Eijsden, The Netherlands

 Why did I wait so long? 

So many awesome classmates I never knew until 5 years ago. Chris is one of them. 

His youngest daughter was a track star near Hayward Field, so I was able to say hi many times out there. That is, when she wasn’t dialed in like a prize fighter. 

Chris is a university professor who took an offer to teach in Maastricht, so he and his lovely wife Mary Martha packed up and moved east. Not far from Paris, so a side trip was in order. 

Their peaceful home is as far south as you can go in the Netherlands, just a quiet and picturesque place. 

Chris likes his oats and cereal in the morning. I need to get me a dog dish like his! Seriously, this is what he uses….plenty of volume, quick cleanup, nothing better!

Mary Martha’s spice drawer has got it going on. 

In 1992, the Maastricht Treaty was signed in this plaza, signifying the start of the European Union. 

Lovely, walkable city of 100,000. 

Chris used to teach in this spectacular building with an interior courtyard used by plenty of students and faculty. 

A store that sells only peanut butter?!? Yes, please. 

Street food rarely disappoints. 

Kibberling?!? Cod cheeks…..I need an Amazon subscription for this stuff.

The American Cemetery just outside of town. The Dutch donated the land to honor 8,000 Americans who died in the region during WWII….This map is a history lesson in the war’s battles. 

The Meuse River at night…

Dinner was…..wow. 

A play on carbonara minus the pasta….and some chopped mushrooms hidden. 

Beef carpaccio with thai basil and egg yolk

Scallops with jerusalem artichoke and poulty jus. 

Chris and Mary Martha had sous vide duck breast with chanterelles and pumpkin

Mine was North Sea Ling Cod with tomato and parmesan

We were glad the portions were reasonably small, but nothing could prepare us for deconstructed carrot cake with citrus and caramel. 

My hosts received some lovely sardines from a friend….not being connosseurs themselves, they graciously offered the three pack to me!!! My man Ken has the right recipe: toasted bread with EVOO, salt, pepper, garlic, tomato, and the sardines on top. Excellent stuff!

What a great visit. Many thanks to my hosts for a perfect two days!

The City of Lights

Wow, I love Lyon. Need to come back soon, and I made the most of my last morning before heading north. 

A passenger on the tram commented that, like any city, there are good and bad things, to be sure. 

The sunrises are sure special. 

Had to make one more trip to Les Halles,  the nice market in town started by Chef Bocuse. And it’s a short walk to the central train station, so why not? 

A lot of culinary history in this photo. 

And a lot of mad genius in the many counters….

More of that Valencia paella goodness. 

TGV does trains right. I sprung for a first class seat and wished the ride was longer. Cost an extra ten bucks!

Arrive Paris and Gare De Lyon…..Somehow I stumbled thru several subway rides and found my latest flat. Not to mention the smallest elevator I’ve ever seen…probably 2’ by 4’. 

A nice balcony, too. 

Any train station that has engineering equations as graffiti is alright by me!

I’m already loving this city. 

The Basilica of Sacre Bleu, or something like that

In the words of Astronaut Dave Scott, who found some critical moon rock samples on Apollo 15: “I think we found what we came here for.”

One of my favorite meals…a salad with lettuce, chunks of bacon, chicken, a poached egg,  and perfectly cooked potato slices. 

The Place de la Concorde….of Tour de France fame. 

Speaking of bicycles…this is the Champs D’ Elyesses…the finish of the Tour. Been watching this race since 1989 and finally saw the course with my own eyes. Definitely a bucket list item!

Americans think we do charcuterie well….the French are several steps above. Chicken and pork pâté

And a patisserie on every corner. 

Last year, I saw the Rome Olympic Stadium from 1960 and was in heaven. So much track and field vibe; names in the ground tiles, statues at the warmup track. The Paris Olympics were 15 months ago and I could not find a single reference around what looked like an abandoned stadium. What a shame. 

Next door, the Aquatic Center had this signed literally zip tied to a column. How sad. 

At least the pool still had the rings up. 

That bad boy again….

Gorgeous shot above the city. 

Nothing says indigenous food like falafel in Paris. 

Sacha has a world class last name (and spelling). 

The Tour de France final day usually ends with 8 laps from the Louvre to the Arc d’ Triomphe, a 4 mile loop. 

From the north side….

Not sure Zoë would wear this… 

More ethnic food…shrimp risotto. Delicious…

Loved the flat here. 

And the neighborhood vibe. Heck the whole city…

Onward to the next stop.