We are starting to face the sad reality: we won't always be able to take weekend trips to Belgium. Even though it has been on our "B list," we decided to do see Bruges and Brussels last weekend because...well, we can. It's an interesting country; although the two cities are just an hour apart by train, people in Bruges speak Flemish (a Dutch dialect, and understandable to German speakers) while people in Brussels speak French.
Bruges (pronounced "broozh") was one of the most important medieval cities for trade and the arts. Once its harbor silted up, it was abandoned, but it booms once again because of tourism.
Bruges (pronounced "broozh") was one of the most important medieval cities for trade and the arts. Once its harbor silted up, it was abandoned, but it booms once again because of tourism.
I traveled by myself with Daisy on Friday morning and Chris met us after work. That makes the fifth country I've taken her to by myself. Scottish Maggie welcomed us to the Royal Stewart B&B, a gabled brick building tucked away on a narrow cobbled street. I would recommend it to anyone traveling to Bruges. Gilbert and Maggie used to operate an antique shop next door as well for over twenty years, but it sounds like it was a lot of heavy lifting and stairs and they ended up deciding to just keep the B&B. Maggie took a special interest in Daisy; after lighting all the candles in the breakfast room for us ("And here's some music - you can dance if you like"), she carried each one to her and let her blow them out. This was after showing her the dogs, Jake and Jojo. She told me she liked my scarf. "It's from Scotland!" I cheered. "I know," she replied.
Daisy and I went for a walk sans buggy to pass the time until Chris arrived. It was nice to relax and enjoy the charm of the old city.
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| Bruges' canals, making it the (eye roll please) "Venice of the North" |
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| The artist Jan van Eyck lived and worked here |
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| Fanciful architecture |
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| "The Windmills" Flemish and English are each Germanic languages |
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| It was appropriately windy |
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| More canals, swans, waving to people in boats, etc. Daisy thought that this canal would take her to "It's a Small World" |
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| Stopped for some Belgian chocolate |
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| Ended up bonding with the Dumon owner; her son makes all the chocolate by hand. |
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| Daisy didn't want to leave |
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| We waited in Market Square to meet Chris, watching horse-drawn carriages rattling by |
Chris arrived, and we were all hungry for dinner. Which was really what coming to Belgium was all about ;)
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| Dinner, complete with delicious Belgian beer (Westmalle Trippel and Brugse Zot)... |
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| ...but more complete with pralines back in our hotel room. (PS: that "strawberry" is some sort of marzipan creation) |
I should be doing my Bible Study homework and I am procrastinating. I came to facebook and saw that you had blogged about Belgium! Hooray!!
ReplyDeleteWe bought much chocolate at Dumon (since it's a RS favorite) and it was divine, wasn't it? Of course all the chocolate is wonderful. I have to say in loyalty to the Swiss, that they do a better job on the chocolate BARS, but -- Belgium praline's are superior!
This is a long comment but I must add that when we were in Bruges they were actually filming "In Bruges" and there were many cameras and equipment all around the big tower and that open area. Didn't see Colin Farrell though :-)
Thanks for blogging!
Oh Holly, so beautiful and fun. I can totally see how hard it'd be to leave such a privileged season you've enjoyed the past couple years. I would think some times were... less fun than others, but I love how you chose to relish in the beauty and adventure of it all. May the last of your European days be filled with good times and wonderment, and the new season surprise you with it's unique delights. Love you!
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