Bruges - Brugge

I anticipated a long, busy day today! My plan was to go to class from 8:30 – 11:30 and then work from 12 – 4.  This has all changed since the tram/metro system decided to go on strike today! Oye! I waited for a while at the tram stop. I suspected a strike when no trams rode by in either direction for a while and when people would leave the tram stop to catch a bus or go home. But it wasn’t until a guy in a car driving by waved his hands and yelled at me that there was no tram today did I finally fully catch on.

Yesterday I received a wonderful Valentine’s Day package from my family! It was filled with homemade cookies, chocolates, Girl Scout cookies, mints and chai tea! What perfect timing. I realized that since I’ve been here I’ve communicated with people via blog, e-mail, cell phone (only to those in Belgium), Facebook (wall posts and messages), Skype (video and chat), letter, and now, package! I think I’ve covered just about every angle. Anyways, in case you’re wondering… Belgians do celebrate Valentine’s Day. I saw many young students carrying flowers with them on the tram ride home from school. I’m assuming they received them from people at school. Vesalius also gave the option to buy people flowers for Valentine’s Day. There were also chocolates in the shape of hearts and such and store windows displays dedicated to yesterday’s special day of love. Yes, America gets a little more hyped up about it, but then again, what doesn’t America go all out for? We (or they? I don’t know how to refer to America right now) tend to get a little out of hand with things such as Valentine’s Day sometimes.

I want to take a paragraph to let everyone know that my Valentine is in the process of growing a protest beard. Yes, he’s protesting my being away. The growth started when I left and he says he’s not shaving until I return. I’ve heard it referred to as “ferocious” and “glorious” among other things. Burrito gets caught in it sometimes.  That’s how you know it’s a real beard. I have been able to see it via Skype numerous times but I do feel as though I’m missing out on so much of its ferocity (ferociousness?) and gloriousness (glorocity?) as I’m not able to see it in real life. If you have a chance, you should check it out and provide an adjective you deem fitting.

This weekend I trotted off to Bruges, Belgium. By trotted I mean I took the train. My host mom uses this word a lot and I wanted to use it, too. There is a class offered at Vesalius that does day/weekend trips throughout the semester. I decided not to be in this class, but they allowed me to go with them on Saturday to Bruges! I think I’ll join them again this weekend in Antwerp, Belgium.

Bruges is an adorable city! Nearly every building had a Dutch front. It was quaint and peaceful, but still bustling with people. As we walked around we heard the clip clopping of horses hoofs as carriages rode through the cobblestone streets.  There were canals running through the city, too. They have cute chocolate shops all over. There is even a “lover’s bridge.”

We walked throughout most of the city, I think. We saw many a museum and painting, mostly paintings of Jesus and Mary. I saw a statue that Michelangelo himself made! I saw Jesus’ blood, too! Well… “Jesus’ blood.” In one of the churches this was a relic they had. People on pilgrimages apparently go to all the churches with relics. So I guess I’m partway through my pilgrimage. I signed a petition against animal testing or something. We climbed the Belfry clock tower (as seen in the movie In Bruges apparently) all the way to the top! The stairs were narrow and winding. If ever we came across people going the opposite direction as us we all had to get really skinny and hope nobody fell down the stairs. The view at the top was so amazing!

We barely caught the train on the way home! We had to run to get there in time and then we ended up on the wrong platform and had to run to the correct platform. We arrived at the top of the stairs for that platform just in time to hear the beeping sound the doors make when they are closing. Luckily there was one door still open and we all hopped inside just in time to drive away! Talk about a close call.

I arrived at home just in time for my host mom and I to go out for a late dinner. We went to this wonderful restaurant in the Grand Place where I enjoyed a delicious steak with a creamy white sauce served with, you’ll never guess, frites (fries)! I wouldn’t suspect a fancy meal to be served with fries, but Belgians are all about their frites and they have reason to be! Mechthild enjoyed some kidneys for dinner. I debated on whether or not I should get mussels as Belgium is known for their mussels but I eventually decided to try them another time. As we were sitting there, our neighbors ordered though mussels so I was able to see what they look like and how you eat them. After they left, new neighbors came and ordered brain and snails. So while we were sitting there we were able to see many unique meals. I don’t think I’ll ever try brain. Mussels, yes. Brain, no. I love trying new things, especially new foods; but I don’t think I could ever eat brain. We drank wine and tea/coffee and shared a crème brûlée, too. It was a lovely evening for us girls. We chatted and ate and walked around for a bit.

On my days off I find that I keep myself very busy. However, I somehow manage to do hardly any homework amidst all the business! I’m not even sure what I do all the daylong on my computer! This habit I’ve become so used to needs to change. I have my first test on Thursday and papers due soon! I hope/need to get some studying done today. The motivation is just sort of lacking. I think I’ll eat some chocolate instead.

It's Phil! This is an example of his beard via Skype from a couple weeks back.

Tram 44

We swipe our metro pass on the red thing

The entire group in Bruges

Nuns live here. It's a quite zone.

The horse and carriage coming down the street

An ambulance from a few years back

A really old book

This piece of art was in the hospital museum. I don't think I'd want him as my doctor.

Some of the tools they used in the past in hospitals

Yep, we sign petitions against animal testing

Belfry Clock Tower

Our tour guide (and their professor for the class) for the day. We always looked for the umbrella if we got lost.

Making our way to the top

View from above

We took lots of pictures while we were up there

They were kind of excited they made it

So were we

Curious as to what cities were in which direction? The curiosity can be put to rest. You now know.

And back down we go

Clock tower conquered. 

They were all eating Subway! I deemed it picture worthy.

I don't know what it's used for. I do know that it's really sweet.

Martine (our leader) would stop and chat to us at points throughout the day about what we've seen/seeing, what's next, important things to note, etc.

During the chats (that were more like lectures) people got a little distracted... they put on chap stick...

They looked at the pictures they've taken...

They made really serious faces...

These people were standing in a very nice and straight line. Nobody could figure out why.

A frite museum! We didn't go inside.

Jan Van Eyck. He's a famous artist. 

I thought this was rather ironic. This sign was in one of the churches.

She's kind of in awe.

We got a cool souvenir after looking at Jesus' blood

I find the bear to be quite amusing. Don't you?

Weird Tree Lane. Apparently it's not just Brussels that has these trees; it's all of Belgium!

Lover's Bridge. We got a little out of hand, but it's okay because we're Americans. That's what we do.

Michelangelo's Madonna and Child  

A pulpit

This is what happens at European bachelor parties...

Oh, yeah, there's the groom! He's the one whose rear end you have a nice view of

I wasn't sure what this was but it looked delicious! My guess? Fudge or some kind of chocolate log that you can slice up. 

They had dragon benches all over

We just made it on the train! Phew!