Cindy and Mike! You guys should be moved back into Utah now. I hope your move went well and that you’re getting settled and re-rooted in your old hometown. I love you guys!
Brugge, Belgium was a beautiful city. It’s a small, medieval town about 1 hour by train outside of Brussels. The city is very unique in Europe as it was almost completely untouched by the bombings of WWII. The look of the city is similar to Amsterdam in its presence of canals throughout the network of narrow roadways. Today, the city is largely a tourist destination but is also famous for its production of handmade lace, chocolates and, of course, beer.
This is the central market square which is surrounded by restaurants and pubs. It’s the center of the old city and today is a hub of tourist activity. The buildings in this area range from 300 to 700 years old! We had lunch in a building that was over 700 years old! That’s almost as old as me! Notice the crane in the picture. While it doesn’t make for the best composition, it’s interesting to think about all of the renovation and maintenance that must be required in these old cities. I think it’s wonderful that they focus so much on preserving these beautiful structures and landscapes.
At one end of the market square is the “Belfry.” I have to admit that I don’t know anything about this building (my Flemish is a little rusty so I had trouble reading the signs), but it was really beautiful. When the clock in the tower chimed it sounded amazing. Also, as if that wasn’t enough, I actually had a wonderful view of the clock tower from my bedroom! I didn’t realize it until I laid down to go to sleep. Thinking about the wonderful day we’d just had and all the incredible things we saw, I laid my head on my pillow, opened my eyes and looked up to see the moonlit tower and thought, “You’ve got to be freakin’ kidding me!” It was too funny! This city was really just one beautiful site after another.
This is a great example of the beautiful canal streets lined with wonderful, old brick buildings. As you can see, some of the buildings were painted, and sometimes in bold colors like this bright purple building. It sounds like it might be a bit garish, but it was really beautiful and charming and felt completely appropriate.
Here’s a shot shops and cafés along a canal. Jenny, you were totally right! This place does look like it’s right out of a fairytale.
The architecture was really something else. All of the buildings are brick or stone and display beautifully detailed craftsmanship.
A nice example of the detailed masonry…
OK, just one more “architecture” shot. A beautiful old church built right into the canal.
Here are a couple of details that I thought were really nice.
A wonderful old doorknob…
Cracked paint on a window sill… (funny how it seems beautiful here but not at home)
We stayed in a small hotel just outside of the central market square, which was a great location. The hotel was modest but very comfortable and the staff were very friendly. In fact, I found most of the people in Brugge to be friendlier than in Brussels. Probably a factor of the smaller city and closer community I imagine. However, even in Brugge, restaurant service was very curt and not terribly friendly. No matter, I still got my beer.
Here’s our hotel…
This is the view of roof tops and buildings from our rooms…
This is our street…
As I mentioned, some of the main crafts in Brugge include chocolate and beer. You can imagine my glee. Did I just say “glee”? Yes, I did in fact run around like a kid drooling at all the delicious things in the windows.
This particular chocolate shop was my favorite.
Another artisan found away to combine both of her crafts; beer & chocolate… Andrew, for some reason I thought of you in particular when I saw this. It’s a little hard to tell in this picture, but this bottle of Duvel (a delicious Belgian beer) and glass behind it is made of chocolate! Mmmm, beery, chocolaty goodness…
Another unique little shop. Hmmm, I wonder what they sell here? Hint, it’s not a restaurant.
OK, Jenny, this one’s for you! I saw this window shade in a house on a residential street while I was on a walk. I thought you’d love the ladybug curtains! Cindy, you may not like the curtains so much. Or, perhaps you’d like them for your new home in Salt Lake to remind you guys of your little friends in Iowa?
Along a walk I found the apothecary. I got a kick out of the sign! I like they way they mix their medicines; in a shaker, just like I do!
Brugge, Belgium was a beautiful city. It’s a small, medieval town about 1 hour by train outside of Brussels. The city is very unique in Europe as it was almost completely untouched by the bombings of WWII. The look of the city is similar to Amsterdam in its presence of canals throughout the network of narrow roadways. Today, the city is largely a tourist destination but is also famous for its production of handmade lace, chocolates and, of course, beer.
This is the central market square which is surrounded by restaurants and pubs. It’s the center of the old city and today is a hub of tourist activity. The buildings in this area range from 300 to 700 years old! We had lunch in a building that was over 700 years old! That’s almost as old as me! Notice the crane in the picture. While it doesn’t make for the best composition, it’s interesting to think about all of the renovation and maintenance that must be required in these old cities. I think it’s wonderful that they focus so much on preserving these beautiful structures and landscapes.
