Bruge

"Bruge is frickin' cool." -Stephanie Fitzwater

First Evening
And it is! Kind of a medieval Mackinac. Touristy, but fun and you can find "real" stuff on the back roads. First night was a gastronomic catastrophe. First we decided to hand out in the Grote Markt and first get some fries, with mayo, of course, which is how you're supposed to eat them. Stephanie and I had the garlic mayo and Trace had some spicier stuff. Lesson learned - don't have them just pour it on the fries unless you really like mayo. Next we stopped at the Cafe Cronenburg on the square. Got a beer and Belgium waffle (when in Belgium!) and just enjoyed the view and people watching. Then as we walked along we hit a gelato place. Oh, yes, got that, too. Talked to Mr. di Vinci (Name of the shop, not sure what the owner's name was) and he led us to a little pub ('t Brugge Beertje) that has 300 different Belgium beers. Well, we had to go and try it(I had a Westmalle Trappist porter). So, fries/mayo, beer, waffle, gelato, beer. We decided that wasn't happening again!

Day Two
The next day we started with the Rick Steves walking tour (note the pattern of using Rick Steves). On our way we found a chocolate shop called "Stefs," so naturally the three of us, including Steph, had to stop. As we ate the first chocolate a girl came up to ask if the chocolate was good and where we got it. We all got to talking and found out Leslie was from Toronto and invited her along. When we got to Burg Square we noticed she had this guy with her. Apparently he asked her a question and then just started following along. He was kind of strange and I couldn't understand most of what he said. Saw the City Hall, Basilica of the Holy Blood and the ruins of one of the oldest churches below a hotel in Burg Square. Decided the weather was better and went to the top of the bell tower in the Grote Markt (366 steps apparently, but we only counted up to 364) where you could see the entire city. Planned it just right to hear the bells at 1:00. Decided to take a break and ate fries again (ugh, my stomach asks, "why?").

Continued our walk and went into a toy store. When we left we noticed the weird guy wasn't around anymore. All of us stopped and then ran to make sure he didn't catch up. He left though. Stopped at the Church of Our Lady and saw Michaelangelo's Madonna and Child (only statue of his to leave Italy during his lifetime). Then went on the Straffe Hendrik Brewery tour. Decent enough tour, drank the 4th generation "Bruge Zot" beer that seemed to be on everyone's tap! Got chocolate at Dumon's and started to look for mussels. Had to try them (although not in Brussels). We looked everywhere and finally settled on a place. I was not too sure, but split it with Stephanie. After they came I was even less sure. I ate a few, but couldn't bear it anymore. Trace, Stephanie and I left unfilled and unfulfilled. Leslie had a great meal. Leslie left and we got gelato (again)and ended up at the oldest pub in Bruge (? 1515). Had a Leffe, played games and cards and wrote postcards.

Day Three
Met Leslie to go to the open market at the T'zad, hoping to find fruit and things for lunch. Mostly clothes (some very funny) and desserts & meats. Went to the Chocolate Museum and found out how to make chocolate, how they make pralines (filled chocolates) and that chocolate is good for just about everything. Literally, they just about said everything. I'm not sure this non-chocoholic can believe that.


Trace, Stephanie and I (including Hermanio) went on a canal tour. The guy not only drove the boat, but narrated in Dutch, French and English (Se-VAN-teeeenth Cen-TUUUUR-ee!) - quite the accomplishment. Great little trip around Bruge's canals. Not much "big" stuff, but just a scenic place. Had lunch at the same Grote Markt Cafe (a load of spaghetti and tea). We tried to get proffertjes at another cafe later. Stephanie went to use the restroom and when I ordered they said they only serve those from October through March. Can you believe it was April 1st so they were done! Oh, the supreme disappoint when Stephanie came back and Trace and I had to say we couldn't get them! Spent the afternoon in the park, Minnewater, watching ducks, eating apples, sitting enjoying the scenery and sun.

That night we wanted a decent and good tasting meal so we went to our hotel/hostel, but they had a big party and couldn't seat us right away. So we went back to 't Brugge Beertje, the 300 beer place to have a drink (I got the black current beer). Then we got to the restaurant and had Waatoozi, Flemish stew with chicken, leeks, potatoes and onions. Comfort food. Got a free beer with dinner, too, since we were staying there. And then topped it off with a waffle. Then we decided since it was our last night we'd go back to 't Brugge Beertje and I got a strawberry beer.

Then next morning we packed up and headed for the train station. Apparently everyone who came in for the bike race thought so, too. It seemed we were walking with the whole town to the station. As I got my ticket, Trace and Stephanie bumped into Leslie, who was also heading to...Ghent!