We got up and headed to Bruges. I had been there briefly once before about 10 years ago. One thing I've noticed in Belgium is that the highways are more like in the US, in that you can exit and cross over to turn around (so handy if you happen to go the wrong way). In Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands they do not have toll roads. In France the major roads are toll and if you have to exit you pay and then must pay again to get back on.
Bruges is charming and quaint with cobblestone streets, tiny little passages off the streets and canals. It is known as the Venice of Belgium. But it is full of tourists, I heard more American accents there. If you are not mindful you end up paying tourist prices for meals. But, it is still well worth going. Bruges was once a prosperous port town, but then the port silted up and it declined. It was largely forgotten until the 1960's and 70's, when it was rediscovered. The upside of this is that it was perfectly preserved. I have read that the only Michaelango statue outside of Italy is there too. Although I have never managed to see it.
One of our first stops was the Beginuage (hope I spelled that right). It was a place of safety for single or widowed women to live in the Middle Ages. There is a plaque over the entrance that translates to Safe Haven. Even in times of war these places were considered off limits for maurading armies. It was also the home of a religious order. The women who were not in the order could leave at any time, if they wanted to. The one in Bruges still houses a religious order. It is such a peaceful place, with white houses and buildings surrounding a large green area. Monique said in the spring the center commons would be full of daffodils. The sounds of the city and tons of tourists melted away as we entered. We could see elderly nuns heading towards the chapel. I wondered if I could take a photo of one of them. Monique said she was sure they wouldn't mind, but she did ask one. Well, this one told her that I must take her photo she would agree, but preferred not to. So I didn't. I could have taken a photo of several of them walking to the chapel, but I felt that would be intrusive.
The streets are full of shops selling chocolate, lace and tapestries. When I was here before I bought two tapestry pillow coverings. But I am past the tapestry phase now. It was interesting to see that almost every shop I recall from my previous visit is still there. They also have horse-drawn carriage tours, which look charming with the patient horses plodding through the streets. But not something I wanted to do, especially for the price.
One of my favorite stops was The Chapel of the Holy Blood. Legend says that soldiers returning from the Crusades brought back some of Christ's blood and it is at this chapel. Now sceptics might ask how the Crusaders got this blood about 1,000 years after the Crucifixion, and who collected the blood in the first place. But I will say the chapel was breathtaking, small but so beautiful. I did see the vial of blood. Whether it is real or not, it was moving. There was a service going on, so we quietly left. I regret that I was not able to buy a souvineer book for this chapel. But we were unable to go to the giftshop since the service was in progress. We lqter checked at theh gift shop in another church, but they just sold books about that church.
After lunch we went to the main square where I had real Belgian "french fries". Actually fries were originated in Belgium, not France. I think the Belgians are a bit touchy about that. Plus, it makes the silly movement a few years ago of boycotting "French Fries", and calling them "Freedom Fries" even more ridiculous. The fries were thick, like the hand sliced ones you would find in a mom and pop restaurant. They are less greasy and have more of a potato taste. Not sure how they accomplish the less greasy part, as Monique said they are fried in pure lard. I ate them the Belgian way, with mayo instead of catsup, interesting and actually very good. Different. You could get catsup, but it costs 20 cents more.
We could have climbed the tower, but with 366 steps to the top I gave it a pass. Plus it was raining and the view would not have been good. How is that for a rationalization? We were very close to the North Sea and clouds blew in quickly, but seemed to leave almost as quickly.
The next day we went to an open air museum, showing how life was in the past. There were restored houses, barns, watermills, etc. It was a peaceful, wooded setting and you really felt that you had gone back in time. Monique said that period films were shot there. It was a huge area and I think we covered most of it. I have been to a similar museum in southern Texas and one difference is that the old houses in Texas are almost always wooden, which makes them seem less substantial. We ate lunch at a little shop on the grounds, one item they offered was what would have been a typical farmers bowl of soup/stew. I passed when I saw how enormous it was. I think it was about the size of five large bowls. In one building theh woman was showing how they made felt "back then". I admit that I have never really thought about felt, or how it was made, but it was very interesting. She had made little purses, baby shoes, baby dresses, hats ad toys---all without any seams. Another thing I found interesting was how there was a "dog run" (not sure what to call it), an area where the dog was harnassed to a contraption and as he ran it caused the butter to churn. All members of the family had to earn their keep. I have seen farm implements where a mule walked in a circle and crushed grain, but never anything to do with a dog.
Of course as we were leaving we stopped for a restorative hot chocolate!
After lunch we went to the main square where I had real Belgian "french fries". Actually fries were originated in Belgium, not France. I think the Belgians are a bit touchy about that. Plus, it makes the silly movement a few years ago of boycotting "French Fries", and calling them "Freedom Fries" even more ridiculous. The fries were thick, like the hand sliced ones you would find in a mom and pop restaurant. They are less greasy and have more of a potato taste. Not sure how they accomplish the less greasy part, as Monique said they are fried in pure lard. I ate them the Belgian way, with mayo instead of catsup, interesting and actually very good. Different. You could get catsup, but it costs 20 cents more.
We could have climbed the tower, but with 366 steps to the top I gave it a pass. Plus it was raining and the view would not have been good. How is that for a rationalization? We were very close to the North Sea and clouds blew in quickly, but seemed to leave almost as quickly.
The next day we went to an open air museum, showing how life was in the past. There were restored houses, barns, watermills, etc. It was a peaceful, wooded setting and you really felt that you had gone back in time. Monique said that period films were shot there. It was a huge area and I think we covered most of it. I have been to a similar museum in southern Texas and one difference is that the old houses in Texas are almost always wooden, which makes them seem less substantial. We ate lunch at a little shop on the grounds, one item they offered was what would have been a typical farmers bowl of soup/stew. I passed when I saw how enormous it was. I think it was about the size of five large bowls. In one building theh woman was showing how they made felt "back then". I admit that I have never really thought about felt, or how it was made, but it was very interesting. She had made little purses, baby shoes, baby dresses, hats ad toys---all without any seams. Another thing I found interesting was how there was a "dog run" (not sure what to call it), an area where the dog was harnassed to a contraption and as he ran it caused the butter to churn. All members of the family had to earn their keep. I have seen farm implements where a mule walked in a circle and crushed grain, but never anything to do with a dog.
Of course as we were leaving we stopped for a restorative hot chocolate!
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