it happened) and the temper tantrum that would come from being there for awhile (check and check).
In order to maintain our warranty, we are required to take the car to a dealer. This is incredibly easy to handle in the United States, but Europe isn't exactly crawling with Dodge dealers. In fact, people literally stop on the street to stare at our apparently alien looking car.
Fortunately for us, there is a Dodge dealer in Schinnen. So, that's where I went today. The people there were very friendly, but I was in a lousy mood. We were experiencing snowfall and serious wind just when I was trying to get the stroller into the non-stroller friendly stair/doorway scenario they have going on, all while trying to keep my little angel asleep after we had already gone to stroller fitness and done errands for the day. Please keep sleeping, please keep sleeping.
So, typical long wait, screaming tantrum American baby, and they finally tell me very pleasantly that the car is ready! And, I go on up to the counter to find that I owe them 233 euros! That's about $360. For what was basically an oil change, tire rotation, and a washer fluid fill-up.
Is it that expensive in the United States, or is this just crazy European price gouging?? I expected the oil to be expensive, but honestly.
I was dreading the possibility of sitting there for a couple of hours with Jackson (check, it happened) and the temper tantrum that would come from being there for awhile (check and check).
In order to maintain our warranty, we are required to take the car to a dealer. This is incredibly easy to handle in the United States, but Europe isn't exactly crawling with Dodge dealers. In fact, people literally stop on the street to stare at our apparently alien looking car.
Fortunately for us, there is a Dodge dealer in Schinnen. So, that's where I went today. The people there were very friendly, but I was in a lousy mood. We were experiencing snowfall and serious wind just when I was trying to get the stroller into the non-stroller friendly stair/doorway scenario they have going on, all while trying to keep my little angel asleep after we had already gone to stroller fitness and done errands for the day. Please keep sleeping, please keep sleeping.
So, typical long wait, screaming tantrum American baby, and they finally tell me very pleasantly that the car is ready! And, I go on up to the counter to find that I owe them 233 euros! That's about $360. For what was basically an oil change, tire rotation, and a washer fluid fill-up.
Is it that expensive in the United States, or is this just crazy European price gouging?? I expected the oil to be expensive, but honestly.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Name Dropper
Have I ever told you that I am a name dropper? Well, I am. And, I'm writing this blog post specifically for my mother. She is going to be really jealous that I hung out with...
ELKE this weekend. And, FRAU ANNA. In RAMSTEIN.
We decided that there were a few things that we needed that we are not able to get where we live. Just as an example, a humidifier or vaporizer for our congested son. So, we thought that we would take the opportunity to travel to Ramstein for a little BX shopping trip.
Ramstein is the largest American air base in Europe. And, truly, the whole area is Little America. So, we Americans tend to enjoy a little trip to Ramstein to experience the comforts of home (well, as close as they can get to home). As I know I've said before, when I was growing up my family was stationed there for three years, so in a lot of ways a trip there is like a trip down memory lane.
Typically, a visit to Ramstein includes but is not limited to:
1. Staying at Hotel Anna, formerly the Gruner Woog, where my family stayed in 1988 when we moved to Ramstein and were waiting for our house. I love staying there, because the same woman still runs it (Frau Anna), and she is incredibly wonderful; the breakfast is fantastic and reminds me of my childhood; and the room is only 60 euros for the night. Frau Anna is actually Italian, and as we lived in Italy, that is familiar too. In typical Italian style, we called Anna once we got into town, and she told us to just walk into the hotel and take the key for room 104. She wasn't there. She would just see us at breakfast the next morning. Domani.
2. Driving by the house my family lived in for three years, which is conveniently in the neighborhood across from Hotel Anna.
3. Pointing out all the things that are the same about our village and the things that have changed. At this point, Chris knows what I am about to say, since I have already mentioned these things a million times.
