Troubled Times For This Tired Traveler Trying To Tour
In spite of only four hours of sleep, I woke up feeling pretty good. The Jet Lagged, hangover feeling was gone. No headache, no upset tummy.
I was out the door at 8:30 to walk the mile to Damrak for my bus ride to Bruges, Belgium. Thankfully, though chilly, it was a sunny morning, no threat of rain. I boarded a big red double decker bus and settled myself into an upper deck seat where I planned to snooze during the three hour trip.
Everything was great for the first two hours. Then we hit standstill traffic. Literally, not moving. And not moving some more. Then moving a few feet and then stopping again. Get the picture? Between road construction and a bad accident, traffic just wasn't moving. Our 12:30 arrival time turned out to be almost 3PM- which is a huge deal considering we were supposed to return home at 5:30!
I was out the door at 8:30 to walk the mile to Damrak for my bus ride to Bruges, Belgium. Thankfully, though chilly, it was a sunny morning, no threat of rain. I boarded a big red double decker bus and settled myself into an upper deck seat where I planned to snooze during the three hour trip.
Everything was great for the first two hours. Then we hit standstill traffic. Literally, not moving. And not moving some more. Then moving a few feet and then stopping again. Get the picture? Between road construction and a bad accident, traffic just wasn't moving. Our 12:30 arrival time turned out to be almost 3PM- which is a huge deal considering we were supposed to return home at 5:30!
Enjoy some scenes from the Dutch countryside- much nicer to look at!
Dutch Delights and Belgian Sights
Watercloset Worries For the Weary Ones Waiting
After 4 1/2 hours on a bus, what does everybody want most? A bathroom! In Europe it costs money (about 50c) to use the toilet. Our arrival coincided with the arrival of another bus of teenagers from Spain - who had no sense of waiting in line. They pushed, shoved, cut, and had a real mob mentality about it. In the meantime, our group had decided to leave while I and three other ladies still waited in line!
Fortunately, one of the husbands chased down our guide, and scolded her a bit because she'd originally said she'd wait. She divided our group in half, sent one group on their way and then waited. Soon we four ladies felt much better and were ready to tour Bruges!
We learned that it was a National Holiday in Bruges, their version of Labor Day. What that meant was that everybody in Belgium had the day off and wanted to be out celebrating. There were unprecedented crowds.
We learned that it was a National Holiday in Bruges, their version of Labor Day. What that meant was that everybody in Belgium had the day off and wanted to be out celebrating. There were unprecedented crowds.
Belgium is known for some of the world's best chocolate, over 4000 native beers, Belgian waffles, Flemish fries (a specially made french fry- twice fried and served with mayo- you heard me, MAYO), and finally, hand tatted lace.
My goal was to experience each of those things before I left. I also wanted to see Begijnhof (part of a nunnery that housed single and widowed women, now run by Benedictine nuns), Heilig-Bloedbasiliek (Church of the Christ's Blood) and have a canal ride. But how was I to do it all in the time allotted?
Fortunately, our guide tacked on an extra hour to help make up for our lateness. We were told to be back at the bus at 6:30. Also, fortunately, I met Bruce and Marilyn, from the Niagara Falls region of Canada. Marilyn and I bonded over bathroom wars and she and Bruce graciously asked me to "hang out" with them. They didn't have a game-plan for Bruges and had no idea what to do after our short guided tour. They were glad to help me check things off of my list!
My goal was to experience each of those things before I left. I also wanted to see Begijnhof (part of a nunnery that housed single and widowed women, now run by Benedictine nuns), Heilig-Bloedbasiliek (Church of the Christ's Blood) and have a canal ride. But how was I to do it all in the time allotted?
Fortunately, our guide tacked on an extra hour to help make up for our lateness. We were told to be back at the bus at 6:30. Also, fortunately, I met Bruce and Marilyn, from the Niagara Falls region of Canada. Marilyn and I bonded over bathroom wars and she and Bruce graciously asked me to "hang out" with them. They didn't have a game-plan for Bruges and had no idea what to do after our short guided tour. They were glad to help me check things off of my list!
Cute Canadian Couple: Bruce and Marilyn
Beating Around Bruges Both Blissfully and Briskly
Hopefully and Hurriedly Hailing Holy Heilig Bloedbasiliek
This picture of Christ's blood is from the internet. When you go to see it, a Priest stands over a special chest containing this vial. No picture are allowed in this section of the church. My last picture below shows a teeny peek into the area and you can see the Priest and the chest.