Look who showed up in Maastricht!

Hey everyone!

Well I had a great week. Mom made the trip out here to Maastricht. She arrived last Saturday and stayed with family in Brussels. On sunday morning mom took the train up to Maastricht and I met her at the train station. We spent the rest of the day exploring Maastricht, getting mom set up in her B&B. I still had classes last week so I wasn't able to hang out with mom 24/7 but on monday mom and I had a nice breakfast before class. After class we met up and explored the Maastricht Christmas market and went out to a nice dinner. I even took mom to watch the Swans game at the local pub. Her treat! On tuesday mom and I took the train 25min to the town of Vaulkenberg to see their Christmas market. It seemed like a really cool idea because the market was in the caves. When we got there we realized it was basically a tourist trap. None the less we enjoyed some brauts and had fun. I had to leave mom early on tuesday because I had to study for my Dutch Art history final.

On Wednesday I had to take my final. Afterwards I met up with mom and we took a few of my friends out to a really nice dinner. On thursday Mom and I spent time in the Maastricht museum, took a walk to the local fort, went on the ferris wheel and went out to an italian dinner. On friday we got an early start. We caught the bus over to Aachen, Germany to see the christmas market and Charlemagne's church. It was a great day. Unfortunately mom had to leave friday night and stay in Brussels in order to catch her flight saturday morning. It was a great week! It was good to see mom and show her the sights!

Sorry for the lame post, I am writing this on my break from studying for my comparative government final.

I have one more final and one more paper and then I am home free. Wish me luck!

Here are some pics from the week:

Mom waiting for the train

Selfies at the museum 

From the walk to the fort

Mom enjoying the cold on the ferris wheel 

Aachen

Gluhwein 

More Gluhwein

Even more Gluhwein!

Something that I ate.

A Dutch Thanksgiving

I know that I am a week late, but better late than never.

While it was sad not to be with my family and loved ones on Thanksgiving, I made due. I introduced my European friends to this wonderful American tradition.

Sarah and I decided that we would take charge and we delegated a dish to everyone.

After a few days of logistics and shopping we had everything we need.

Unfortunately Turkeys are extinct or something, so we had to settle for a chicken. But hey, gotta work with what you have. The menu consisted of mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes (which ended up green, don't ask me why) with marshmallow, Green bean dish things, stuffing, Chicken, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie and of course, wine. 

My buddy Jack was nice enough to let us use his kitchen to cook. It was a little difficult because the oven was tiny. We made due. 

Mini oven

Making stuffing

these are bananas 

Jimmy the post-op turkey

yum

Cookin'

Carving Jimmy

Happy Family

Someone was excited to be American for a night

Anyways, it was great to be able to enjoy a thanksgiving with such amazing people. I am really thankful for the opportunities I have had here in Maastricht. I only have 2 weeks left and that makes me really sad, but hey, Mom is coming for a visit on Sunday!!! WOOHOO!! 

I hope everyone is well and I miss you all,

Ben