Week 24

Don’t hate me because I travel to ridiculously beautiful storybook locations and I find it hard to take a bad photograph.  Truth be told, a year ago I really had no interest in uprooting my family and embracing my husband’s pipe dream.  I had already studied abroad in college, Keegan and I took a few trips here and there to Spain and Italy and such after we got married, I had ticked off Hawaii, Mexico, St. Barth’s, even Eureka, California, {a complete dump of a town that feels like the end of the world and don’t let anyone ever tell you differently}, but still, for me that was sufficient to consider myself a world traveller.  I was happy to leave it at that.  When Keegan proposed this move, I  thought after all of these years of work stress, he had gone mad.  Certifiably.  But alas, the arguments in favor of this adventure just kept stacking up (not the least of which was the ability to travel basically anywhere) and ultimately, outweighed any hesitation I felt altogether.  And thankfully so.  What else would I be doing with my camera this year?!  We are completely blessed and Europe is amazing, but I mean seriously, I am almost sort of bored by how easy it is to find beautiful things to take pictures of.  Wandering around the charming European city of Brugge this weekend, I actually caught myself thinking how I might like to venture outside of these stunning first class backdrops. Now don't get me wrong . . . I'm not saying traveling around Europe isn't just hands down spectacular and exhilarating, but at some point, it might be nice to experience some other type of adventure.  To truly grasp these blessings by having a counterpoint.  (Don't worry Mom) I’m not talking about moving to Africa or anything, but at least for one trip, force ourselves out of the comfort zone and try on something ugly and gritty for size.  Now, it’s just a matter of getting the hubs to embrace my pipe dream.  


At any rate, meet Brugge:
We started the day with a walk through town . . . 

to get some Belgian waffles . . . 

then we climbed 366 steps to the top of the Belfry.  Liam was one proud little 4 year old . . .

and we showered him with rewards of Belgian chocolates.  I think that made him just a little happy . . . 

{my chocolate brown eyed boy}

then we continued our little tour . . .

and stopped for lunch at the De Halve Maan Brewery . . . 

more walking through town . . . 

by this time, we had walked too long . . . I'm not naming any names, but someone was getting very tired, cold, and grumpy . . . 

so we found additional refreshments . . . 

Day 2 in Brugge brought snow.  Don't let the spring-like image on the left fool you.  That canal was frozen solid.

Our walking on Day 2 led us out of the tourist center of town and out toward the more local neighborhood of St. Anna

{you can run from my camera . . . but you cannot hide little boy . . . }

but ultimately, the snow and cold chased us back toward the good stuff . . . 

and we spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying an elegant beer pairing lunch at Den Dyver . . .

and then onto De Garre . . . 

for one last Belgian Beer (an 11% house brew served on tap only at this pub). . .  
before purchasing Liam a Brugge flag {because frankly, we were all a bit enchanted by the many incredible things Belgium had to offer us} and catching the train home. Goodbye for now Belgium.  We are in detox, but we will be back soon!!