Descent into Dutch Darkness…

We timed leaving just right so our last day in Maastricht was the Autumn equinox. This way we get to skip the descent into darkness as the days rapidly grow shorter. We’ll be farther South soon so the change will be less extreme. 

After we returned our apartment keys, we set out on a mission to do Dutch things, specifically Maastricht things, which included eating fries with zuurvlees, drinking verse munt thee, and sitting in the sun. We also finally got to climb the viewing platform by the train station (it is only open when we are at work).

Viewing the construction by the train station. Of course they are building underground bicycle storage.

I’ve also already discovered the first thing I will miss about Europe: 24-time. As I was making appointments for next week, I found myself writing 8:00 am to 1:00 pm instead of 8:00 to 13:00. It was terribly unpleasant and opens up such opportunity for confusion if one is not fastidious about specifying am or pm. Hopefully I will readjust and survive this inconvenience! After all, I survived adjusting this direction, even if I did get confused and try to leave work at 15:00 a few times.

Moving Day

The movers showed up today and packed all of our stuff. We have way too much stuff. “I’m never moving again,” she told herself for the 8th time in as many years. 

Tomorrow they will pack it all in a container. Maybe then it will feel real. 

Going away party

This weekend we had a going away party with our friends in Maastricht. It included a bicycle ride to Belgium, cake, a barbeque, a piñata, and a geography quiz. I guess after nearly three years they know us pretty well!

Maastricht was kind to us and gave us the only blue skies in weeks for our ride.

They found the Dutchest photo of us on the internet to put on the cake. It was yummy!

Burritos in Maastricht

A second burrito restaurant has opened in Maastricht just in time for us to move away. At least it will be there for future homesick expats.

We have been there several times in the past few weeks, but we are still looking forward to eating tons of Mexican food in Portland. Just 11 days to go. 

Quick weekend in Hamburg

Nancy and I had a lovely short weekend trip to visit my grandmother in Hamburg. We had the customary seafood by the harbor and assorted wonderful food at home. We also had shockingly good weather:

Now we’re consumed with planning the rapidly approaching move to Portland.

-Hendrik