4. Driving by my school and every other building on base, so that I can do the same thing as in number 3.
5. Going to the new BX and eating at Macaroni Grill. It used to be Chili's, but now we have a big choice to make.
So, I decided to add a big activity on a whim. I saw the sign for Elke's Antiques, and knew I just had to stop. Elke's was a family favorite when we lived in Ramstein twenty years ago.
My mother was a big antique shopper. I really don't know how else to describe it other than inspirational. She and her friends were notorious for their shopping skills, and they always took the opportunity to share WIT tips with us young girls (Women In Training). Often, these WIT tips involved important lessons on hiding ENTIRE china sets in my closet so that my dad didn't know we had them. If caught, I knew to say that they belonged to Miss Jane and that we were hiding them for her. I'm really partially kidding. I was actually told this, but I know my mother wouldn't lie to my dad about her purchases. She just hoped he didn't find out about them for a long time.
Probably the piece de resistance was the time my mother bought an antique grandfather clock from Elke's and had it delivered to coincide with our moving van so that she could sneak it into our household goods shipment back to the States before my dad could find out. He messed up the plan by showing up at an inopportune moment, and ordered Elke's to take it back.
But, some of my favorite things of my mother's are from Elke's, and I just wanted to see what they had in their store.
So, when we showed up, we were greeted by Elke, her husband, and her son, Matthias, who appears to be running the show now. I immediately dropped my mom's name, her friend Mary's name (Mary was a really, really big shopper too), and told them the grandfather clock story to jog their memories. They instantly started talking to each other in really fast, excited German. YES! They knew who I was talking about!
We were enveloped into the family that day. Matthias took us into their warehouse to give us a crash course on the business and show us all of their amazing antiques. My husband is actually considering allowing me to purchase something, knowing that we will somehow have to find a way to get it to Geilenkirchen. I had such a blast.
The drive back home today was gorgeous. We had a big snowfall on Saturday throughout Germany, and the trees and fields looked spectacular. It was the most picturesque winter landscape I think I've seen in a long time. We drove through the Mosel region, and the hills and vineyards were just breathtaking covered in snow. Did I have my camera to show you a picture? No, of course not.
But, I did get to see Elke. And, Anna. That was for you, Mom.
ELKE this weekend. And, FRAU ANNA. In RAMSTEIN.
We decided that there were a few things that we needed that we are not able to get where we live. Just as an example, a humidifier or vaporizer for our congested son. So, we thought that we would take the opportunity to travel to Ramstein for a little BX shopping trip.
Ramstein is the largest American air base in Europe. And, truly, the whole area is Little America. So, we Americans tend to enjoy a little trip to Ramstein to experience the comforts of home (well, as close as they can get to home). As I know I've said before, when I was growing up my family was stationed there for three years, so in a lot of ways a trip there is like a trip down memory lane.
Typically, a visit to Ramstein includes but is not limited to:
1. Staying at Hotel Anna, formerly the Gruner Woog, where my family stayed in 1988 when we moved to Ramstein and were waiting for our house. I love staying there, because the same woman still runs it (Frau Anna), and she is incredibly wonderful; the breakfast is fantastic and reminds me of my childhood; and the room is only 60 euros for the night. Frau Anna is actually Italian, and as we lived in Italy, that is familiar too. In typical Italian style, we called Anna once we got into town, and she told us to just walk into the hotel and take the key for room 104. She wasn't there. She would just see us at breakfast the next morning. Domani.
2. Driving by the house my family lived in for three years, which is conveniently in the neighborhood across from Hotel Anna.
3. Pointing out all the things that are the same about our village and the things that have changed. At this point, Chris knows what I am about to say, since I have already mentioned these things a million times.
4. Driving by my school and every other building on base, so that I can do the same thing as in number 3.
5. Going to the new BX and eating at Macaroni Grill. It used to be Chili's, but now we have a big choice to make.
So, I decided to add a big activity on a whim. I saw the sign for Elke's Antiques, and knew I just had to stop. Elke's was a family favorite when we lived in Ramstein twenty years ago.
