Maastricht is the oldest city in The Netherlands. They have different market just about every day of the week there. Every Saturday, they have the antique/thrift market on the main road in front of the train station. Mom has to head back to the states in a few days, so we decided to head over there and show her around.
They also have lots of interesting statues. This guy was very entertaining. Apparently they have pretty brutal winds in this part of The Netherlands.
Mom and I did the tourist bit, and took some pictures in front of beautiful buildings like the Town Hall. 
Russ and the kids spent their time cracking goofy jokes. To each his own. (I just can't take the people anywhere, can I? Don't they understand that touristing is serious business?)
Apparently they were having a big Petanque tournament in the main square today. It was pretty interesting to watch.
The whole square was covered with gravel and marked off into lanes.
Mom, Brandon and I left Russ and Jess to watch the games, while we walked over to St. Janskerk. It's the red steepled church just off of the square. St. Janskerk (St. John's Church) was built around 1200, and we were going there on a mission. The last time I came here, the family and I climbed over 300 steps in a tiny spiral staircase to the top of the tower. Mom wanted to give it a shot. She's one brave and determined woman.
St. Johns Church is also right beside St. Servaas Basiliek, whose original structure dates back to 550. We admired it on our way through.
Actually, it didn't take us very long at all, and we were at the top of the church. You get a great view of the games from up here, too. And if you look very closely...
You'll see the lazy people who didn't brave the staircase to the top. OK, maybe not lazy, but definitely not as adventurous as we were. 
Even in bad weather, the view from the top is spectacular.
You even get a close up view of the clock. Very cool.
It was starting to rain again, so after a quick lunch at the American Embassy (McDonald's), we went back to the train station and over to where our van was parked. Just another day is magical Maastricht.
Actually, it didn't take us very long at all, and we were at the top of the church. You get a great view of the games from up here, too. And if you look very closely...You'll see the lazy people who didn't brave the staircase to the top. OK, maybe not lazy, but definitely not as adventurous as we were. Even in bad weather, the view from the top is spectacular.
You even get a close up view of the clock. Very cool.
It was starting to rain again, so after a quick lunch at the American Embassy (McDonald's), we went back to the train station and over to where our van was parked. Just another day is magical Maastricht. 
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