Monday, March 28, 2005

Bruges

After the Easter egg hunt we drove to Belgium for an overnight trip. It only took two and a half hours to get to Ghent.

Who wouldn't love a country that is known for lace, beer, chocolate and waffles?? Not I ! We walked around Ghent for a while and then had dinner in town. Although an industrial city, Ghent boasts many historic buildings and some beautiful architecture. We stayed near the Town Hall, where the Treaty of Ghent was signed in 1576.



After our walk around town, we headed to the real reason we drove to Belgium..... a trip to Bruges. Since we were visiting on Easter Sunday, we assumed that nothing would be open. How wrong we were. Everything was pretty much open and the city was packed with people by lunch time. We walked around the town, had lunch and then took a canal ride. We resisted buying chocolates but we all tried the waffles (light, airy and delicious). I even tried the beer.... it was the special Easter beer.


It was a bit too yeasty for my taste, but it was fun to try it.

My mother-in-law (MIL) makes bobbin lace (I've only been given one piece -- for my wedding day 10+ years ago and lost it that day -- I've never been given another piece) so Bruges is a favorite city of my husband's family. Because of the lace, my MIL has visited the city many times. In fact, my MIL is so proficient as lacemaking that she has her own stamp, issued in 1987. Here is a woman making lace (not my MIL!) in Bruges.



Finally, a picture of one of the many, many chocolate shops in Bruges. You'll never go hungry or worry about buying the right gift in this city. There are so many ways to spend your money!



-- said Auntie M in Paris
6:29 PM

2 comments

BACK TO MAIN PAGE