Dag 38: Welkom op Autumn!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011: Maastricht, Netherlands

One of my housemates made a comment to me this morning, "It's finally summer in the Netherlands!". While this statement seems out of place, considering October is three days away, she was pretty much right.

Since I have arrived in Maastricht, I've seen the range of weather. Cold and rainy, hot hot, rainy yucky, etc. However, for the past week or week and a half, the weather has been gorgeous!

Now I don't want to bore by rambling on about the weather. Yes, that's busy chatter. But really, its been amazing here. I am trying to appreciate every moment of this loveliness, as I know the winter is coming soon (knock on wood!). Today I chose to do so by packing my fleece blanket, hopping on my bike and cycling to the city center. I enjoyed a cold icecream as I walked in my sleeveless dress (no coat!) to the perfect sunny spot to lay out for the afternoon and read.

As I walked to the spot where I would rest for the afternoon, I noticed that the leaves have begun to change color. Hints of orange, brown and red poke out of the trees. Some are completely colored already! I had to take a few snapshots to capture this. Fall is my favorite season. I am determined to enjoy the bit of fall there is in the Netherlands. I have been incredibly sad lately thinking about the pumpkin spice lattes I am missing at Starbucks and the seasonal pumpkin beer on tap at the Brickstore. I guess being in Europe for five months will have to compensate for the lack of pumpkin-flavored goodies.

On another tanget, my roomate Fiep introduced me to something yummy that tastes like Fall (even though it is intended for the Dutch Sinterklaas celebration in December). Chocolade kruidnoten are pure yumminess! They are small chocolate, Dutch candies fill with a crunchy center that tastes of nutmeg and cinnamon! I love them.

In conclusion, Fall is here! And I intend to love every minute of it :)