Guide to public transport in the Netherlands
May 24, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
The Netherlands has a reasonably good public transport system, but changes to the way you pay are underway. Expatica Netherlands has compiled a basic guide to tickets, trains, buses, trams and taxis.
Go to full guide in Expatica Netherlands.
Culture, Leisure, Travel: Saddlebags and Stroopwafels: a five-day bicycle ride through the Netherlands
May 16, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
I find it curious that when people travel, they seldom choose a domestic destination. They go as far afield as possible, even when the possibilities offered by their own country are limitless. My strong desire to play devil’s advocate is tempered, however, by the fact that I’ve observed this peculiar tendency in myself. I decided to spend my third year of university in Paris instead of Toronto. In France, the first place I went was Tuscany. And at Easter, when I could have gone anywhere in France, I grabbed my bike and caught a train to Maastricht. Under such circumstances, it is best to bite one’s tongue.
Truth be told, I’d been thinking of visiting the Netherlands for a while. [continued...]
Dutch grave caretaker tracks down GI’s son
May 8, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Jerry W. Shauver, who lost his father in World War II, tells how he recently was reconnected with the Dutch family that has cared for his father’s grave for decades.
My father, Melvin Shauver Jr., who served with the U.S. Army’s 26th Infantry Regiment, was killed in action during World War II on March 18, [...]
New Rembrandt film planned
May 2, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
British actor Martin Freeman will play Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn in “Nightwatching,” a film being shot in Amsterdam, it was reported Monday.
Peter Greenaway is directing for his longtime collaborator, Dutch producer Kees Kasander, The Hollywood Reporter said.
Shooting is expected to start next month on the film about the creation of Rembrandt’s painting, “The Nightwatch,” [...]
27-28 May: US Memorial Day ceremonies in Belgium
May 1, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Each year during the last weekend of May, the U.S. remembers its war dead with Memorial Day ceremonies both at home and abroad.
In Belgium, where more than 14,000 American soldiers and aircrew are buried, public ceremonies in their honour will take place at the Ardennes Military Cemetery and the Henri-Chapelle Military Cemetery (both in [...]
6 May: Open Day at the European Institutions and large festival
May 1, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
The European institutions - European Parliament, Council of the EU, European Commission, Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee - open their doors every year to celebrate the signing of the declaration that launched what has now become the European Union more than 50 years ago.
A wide range of activities [...]
29 May: Euroregional Conference on cultural ticketing and marketing
May 1, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
On Monday, May 29 there will be a major conference at Government House in Maastricht on how to market cultural activities in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion and how to achieve optimal cooperation.
Adjiedj Bakas, a trend watcher and author of Megatrends Europe, will chair the event, while Ivan Wadeson, director of Arts About Manchester, and Michiel Buchel, [...]
4-5 May: Remembrance Day and Liberation Day in the Netherlands
May 1, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
The Netherlands has its own way of commemorating the Second World War and celebrating the country’s liberation from five years of occupation. Unlike most countries, the Netherlands sets aside two days to mark these events. The first is a day of solemn commemoration; the second a day of public rejoicing with the young at the [...]
29 April: Queen of the flea market
April 27, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Most countries with royalty celebrate their monarch’s birthday with pomp and ceremony. The Dutch, in contrast, hold a giant open-air market.
International visitors arriving in the Netherlands on Koninginnedag often feel as if they have taken a wrong turn and ended up at a riotous Middle Eastern souk or bazaar.
Every inch of the pavement in [...]
Expats launch 2nd cultural website
April 27, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Amsterdam-based expats have launched a new website to showcase the cultural offers of both the Dutch and US capitals.
“Washingtonamsterdam.com brings together two of the most influential art centres of the world, Washington and Amsterdam,” US expat Sean Valerio said on Thursday. The site is in both English and Dutch to cater for a wide variety [...]
13 May: A Dummy’s Guide to Cricket
April 26, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Usually it takes more than just a common language to bring expats together on foreign soil. If you happen to be a cricket lover in German or Belgian Euregio, or living nearby in the Dutch province of Zuid Limburg, and you’re missing the company of other native speakers, you’re in luck.
Since 2003 the Heerlen [...]
New tourist guides to Belgian Limburg
April 17, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
The Belgian Province of Limburg has brought out two new tourist guides. One covers the Hesbaye region and has 122 pages of information about castles, orchards and accommodation in this beautiful rural area. The other guide, 110 pages long, covers the former mining region. Don’t forget, Belgian Limburg also offers a bad weather guarantee, which [...]
Leisure: Why not run in Maastricht?