At one end of the market square is the “Belfry.” I have to admit that I don’t know anything about this building (my Flemish is a little rusty so I had trouble reading the signs), but it was really beautiful. When the clock in the tower chimed it sounded amazing. Also, as if that wasn’t enough, I actually had a wonderful view of the clock tower from my bedroom! I didn’t realize it until I laid down to go to sleep. Thinking about the wonderful day we’d just had and all the incredible things we saw, I laid my head on my pillow, opened my eyes and looked up to see the moonlit tower and thought, “You’ve got to be freakin’ kidding me!” It was too funny! This city was really just one beautiful site after another.
This is a great example of the beautiful canal streets lined with wonderful, old brick buildings. As you can see, some of the buildings were painted, and sometimes in bold colors like this bright purple building. It sounds like it might be a bit garish, but it was really beautiful and charming and felt completely appropriate.
Here’s a shot shops and cafés along a canal. Jenny, you were totally right! This place does look like it’s right out of a fairytale.
The architecture was really something else. All of the buildings are brick or stone and display beautifully detailed craftsmanship.
A nice example of the detailed masonry…
The bridges were picturesque! Again, right out of a fairytale…
OK, just one more “architecture” shot. A beautiful old church built right into the canal.
Here are a couple of details that I thought were really nice.
A wonderful old doorknob…
Cracked paint on a window sill… (funny how it seems beautiful here but not at home)
We stayed in a small hotel just outside of the central market square, which was a great location. The hotel was modest but very comfortable and the staff were very friendly. In fact, I found most of the people in Brugge to be friendlier than in Brussels. Probably a factor of the smaller city and closer community I imagine. However, even in Brugge, restaurant service was very curt and not terribly friendly. No matter, I still got my beer.
Here’s our hotel…
This is the view of roof tops and buildings from our rooms…
This is our street…
As I mentioned, some of the main crafts in Brugge include chocolate and beer. You can imagine my glee. Did I just say “glee”? Yes, I did in fact run around like a kid drooling at all the delicious things in the windows.
This particular chocolate shop was my favorite.
Another artisan found away to combine both of her crafts; beer & chocolate… Andrew, for some reason I thought of you in particular when I saw this. It’s a little hard to tell in this picture, but this bottle of Duvel (a delicious Belgian beer) and glass behind it is made of chocolate! Mmmm, beery, chocolaty goodness…
Another unique little shop. Hmmm, I wonder what they sell here? Hint, it’s not a restaurant.
OK, Jenny, this one’s for you! I saw this window shade in a house on a residential street while I was on a walk. I thought you’d love the ladybug curtains! Cindy, you may not like the curtains so much. Or, perhaps you’d like them for your new home in Salt Lake to remind you guys of your little friends in Iowa?
Along a walk I found the apothecary. I got a kick out of the sign! I like they way they mix their medicines; in a shaker, just like I do!
And this one is for Mike Akey! OK, don’t get too excited, their really isn’t a Disneyland in Brugge, but this “B”isneyland sign was pretty cute! Get it? “B” for Brugge? Huh? Get it? Maybe it was just me that thought it was funny. That happens more often than I’d like to admit.
A major part of this culture is “friets.” We know them as French fries. The people of Belgium love them! And yes, they’re really good. Nice and crispy! They’re so popular that they even have a friet museum. Now THAT’S dedication! These people are serious about their potatoes.
This little guy, while a bit creepy, was pretty funny! He kind of looks like he drank a few too many beers (unlike myself, who never does that).
Thank you to the people of Belgium for hosting us and feeding us your delicious beers, friets & chocolates. Now, we’re off to France, where we look forward to our next adventure. Next stop, Paris! My best to you all!
1 comment:
Mr. French Fry looks like my Jeffy after he visited a "Cafe" in Amsterdam last year. Man, that coffee sure was strong! :)
It's been great reading about your adventures, Ieszic, thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences with us. The photos are fantastic and your descriptive writing makes me think that if this whole "let's design a garden" thing doesn't work out then you'll have a promising career as an author. (I hope you know I'm kidding, you're going to make a great landscape designer... your front yard is proof.)
You're clearly enjoying every moment of your trip, soak up all the culture (and wine) you can! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your travels.
-Dan
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