(More) Framed Webcomic Art

I hope you’ll forgive me a moment of fan-girlness to share two new additions to my webcomic art collection. I actually picked both of these up a while ago, but only just now have gotten around to framing them. I encourage you to check out both of these comics. Lots of fun and each has an interesting and unique story.

Gunnerkrigg Court

Paradigm Shift

US TV Show “House Hunters” Looking for Expat Relocation Stories

I just saw this via Crossroads and thought I’d share for anyone may otherwise miss it.

House Hunters is a US TV show about families or individuals relocating a purchasing a house outside their own country. Apparently they’re looking for a contributor from the South Limburg region. Dan & I aren’t good candidates (we rent), but I’m sure someone out there is.  If you’re curious, swing by Crossroads for a few more details and contact information.

Places Around Maastricht: Comics Hunting

One of the (admittedly few) things Maastricht is really missing for me is a good comic book store (I’d like to have a Jo-Ann Fabrics too, but at least there is the Wednesday market for that). When I lived in Boston we had a nice one within walking distance, and the city as a whole has a respectable number, plus a zine library for the underground set. Here? Nothing. I’ve learned that there use to be one, but it was closed due to the economic downturn a few years back.

So what’s a comics enthusiast to do?

Brussels is packed with comic book shops, but honestly it’s too far away for us to do regular trips. Instead we only have a few options if we want to visit a physical store.

De Slegte

As I’ve mentioned before, De Slegte here in Maastricht is sort of our local replacement for a comic book shop. The availability is fairly eclectic, a good thing for me. And a bit old, which can be good or bad. Although they don’t have the “feel” of a comic shop, the mix of European and American titles is pretty good and we don’t mind getting the discount books occasionally.

Atomik Comics

Located in Sittard, which is mercifully not far by train, Atomik is a comic shop proper with a large selection of old and new material, plus board games, role-playing games, and even a computer gaming room. We’ve only been over once or twice, but its a nice space with lots of material to browse. They have a handful of recent American comics in addition to the regular Dutch ones and even a small selection of indie comics/zines. Unfortunately they are only open a few days a week during the summer.

Comics 2000

A recent Google search also turned up Comics 2000, which is apparently a shop in Valkenburg. They’re website indicates that you may have to “register?” to shop with them, but with a proportated large collection of comics, models, and other collectibles it might be worth a look. If anyone with better Dutch could clarify if that’s register for the online rather than the physical store, I’d love to know.

Do you know of any comic or hobby shops I’ve missed in the area?

Typically Limburgish: Responses

My Typical Limburg, Typical Dutch post generated a good deal of discussion and many people shared excellent ideas about what makes Limburg distinctive. For your consideration, here’s a list of what we came up with:

Geography

Geography is one thing that’s quite obvious if you’ve every hopped on a bike and explored any part of the Netherlands. Limburg is hilly compared to the rest of the Netherlands; hilly enough that I don’t like biking here without at least a three-speed. The region is also very close to Belgium, German, and (sort of) France and that proximity has had a huge influence on all the other things that make Limburg distinct from other parts of the Netherlands

Language

Lots of people commented on the language differences. Many communities in Limburg have preserved their own dialects and they are often so different that native Dutch speakers not from this region cannot understand the dialects. Frank (no website), who was born in Kerkrade referenced “above the river” as the point where the dialects become distinctly “Limburgse”. The various dialects are influenced by their proximity bordering countries, so may be influenced by German and French.

Invader_Stu also noted that the Dutch accent is different in Maastricht; the most notable difference being the softer ‘g’. Aledys Ver thinks it sounds “less flat” and a bit funny.

Religion

Specifically Catholicism, Judy explains that the Calvinist influences never quite made it south of “the rivers”, partially because the region wasn’t always part of Holland. In fact it was part of Beglium for a while, which is also a predominately Catholic area. You can read her much more detailed discussion of how Netherlands does not always equal Dutch. It’s well worth your time.

I’ve observed the influence of Catholicism on Maastricht as well. The architecture is filled with shines and biblical motifs, not to mention the large number of cathedrals and other religious buildings that have now been turn over to secular uses (notably the University has many formally Catholic church-owned buildings).

Attitude

Dave Hampton, an expat who use to live in Arnhem and now lives in Maastricht, feels that the city is more international (than Arnhem anyway), probably because of the University or it’s proximity to other countries. He feels that life here is less intense overall than up North; people laugh more easily and are more social. On the downside his experience has been that customer service is much slower and less attentive. There is a strong sense of history in the area, but, Dave observes, people in Limburg still identify strong as Dutch when faced with comparisons with other countries.

Judy attributes a local appreciation for fine clothing and good food (Maastricht is a popular shopping and dining area) to the area’s Catholic heritage.

Celebrations

Dave noticed that celebrations tend to be more colorful and noisier than those up North, although things like Queens Day and football are more casually observed.

I think that people in Maastricht just to love any excuse to dress up.

Food

I already knew that the foods can be quite different here, but Dave thinks the beer and chocolate is better thanks to the proximity to Belgium. Waffles (thanks Judy) are just one more notable influence (although Belgian waffles really do taste better in Belgium).

Melissa noted with glee that you can a slice of vlaai in Maastricht when invited for coffee instead of (only one) cookie.

Ultimately, as Judy notes, these differences are “small ‘taters” to the new expat who isn’t going to recognize differences in light of the greater differences between the Netherlands in general and their own culture. But it’s fun to explore what creates this strong sense of Limburg-ness and I, for one, have learned a lot. Thank you to everyone who commented

I suppose if I were to pick something arbitrarily to symbolize Limburg, it would probably a slice of vlaai and small coffee. Tastier to than wooden shoes anyway.

Do you agree? Disagree? Share your thought in the comments.

Fierljeppen: the Video Game?

The Maastricht region doesn’t have nearly the number of canals we see in the North, but a post at A Famingo in Utrecht caught my eye and just had to be mentioned. The xtreme sport in question is fierljeppen, or canal jumping with a pole. Alison give an exciting description of this unique sport, so be sure to check out her post.

Fierljeppen struck me as a sport that requires an incredible set of jumping and climbing skills, and one that ought to be use for the basis of some Wii-based casual game. Could you imagine “climbing” on the Wii-board while keeping your virtual pole straight as you vault over the water?  Totally weird, but totally fun. Nintendo, if you use the idea, you better be giving some royalties.

I wonder if it’s possible to try this out somewhere. It could be a lot of fun.

Go Read Xtreme Dutch Sport.

Image by uitdragerij via Flickr. Used under CC License.

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