My mother was a big antique shopper. I really don't know how else to describe it other than inspirational. She and her friends were notorious for their shopping skills, and they always took the opportunity to share WIT tips with us young girls (Women In Training). Often, these WIT tips involved important lessons on hiding ENTIRE china sets in my closet so that my dad didn't know we had them. If caught, I knew to say that they belonged to Miss Jane and that we were hiding them for her. I'm really partially kidding. I was actually told this, but I know my mother wouldn't lie to my dad about her purchases. She just hoped he didn't find out about them for a long time.
Probably the piece de resistance was the time my mother bought an antique grandfather clock from Elke's and had it delivered to coincide with our moving van so that she could sneak it into our household goods shipment back to the States before my dad could find out. He messed up the plan by showing up at an inopportune moment, and ordered Elke's to take it back.
But, some of my favorite things of my mother's are from Elke's, and I just wanted to see what they had in their store.
So, when we showed up, we were greeted by Elke, her husband, and her son, Matthias, who appears to be running the show now. I immediately dropped my mom's name, her friend Mary's name (Mary was a really, really big shopper too), and told them the grandfather clock story to jog their memories. They instantly started talking to each other in really fast, excited German. YES! They knew who I was talking about!
We were enveloped into the family that day. Matthias took us into their warehouse to give us a crash course on the business and show us all of their amazing antiques. My husband is actually considering allowing me to purchase something, knowing that we will somehow have to find a way to get it to Geilenkirchen. I had such a blast.
The drive back home today was gorgeous. We had a big snowfall on Saturday throughout Germany, and the trees and fields looked spectacular. It was the most picturesque winter landscape I think I've seen in a long time. We drove through the Mosel region, and the hills and vineyards were just breathtaking covered in snow. Did I have my camera to show you a picture? No, of course not.
But, I did get to see Elke. And, Anna. That was for you, Mom.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
It's a Date
The sun is out today! So, I packed up my baby and decided that he and I would have a lunch date today. And, it was a great day!
I have to say, we have had a rough week as far as sleep is concerned. Jackson has had a stuffy nose, which means that we have had a serious lack of rest. But, I was not going to be deterred in going out and enjoying the day.
I told you last week that we went to the Sittard market for the first time. Since it was market day again, I decided to try braving the parking and navigating all alone, just because I'm that daring (and I have a GPS).
Not only did I get to Sittard an entirely new way without my GPS, I found an incredible parking lot. A parking lot surrounded by totally new shops to explore and very close to the market.
Being that it was lunchtime, and Jackson was getting hungry, I headed straight for Bagels and Beans, which is the best bagel and coffee shop ever (and, mind you, I love Starbucks). I had a wonderful lunch, and so did Jackson. Who wouldn't love carrots and apples/blueberries for lunch in all their pureed glory?
I was so proud of myself by the time we left. We had managed not to make a huge mess, Jackson really didn't make a scene, and he had admirers smiling at him the entire time.
I had some time to get some things in the market, and then I headed back to the shopping area near the car. Wow! First of all, I am thrilled to announce that it is officially time to start buying tulips. And, the fact that we live near Holland means that they are starting to emerge everywhere. I was so bummed that I didn't have my camera with me.
We went to a florist shop so that I could admire the tulips, and I ended up buying a pretty winter wreath for our front door, and a Carnival clown. Yes, a Carnival clown. They had a great display, and I am such a sucker for those. I am every marketing and merchandising person's dream consumer.
Well, since I did not have my camera, I took a picture of the beautiful bouquet of flowers that my husband brought home for me last night. I have a great husband who, from the beginning of our relationship, figured out that I melt when he brings me tulips. They are my favorite. So, I got some beautiful white tulips and pink roses last night, just because he loves me. He's the best! Enjoy.
I have to say, we have had a rough week as far as sleep is concerned. Jackson has had a stuffy nose, which means that we have had a serious lack of rest. But, I was not going to be deterred in going out and enjoying the day.
