A Day in Brugge Belgium
The week of Jan 15th through the 22nd of 2005 I spent on a business trip in Europe. It has been about 4 years (in March) since I was last in continental Europe. Shortly after Isabeau's death and at the time it turns out, Sarah was planning to leave me. At that time I spent 2 weeks in Europe on company business in a misguided idea of 'getting back in the saddle' after such a devastating loss, and out of a sense of gratitude for my company's support. Near the end of my trip Isabeau's headstone arrived back in Oregon and by a few accounts Sarah became even more despondent. I have often wondered how my absence so soon after Isabeau's death affected Sarah's actions later.
In any case this was the context for my visit. This visit ended in the same place as it did four years ago, Belgium, it also ended much better as my sweetheart came over for the weekend and we had a grand day in Brugge. Bless her for making me so happy.
If you find yourself in Belgium steer clear of Brussels which is big, dirty, and lacks all charm. Antwerp, Gent, or Brugge are much more interesting. I spent one night in Gent this trip. I stayed in Novatel (business hotel) in the center of the old part of town. The hotel was right next to the Hotel de Ville (town hall) with cobblestone streets and many churches nearby. At sunrise I went for a walk around town after my workout and ran smack into an old castle. The old buildings and canals made for a scenic walk as the town woke up. Children were being escorted to school, people bicycling and walking to work, stores opening, and the garbage men out collecting trash. That was all I got to see of Gent but it seems worth returning to.
But Brugge is the real tourist attraction and for good reason. It is very old having been a port city. History passed it by at the end of the 15th century though, when the outlet to the sea silted up. Since trade was the source of the town's wealth it loitered the next few centuries with its city square, old churches, and old neighborhoods in tact.
The center of the old town is the Markt (sic) Square.
Market Square
Directly behind the camera is the Belfry built between the 13th and 15th centuries.
Belfry Entrance
And the belfry itself with its 47 bell carillon and a climb of 366 steps.
Belfry
Following Doug's rule of visiting 'Old Europe', walk towards the tall pointy buildings. We found our way to the two huge cathedrals the Church of Our Lady (13th-15th century) and St. Savior's Cathedral (12th-15th century).
Church of Our Lady
St Savior's Church
Both churches had remarkable stained glass but Church of our Lady had a tour going on so we spent more time at St. Savior's Church admiring the huge organ loft...
St Savior Organ
and the stained glass...
East Wall
West Wall
North Wall
An interesting thing happened on the way from the train station. We found ourselves on a small street and courtyard when a pony ran by. As you can see he was small and and escaped from someone and was obviously frightened running around the square stopping and then bolting again. He didn't settle down until he saw big brother with the carriage. He quickly sidled up alongside the bigger horse, calmed down and the owner was able to catch him. He was pretty cute.
Lost Pony1
Lost Pony2
Tourist Carriage
Lost Pony and Big Brother
One other observation. Donald Rumsfeld has taken much heat for his 'Chocolate making countries' remarks which many people interpreted as condescending. He may have been condescending but he was also accurate. In Brugge and Brussels you couldn't turn around without seeing a chocolate store.
In any case this was the context for my visit. This visit ended in the same place as it did four years ago, Belgium, it also ended much better as my sweetheart came over for the weekend and we had a grand day in Brugge. Bless her for making me so happy.
If you find yourself in Belgium steer clear of Brussels which is big, dirty, and lacks all charm. Antwerp, Gent, or Brugge are much more interesting. I spent one night in Gent this trip. I stayed in Novatel (business hotel) in the center of the old part of town. The hotel was right next to the Hotel de Ville (town hall) with cobblestone streets and many churches nearby. At sunrise I went for a walk around town after my workout and ran smack into an old castle. The old buildings and canals made for a scenic walk as the town woke up. Children were being escorted to school, people bicycling and walking to work, stores opening, and the garbage men out collecting trash. That was all I got to see of Gent but it seems worth returning to.
But Brugge is the real tourist attraction and for good reason. It is very old having been a port city. History passed it by at the end of the 15th century though, when the outlet to the sea silted up. Since trade was the source of the town's wealth it loitered the next few centuries with its city square, old churches, and old neighborhoods in tact.
The center of the old town is the Markt (sic) Square.
Market Square
Directly behind the camera is the Belfry built between the 13th and 15th centuries.
Belfry Entrance
And the belfry itself with its 47 bell carillon and a climb of 366 steps.
Belfry
Following Doug's rule of visiting 'Old Europe', walk towards the tall pointy buildings. We found our way to the two huge cathedrals the Church of Our Lady (13th-15th century) and St. Savior's Cathedral (12th-15th century).
Church of Our Lady
St Savior's Church
Both churches had remarkable stained glass but Church of our Lady had a tour going on so we spent more time at St. Savior's Church admiring the huge organ loft...
St Savior Organ
and the stained glass...
East Wall
West Wall
North Wall
An interesting thing happened on the way from the train station. We found ourselves on a small street and courtyard when a pony ran by. As you can see he was small and and escaped from someone and was obviously frightened running around the square stopping and then bolting again. He didn't settle down until he saw big brother with the carriage. He quickly sidled up alongside the bigger horse, calmed down and the owner was able to catch him. He was pretty cute.
Lost Pony1
Lost Pony2
Tourist Carriage
Lost Pony and Big Brother
One other observation. Donald Rumsfeld has taken much heat for his 'Chocolate making countries' remarks which many people interpreted as condescending. He may have been condescending but he was also accurate. In Brugge and Brussels you couldn't turn around without seeing a chocolate store.
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