Brussels to Maastricht

Knew it was too good to last. I’ve succumbed to the dreaded cold. Felt the first signs after dinner last night and by morning I knew I had to find a chemist to buy something to dry my nose out.


It was time to meet up with the Americans. I’d almost had enough of being on my own in a strange city, anyway. Decided to get to the Gare du Nord by cab. The taxi driver waiting outside the Marriott Hotel tried to talk me into walking the distance – clearly he didn’t want to lose his spot in the queue for a miniscule amount of money. So he charged me 10 Euros which was exorbitant but which I didn’t think was too bad, actually, given that it was a long way to be wheeling my luggage over cobblestones.

At the Gare du Nord I met up with 17 students and 2 academic staff plus spouses. Most students had packed sensibly – a medium sized suitcase and a backpack, but one student had a suitcase that was enormous (should be a law against making them that size) and weighed 71 lbs (I think the airline allowance is 55 lbs and she said she had to pay an excess.) Was interested to see how she was going to cope getting on and off trains.

We took the train to Maastricht in 1.5 hours then walked for 10 minutes to the StayOkay, a hostel built on the banks of the Maast River. I was allocated a room with Julie (the large suitcase girl), Stephanie and Liz (who had yet to arrive after being given the wrong instructions for which train to take to get to the Gare du Nord in Brussels , and had ended up back in Paris.)

Maastricht is a beautiful city built around the Maast River in the Netherlands just inside the border from Belgium. Tall narrow buildings line the streets providing the authentic Dutch flavour to the town. I was invited by the staff to accompany them to the city centre for some lunch. Outdoor cafes and eating areas abounded and people everywhere were indulging in the cuisine of the area. Marsha (Dr Barlett’s wife) and I meandered through the town and she allowed me to check my email on her laptop at her hotel with free wifi . Pretty cool Hotel (Mabi) for only 99 euros a night. It provided complimentary everything and tasteful decor as well. Also found a shop to buy myself a new mini mouse (optical) as my other one conked out (10 euros).

A welcome session with the obligatory introduction speeches was scheduled for 5.30pm and each student talked a bit about themselves. Most students are in their early twenties with some slightly younger. It will take me a while to remember everyone’s name. Andrew is outgoing and looks like he might be a lot of fun. Sat with a group of girls at the bbq which followed and the conversation centred around them wanting to try smoking pot because it was legal in the Netherlands. It was interesting listening to them chatter away on topics I wouldn’t even waste my time on – it made me feel old though.

I was too tired to join the others on a walk into the city after dinner, and besides, my medication had worn off and my cold was re-surfacing. So I went back to my room and chilled out.

Am going to have a dilemma when it comes time to go travelling. Not sure I know where I want to go and who I want to go with. Found out that the Stayokay room is paid for right through, so I could stay put if I wanted to and enjoy Maastrich