I told you last week that we went to the Sittard market for the first time. Since it was market day again, I decided to try braving the parking and navigating all alone, just because I'm that daring (and I have a GPS).
Not only did I get to Sittard an entirely new way without my GPS, I found an incredible parking lot. A parking lot surrounded by totally new shops to explore and very close to the market.
Being that it was lunchtime, and Jackson was getting hungry, I headed straight for Bagels and Beans, which is the best bagel and coffee shop ever (and, mind you, I love Starbucks). I had a wonderful lunch, and so did Jackson. Who wouldn't love carrots and apples/blueberries for lunch in all their pureed glory?
I was so proud of myself by the time we left. We had managed not to make a huge mess, Jackson really didn't make a scene, and he had admirers smiling at him the entire time.
I had some time to get some things in the market, and then I headed back to the shopping area near the car. Wow! First of all, I am thrilled to announce that it is officially time to start buying tulips. And, the fact that we live near Holland means that they are starting to emerge everywhere. I was so bummed that I didn't have my camera with me.
We went to a florist shop so that I could admire the tulips, and I ended up buying a pretty winter wreath for our front door, and a Carnival clown. Yes, a Carnival clown. They had a great display, and I am such a sucker for those. I am every marketing and merchandising person's dream consumer.
Well, since I did not have my camera, I took a picture of the beautiful bouquet of flowers that my husband brought home for me last night. I have a great husband who, from the beginning of our relationship, figured out that I melt when he brings me tulips. They are my favorite. So, I got some beautiful white tulips and pink roses last night, just because he loves me. He's the best! Enjoy.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Maastricht
Today we went to a really cool city only a half-hour away from us called Maastricht in the Netherlands. You may recognize it as the city where d'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers lost his life. Oh, you never read it either?
For several months now, I have been annoying the heck out of Chris, because every time I see a sign for Maastricht I say, "Do you know what happened in Maastricht?" I have him trained now. The correct answer involves the signing of the Maastricht Treaty which was a major treaty establishing all the political entities of the European Union. Wow, you might be thinking, who really cares?
Well, my Master's thesis was on European Union security policy and drew heavily on the Maastricht Treaty. As I will never probably use this information professionally, my husband is doomed to listen to my ramblings on this kind of boring academic nonsense. So, I think he was relieved that we finally visited this sacred place.
Anyways, it was a fantastic city on the Maas River. We got a fantastic parking spot, and decided to find a spot for lunch first. We started looking in the picturesque Vrijthof square, but in cafe after cafe and restaurant after restaurant, we started to realize that this was going to be more difficult than we thought. We were not finding a stroller/baby-friendly place to sit.
So, we started walking. I will say that this is not unique to this particular city. I am so envious of people who have children in the United States. How exciting it must be to encounter doors that are automatic, not to mention big enough for a stroller; high chairs; changing tables in the restrooms. Must be nice.
Anyways, our walk took us through an extensive shopping area and over the St. Servatius Bridge, which dates to the year 1289. We found a chocolatier that catered to Ronald Reagan's chocolate needs and another fun candy store that was decked out for Carnival. I bought some colorful marshmallow Carnival clowns for some lucky kids I know. Check out the chocolate Carnival masks:
At a certain point, we really needed to find a spot to park Jackson so we could feed and change him. And, we did something that we would normally never do. We stopped at a McDonald's in the Markt square. Sigh. My thought was that they would have high chairs and changing tables in the bathrooms. It's McDonald's. But, no, I was wrong on both counts. They did actually have space for the stroller, though.
And, get this. This made it worth it. They had STROOPWAFFEL McFLURRIES. For those of you who know and love stroopwaffels like we do: I KNOW!!
So, anyways, I digress. We also found this really amazing baby and children's boutique right on the riverfront. It was so fun! They had so many wonderful things to buy for baby gifts. I found some really great hooded towels with this fun fabric of traditional Dutch scenes. Sounds weird, but really cute. I used to buy people Venetian lace booties for baby gifts, but now I think I have another fun, local European gift for people back home.
