Day 12 of 364 - Mon 8/15: Guided Tour

Word of the day:     fiets   (Bicycle)

Today we met with a local who was going to take us around and familiarize us with the city of Maastricht, take us to register as citizens of the town, and open a checking account here at the local bank so we could finally use a debit card here. She was quite helpful and it turned out to be a nice day weather wise.

Though we were both quite ASTONISHED when we went to the second-hand bike shop located at the train station. Prices of bikes are CRAZY high!!!... Yes, the same bicycles ppl ride recreationally back in the states. No wonder ppl steal them here!!! AND I am not even talking "crème de la crème". These are your everyday bikes. Kids bikes are even more than €150 (€= euro) which comes out to $210 (xchg rate of $1.40 = €1)

Commuter parking at the train station

Then we heard about the system. I guess drug addicts, especially in Amsterdam, steal bikes and then sell them back at MUCH cheaper prices. Supposedly as little as €20, just enough to get their next fix.

The woman we were with told us one of her kids had gotten 3 or 4 bikes stolen in the last yr while in Amsterdam. She told them not to purchase from these thieves, but they said they couldn't afford totally brand new bikes. .. Makes sense at $700+ per bike!

So it looks like Steve and I will continue hoofing it or will help keep the "system" alive!

Till next time...
Sarah