Hello, friends, world travelers, and community greetings.
Before COVID-19, we were invited by our good friends Lou and Pia from the Netherlands. It was quite exciting for me to travel to another country for a festival that celebrated a different culture, nation, and atmosphere.
Pia was a very kind and wise lady who worked as a nurse in Norway. We felt like family together, which made it easy to travel to the Netherlands and stay with Lou and Pia in Maastricht.
To get there, we took a flight from Oslo to Sweden and then traveled through Germany to the Dutch border. Pia came to pick us up in her car, and it was an easy two-and-a-half-hour journey during the daytime.
As soon as we arrived at their house, the food was already on the table, waiting for us to refresh ourselves. Their hospitality made me feel so emotional; they reminded me of Indian warmth and generosity.
After we refreshed, we enjoyed a delicious lunch featuring various Dutch treats. After a bit of conversation and relaxation, Lou explained the processions that would take place on the main street.
As Lou explained about the pilgrimage procession,
The objects from the church's treasury are shown at Heiligdomsvaart ("relics pilgrimage") celebrations, a religious and historic event that takes place once in seven years and dates back to the Middle Ages. The reliquary busts shown here contain relics of the holy bishops of Maastricht and other saints. We felt very lucky to be able to enjoy that ceremony. It was not only cultural but also religious and historical, which was completely new to me. My husband might have known a bit about this kind of culture.
I was very impressed by what I learned about Maastricht. It has a rich history, culture, and tradition, and is home to many talented artists in music and painting. The Easter vacations were a delightful surprise for me!.
Lou and Pia lived in a spacious flat in the heart of the town, which was surrounded by commercial areas. They recalled that it used to be a very traditional and quiet neighborhood, filled with local shops and cafes. However, the area changed rapidly, as many branded companies opened their fancy showrooms, making the streets crowded.
Despite the changes, living in the center had its advantages. They enjoyed being able to walk to the parks,
And Lou could easily go fishing on his bicycle
Or visit the local markets.
They have compromised to stay in the same place, but most of the time they spend in nature, and their mindfulness activity together with other friends. because they were over 70.
After we came down to the street, lots of people were crowded on both sides of the street. The young people, the old people, and children were very excited well as I.
I don't know who they are, but I understood some saints statue with Mother Mary and Baby Jesus.
The parade was disciplined with soft music or songs.
Different groups, different uniforms, different music.
Saint Servatius
Saint Lambert
Jesus
Some Saint, I don't know the name. They had hundreds of saints, and very hard to know each as I am not catholic.
A group of priests was making smoke of Frankincense
Which way this personality appeared looks like the Main Bishop of Maastricht.
When Mother Mary and baby Jesus came, the procession stopped for a while, and all the bands and musicians walked in front of that statue.
After the Mother Mary and Baby Jesus, the procession almost ended.
It started from the Basilica of Our Lady in Maastricht, and return back the same place to keep the treasure back in the church.
This was the fantastic experience of this cultural, religious, and historical event and being witness of this I felt me very glad.
don't know, maybe have to wait 7 years?
Thank you for LouPia's hospitality and the nice place.
Next, we will go around the town and look at some interesting places.
Thank you :)
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