Episode 17 of Maastricht Minutiae

Episode 17 is ready for your listening pleasure in this inter-holiday season. Click here to listen to Episode 17 or download it using your favorite podcatcher.

In Episode 17 we ramble through:

The new International Service Desk in Maastricht

My blog at Maastricht Region

The Christmas Market at the Velvet Caves in Valkenburg

Winterland in Maastricht

Potato pancakes, gluhwijn, and other tasty treats.

 
And we forgot to say it on the podcast but thank you to my parents for sending apple chips & almond rocca. Cheers!

Weekly Markets of Maastricht

One of the pleasures of living in the Netherlands is the prevalence of open air markets. Maastricht is no exception to this rule with not one, but four different options every week. More complete than the farmers’ market of Massachusetts, the markets here are more like a hybrid of flea and food markets with antiquing on Sundays. The main markets occur every week in Maastricht, but everyone should try to see all of them at least once.

Weekly Market: Wednesday, 8:00-13:00 at the Markt Square.

Wednesday mornings are a great time to stroll down to the Markt square and do your weekly fresh food shopping. Local farmers, bakers, and butchers set up shop on the square to sell you whatever is currently in season. The food is fresh and I have found the prices to be comparable or better than the prices that the grocery store. Once you’ve finished shopping for food, you can browse the wide variety of clothing and fabric dealers that also set up during this market. Sewers, this is your one-stop shop. Finally there are flower and plant dealers who will help you keep your organic decor up to date with the season.

Organic Market: Thursday, 13:00-15:00 at Wycker Burgstraat.

On Thursday you can find the small, but complete organic food market on Wycker Burgstraat which is the road between St. Servaas bridge and the the train station. There are a fruit and vegetable, a bread, and a cheese booth selling their wares. In November, the market was quite small, but it may be larger during the summer when more local organic foods are available.

Fish Market: Friday, 8:00-13:00 at Boschstraat/Markt Street.

Friday’s fish market is actually much the same as the weekly market on Wednesdays, but with a greater emphasis on seafood. The main seafood section of the market is on the Boschstraat side of Markt square and includes a wide range of herring, salmon, mussels, and more. I even saw a a few small lobsters. There are also more options for pre-cooked food and snacks at this market. The center of Markt square is dominated by fabric, clothing, produce, and flowers.

Antique & Flea Market: Saturday, 8:00-15:00 at Stationstraat.

This market always seems to be overfilled with people. Perhaps because it is squished into a narrow strip of land between the two sides of Stationstraat or maybe it’s because this street gets a lot of traffic. But if you brave the crowd you can find a wide variety of interesting antiques: everything from Dutch pottery to African emphemra to old cameras to books (Dutch and occasionally English).

Need more? You can also check out markets throughout the Netherlands at Hollandse Markten (Dutch & English language).

This article was written for Maastrichtregion.com and can be read in the “To Live” section.

Places Around Maastricht: La Papiers

La Papiers is an example of a small shop that has conformed to the odd spaces left by generations of architects and builders in old cities like Maastricht. Located along the river Maas, this small paper and stationary shop has taken up residence under a double staircase leading to the top of the old city wall. As you stroll by, the only thing you’re likely to notice is the small, unassuming sign atop a bright red door. But when the store is open, it is like looking into a surprising and magical space built under the wall.
 
Once inside the store you will find a small and eclectic stationery store. When I visited, the store had a variety of holiday decorations and cards in nostalgic and rustic designs. The store also carries large sheets of decorative paper that could be used for wrapping or paper crafts and a selection of stationary for all occasions. Handmade paper boxes and journals are also available. Finally the store has a selection of offbeat, attractive jewelry at the counter.
 
I’ve not actually made a purchase at La Papiers yet because I do not yet have a need for this sort of decorative paper and all the communication I do these days is by e-mail. Still I have a very special place in my heart for paper and all the ways it is used, so this shop is a small gem that appeals to my creative side. It is probably the sort of store I will visit if I am looking for a very specific type of paper for a project or to purchase a gift for another paper-lover.
 
(Open hours to come.)

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