And, if that wasn't enough, we found an awesome store called Oil & Vinegar that sold all kinds of great culinary finds from the Mediterranean. There were some beautiful olive wood bowl sets, gorgeous servingware, Italian wines, Italian and Greek food products, and much more. This would be an awesome place to buy gifts for people.
We walked back to Vrijthof to see the big tourist attractions. There are two really beautiful cathedrals, one Catholic (St. Servatius) dating to 1000, and the other a Dutch Reformed Protestant church right next door (St. John) that is 14th century (Protestant since 1600s). Here is a picture. The red bell tower belongs to St. John's, and the cathedral to the right is St. Servatius.
We had a lovely time in Maastricht, and can't wait for a return visit! We would just love to find a good restaurant where you can have a stroller with you.
For several months now, I have been annoying the heck out of Chris, because every time I see a sign for Maastricht I say, "Do you know what happened in Maastricht?" I have him trained now. The correct answer involves the signing of the Maastricht Treaty which was a major treaty establishing all the political entities of the European Union. Wow, you might be thinking, who really cares?
Well, my Master's thesis was on European Union security policy and drew heavily on the Maastricht Treaty. As I will never probably use this information professionally, my husband is doomed to listen to my ramblings on this kind of boring academic nonsense. So, I think he was relieved that we finally visited this sacred place.
Anyways, it was a fantastic city on the Maas River. We got a fantastic parking spot, and decided to find a spot for lunch first. We started looking in the picturesque Vrijthof square, but in cafe after cafe and restaurant after restaurant, we started to realize that this was going to be more difficult than we thought. We were not finding a stroller/baby-friendly place to sit.
So, we started walking. I will say that this is not unique to this particular city. I am so envious of people who have children in the United States. How exciting it must be to encounter doors that are automatic, not to mention big enough for a stroller; high chairs; changing tables in the restrooms. Must be nice.
Anyways, our walk took us through an extensive shopping area and over the St. Servatius Bridge, which dates to the year 1289. We found a chocolatier that catered to Ronald Reagan's chocolate needs and another fun candy store that was decked out for Carnival. I bought some colorful marshmallow Carnival clowns for some lucky kids I know. Check out the chocolate Carnival masks:
At a certain point, we really needed to find a spot to park Jackson so we could feed and change him. And, we did something that we would normally never do. We stopped at a McDonald's in the Markt square. Sigh. My thought was that they would have high chairs and changing tables in the bathrooms. It's McDonald's. But, no, I was wrong on both counts. They did actually have space for the stroller, though.
And, get this. This made it worth it. They had STROOPWAFFEL McFLURRIES. For those of you who know and love stroopwaffels like we do: I KNOW!!
So, anyways, I digress. We also found this really amazing baby and children's boutique right on the riverfront. It was so fun! They had so many wonderful things to buy for baby gifts. I found some really great hooded towels with this fun fabric of traditional Dutch scenes. Sounds weird, but really cute. I used to buy people Venetian lace booties for baby gifts, but now I think I have another fun, local European gift for people back home.
And, if that wasn't enough, we found an awesome store called Oil & Vinegar that sold all kinds of great culinary finds from the Mediterranean. There were some beautiful olive wood bowl sets, gorgeous servingware, Italian wines, Italian and Greek food products, and much more. This would be an awesome place to buy gifts for people.
We walked back to Vrijthof to see the big tourist attractions. There are two really beautiful cathedrals, one Catholic (St. Servatius) dating to 1000, and the other a Dutch Reformed Protestant church right next door (St. John) that is 14th century (Protestant since 1600s). Here is a picture. The red bell tower belongs to St. John's, and the cathedral to the right is St. Servatius.
We had a lovely time in Maastricht, and can't wait for a return visit! We would just love to find a good restaurant where you can have a stroller with you.
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