Post by Kim on Dec 31, 2001 10:41:46 GMT -5
Hello to one and all, and a Happy new Years to each of you!
What a difference a 45 minute train ride can make. Finally got out of Brussels (may I never speak of that town again!) and arrived in Brugge yesterday morning about 1100. <br>
It is like stepping back in time, as indeed in many ways it is.
The town, in the 15th and 16th centuries was a huge place indeed, both in population which equalled London's at that time, and in financial holdings and power. Then, the harbor and it's links to the sea silted over, making it landlocked of sorts and it's value as a trading port was lost. The town 'died' and remained as it was, unnoticed and basically unchanged until this century when it's appeal started bringing visitors here to see the 'old' place. It is fabulous. <br>
I have just today begun to visit some of the museums and sites, of which there are many. Yesterday I spent the whole of the day, just aimless walking and drinking up the town itself. It is full of canals, little winding streets, bridges, churches, and it beyond description. I have surely been eating up the film here! As for the 'tourists' I have yet to find in my travels....I found them! But blessedly most are day trippers and arrive on the buses and leave in the late afternoon. Yesterday evening and this morning I basically had the place to myself, but by 1300 or so it is nearly impossible to move. And this is winter! I can't imagine what it must be like here in the summer!
The people here are very polite, warm and friendly. I have once again encountered conversations, and find most everyone speaks english...without any sneers I must add. Only once have I had to switch to my very bad German, but that worked fine as we managed to get it done.
Beer! Well, I stopped in a little shop this morning which had over 400 types of beer, and their appropriate glasses for each one. Unbelievable! And chocolate as well, just walking by the shops puts a good 10 pounds or so on the hips from the smells alone! But there is nothing to beat a hot waffle, fresh off the iron, sweet and sugary and unlike anything I have ever tasted. <br>
The Christmas Markets are still going on here, as they were in Brussels till New Years and all the 'fest foods' to be had at the outdoor stands is heaven itself!
My delight in this journey of mine is restored and I am once again in pure delight at the things to see. And regrets at the things I have missed already. But I am content to know that I have seen what I wanted, at my own pace, and seen what interests me very well indeed. The others, well, there is no way one could ever see it all no matter how long you were here.
Must go now, and get back to my explorations. Once again, best to all of you for a great holiday, be careful out there if you are out tonight, and health, happiness, and sanity to one and all!
ginger
What a difference a 45 minute train ride can make. Finally got out of Brussels (may I never speak of that town again!) and arrived in Brugge yesterday morning about 1100. <br>
It is like stepping back in time, as indeed in many ways it is.
The town, in the 15th and 16th centuries was a huge place indeed, both in population which equalled London's at that time, and in financial holdings and power. Then, the harbor and it's links to the sea silted over, making it landlocked of sorts and it's value as a trading port was lost. The town 'died' and remained as it was, unnoticed and basically unchanged until this century when it's appeal started bringing visitors here to see the 'old' place. It is fabulous. <br>
I have just today begun to visit some of the museums and sites, of which there are many. Yesterday I spent the whole of the day, just aimless walking and drinking up the town itself. It is full of canals, little winding streets, bridges, churches, and it beyond description. I have surely been eating up the film here! As for the 'tourists' I have yet to find in my travels....I found them! But blessedly most are day trippers and arrive on the buses and leave in the late afternoon. Yesterday evening and this morning I basically had the place to myself, but by 1300 or so it is nearly impossible to move. And this is winter! I can't imagine what it must be like here in the summer!
The people here are very polite, warm and friendly. I have once again encountered conversations, and find most everyone speaks english...without any sneers I must add. Only once have I had to switch to my very bad German, but that worked fine as we managed to get it done.
Beer! Well, I stopped in a little shop this morning which had over 400 types of beer, and their appropriate glasses for each one. Unbelievable! And chocolate as well, just walking by the shops puts a good 10 pounds or so on the hips from the smells alone! But there is nothing to beat a hot waffle, fresh off the iron, sweet and sugary and unlike anything I have ever tasted. <br>
The Christmas Markets are still going on here, as they were in Brussels till New Years and all the 'fest foods' to be had at the outdoor stands is heaven itself!
My delight in this journey of mine is restored and I am once again in pure delight at the things to see. And regrets at the things I have missed already. But I am content to know that I have seen what I wanted, at my own pace, and seen what interests me very well indeed. The others, well, there is no way one could ever see it all no matter how long you were here.
Must go now, and get back to my explorations. Once again, best to all of you for a great holiday, be careful out there if you are out tonight, and health, happiness, and sanity to one and all!
ginger