Belgium Part 2

The day after the race (Sunday), we went to Bruges. This is what Andrea really wanted to do for her 40th. She had read it was one of the most charming cities in Europe.... and it truly was! 

Our hotel was SO nice! Seth can pick a good hotel! 

This was a sitting area in the lobby

Tiny balcony off of our room overlooking the streets

Shortly after we arrived, we took a canal boat tour

We hit Belgium at the perfect time! Check out the colors in the leaves! 

We saw swans frequently. There's a story behind them.... you can find it here 

This is a traveling piece of art. It's made from 5 tons of plastic waste from the ocean! It's 4 stories tall and represents why we need to change how we use plastics.

The canal tour offered amazing views of the city! We couldn't really understand the tour guide, but we were able to take in the architecture via boat

Seth, me, Brenda and Bobby

We walked around some more after the tour and popped into a brewery

Belgium is known for its chocolate, and when you go in October..... this is what you get 

Kinda gross, kinda cool

We ate dinner at a restaurant and got to sit outside. Seth and I both had mussels (and totally could have shared!). They were really good!

After dinner, we stopped and got a Belgian waffle for dessert. There are different waffles, depending on the city. Bruges waffles are different from Brussels waffles.

On Monday morning, we did a walking tour of the city. We had a wonderful tour guide and learned so much!

The old hospital (it's also a museum)

Gorgeous sights

Listening and learning

This is the Beguinage. There are several white homes in a gated area where women (kind of like nuns, but not Catholic) lived. They cared for each other and the community. 

These homes are owned by a family and they are for people who are in hard times. They're tucked away all over the city. They're small and very inexpensive to live in. I guess it's kind of like the projects, but really really pretty.

I just love the stained glass 

So many neat details! 

Our crew after the tour (Andrea, Chris, Crystal, Dan, Seth, me, Brenda)

Afterwards, we ate at an Indian restaurant. It was fantastic! 

This church supposedly has a vile of Jesus's blood. 

Brenda and I shopped for lace!

This is a cup of the world's BEST hot chocolate. I bought their morsels and the lady told me how to make it. MUST RECREATE.

Amen and amen

We climbed the 366 steps to the top of the Belfry of Bruges 

Check out those views! 

On Tuesday morning, Seth and I had a breakfast date just the two of us at a wonderful little restaurant. Seth loves eclairs! 

We walked around Bruges for a little longer and then drove to Brussels to stay the night (as we were flying out of there early the next morning). Chris, Andrea, Seth, and I took an uber from the airport hotel to the square in the heart of the city for dinner. It was bustling! We primarily stayed in the square. The buildings are so beautiful! But it felt very touristy and I didn't feel 100% safe. I'm sure it's a neat city.... I just need to experience it for more than a 2 hour evening!

This is a statue near the square of a little boy peeing. We actually bought James some chocolates of this statue and he thinks it's hilarious #boyhumor

We flew home the next day. At the airport we found a Starbucks! We weren't impressed with any coffee the entire trip, so it was kind of a relief to find something familiar! 

We were thrilled to get home safely to the kids! Thank you to my parents for taking great care of them while we were gone!