February 22, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Loe Gossieau belongs to a group of enthusiastic runners who gathers three times a week on a track off a small historical hill overlooking Maastricht. Loe, who works for the local government, usually runs a circuit of about 15 kilometres Saint Peter’s Mount (St.Pietersberg in Dutch), on a natural area covered with grass and trees and inhabited by a number of horses and small flocks of sheep.
[continued...]
Culture: Maastricht Carnival song 2006: “Mie Fietske” English translation
February 12, 2006 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Maastricht Carnival song 2006: My bike
Refrain:
What a misery, such a bad luck
My brand new bike is gone
It wasn’t nicked, it wasn’t stolen
But the municipality has taken my bike away
Is that good? Is that nice?
What am I to do without a bike?
Oh dear, I have such grief
Can someone tell me where my bicycle is?
[continued...]
The Mystery of Sinterklaas
December 5, 2005 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Sinterklaas? The name may sound familiar but Sinterklaas is actually quite different from the commercial and jolly fat Santa Claus we all know. According to various internet sources[2] Sinterklaas might be related to Bishop Nicholas from Myra (in today’s Turkey), who originally lived in the fourth century. He was well known for his kindness, good heart and modesty and was later on proclaimed a saint. [continued...]
Adopt a grave in Margraten
April 17, 2005 by Sueli · 3 Comments
The American Cemetery in Margraten, near Maastricht, is not quite like any other American cemetery in Europe: it is the only one where the fallen soldiers’ graves have been adopted by local inhabitants.
The adoption programme started in 1946 and the more than 18,000 American graves at the time were soon adopted on a voluntary basis by Dutch families, who committed themselves to maintaining the graves well, adorning them regularly with fresh flowers, and to keeping in touch whenever possible with the soldiers’ relatives in the United States.
One such caretaker is Rick Mommers, a 19-year-old highschool student from Voerendaal. [continued...]
Famous in Maastricht
April 17, 2005 by Sueli · 4 Comments
Celebrities can also be found outside of Hollywood, which is proven by the city of Maastricht.
Over the centuries it has attracted poets, generals and world leaders. Some came through for a quick visit, others lived within the city walls and a few famous but unfortunate visitors never left….
Crossroads has listed the most famous and illustrious ones from past and present.
[continued...]
Not all roads lead to Maastricht: The problems and solutions of travelling
December 16, 2004 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
An old saying claims that “all roads lead to Rome”. But while the city of Maastricht prides itself on being a true European city, certainly not all roads lead to it. Travellers and commuters trying to reach a foreign city often find themselves stuck in traffic or waiting endlessly at a train station. The local [...]
History lives in the Maas Valley
December 16, 2004 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Despite being a powerful politician, a warrior and a governor of Maastricht, Baron van Dopff (1650-1718) is best remembered as the creator of the splendid terrace gardens of Chateau Neercanne, which were planned as a fairground for van Dopff’s important guests, such as the Russian Tzar, Peter the Great.
A great admirer of the Low [...]
Media history alive in Aachen
June 16, 2004 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
The International Newspaper Museum in Aachen displays a permanent exhibition of periodicals and newsletters in the heart of the German town since May 1931.
Fueled by the private collection of Oscar von Forckenbeck which it inherited in 1886, today the House Rupenstein owns a collection of more than 160,000 papers as well as a library of [...]
Wining and dining in Maastricht: from hotchpotch zoervleis to refined French cuisine
June 16, 2004 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Since it gave its name to the Treaty of Maastricht, this southern city is considered to be the most European place in the Netherlands. But not only at the conference table do countries meet here. You can get a taste of Europe at the dinner table as well, in one of the many restaurants and [...]
Student associations under threat
December 16, 2003 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
Maastricht student organisations and associations are worried about their future growth. While the number of organisations is increasing every year, the number of members is staying the same, or with only a slight increase.
Some organisations have even reported a decrease in membership. Organisations cite the primary reason for the decline as the implementation of [...]
Going underground: Excavations in Maastricht have unlocked the key to its colourful past
October 17, 2003 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
The Vrijthof has finally been completed after months of work to rebuild the underground car park. But people may not have noticed another historical project taking lace at the site last spring.
An archaeological excavation team from the Amsterdam University carried out a three-week dig in March and April as part of the Saint Servatius project, [...]
Vowing to learn the language
July 16, 2003 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
An indecipherable phrasebook, wild hand gestures and blank stares from the locals are not an uncommon experience for people visiting another country - which is why Maastricht can seem a language paradise for foreign workers.
Go to any restaurant, hotel or shop, or simply ask someone directions in the street and you’re likely to have [...]
Madness in Mestreech: a Carnival lexicon
March 12, 2003 by Sueli · Leave a Comment
The three-day annual festival of carnival is about to start, but its traditions may still be a bit of a mystery to foreigners. Here is a lexicon to understand one of Maastricht’s biggest events. [continued...]
