First stop: Bruges!
My last class on Friday could not end fast enough! I wanted to be on a train headed to the land of chocolate, beer, and waffles! I definitely forgot to pack some stuff (but hey, you live and you learn) and luckily the wonderful girls I traveled with (Jessica, Emily, Jessica, Hannah, and Sam) all helped each other out! We stayed in St. Christopher's Hostel - Bauhaus Inn. It wasn't in the middle of Bruges, but it was only a short 10 min. walk to the city squares. Being my first time staying in a hostel, I was a little nervous to say the least. We've all heard some of the horror stories, the strangers, the bed bugs, the list could go on and on. But this one, was really nice! The only thing I have to say is that if you snore, you shouldn't be allowed to stay in a hostel.. (That was the only problem though!)
We got there on Friday night, we were starving so we just ate pizza at the hostel (it was cheap, don't judge us!). Then we walked to the city square because we weren't quite tired yet and had a few hours to kill. Everything was gorgeous, all lit up at night. I can't believe people get to live by all of the amazing history and beautiful architecture, and walk past it everyday as if it's nothing. If I lived there for 100 years, I'd still be "ooing" and "aweing" all over the place! As we were walking around (past all of the closed chocolate shops) we decided we wanted something sweet to eat. The "Brasserie Mozarthuys" was open so we stopped in for dessert. I had my first waffle in Belgium, it was delicious and covered in strawberries. It was an adorable little restaurant.
We woke up bright and early, the sun was shining! We made our way back to the city center, where the two squares are. They were just as pretty during the day as the night before. While there was still decent weather, we climbed to the top of the Belfry Tower (366 STEPS!) and it was entirely worth it. The view was breath-taking. The sun stayed out all afternoon, so we window shopped and got chocolate. I got some from the Chocolate Line (blueberry, passion fruit, pecan, salted caramel, and a chocolate covered marshmallow) and yummy, thick, sugary hot chocolate from the Old Chocolate House. Even though I got a waffle the night before, I got (what I would call) a true Belgium waffle from a street vendor in the Markt Square, Jantje Vanille (**ATTENTION: IF YOU EVER GO TO BELGIUM YOU HAVE TO GO HERE!!!**) It was the BEST waffle I've ever had and I would go back a million times! The batter is like nothing else, it has pearls of sugar in it so when it hits the hot waffle iron it begins to crystallize. Since there is that sweet sugar in it, the batter isn't overwhelming sweet. I also added chocolate and strawberries on top of mine. It was the most perfect waffle in all of history and I will be talking about it until the end of time.
We got there on Friday night, we were starving so we just ate pizza at the hostel (it was cheap, don't judge us!). Then we walked to the city square because we weren't quite tired yet and had a few hours to kill. Everything was gorgeous, all lit up at night. I can't believe people get to live by all of the amazing history and beautiful architecture, and walk past it everyday as if it's nothing. If I lived there for 100 years, I'd still be "ooing" and "aweing" all over the place! As we were walking around (past all of the closed chocolate shops) we decided we wanted something sweet to eat. The "Brasserie Mozarthuys" was open so we stopped in for dessert. I had my first waffle in Belgium, it was delicious and covered in strawberries. It was an adorable little restaurant.
We woke up bright and early, the sun was shining! We made our way back to the city center, where the two squares are. They were just as pretty during the day as the night before. While there was still decent weather, we climbed to the top of the Belfry Tower (366 STEPS!) and it was entirely worth it. The view was breath-taking. The sun stayed out all afternoon, so we window shopped and got chocolate. I got some from the Chocolate Line (blueberry, passion fruit, pecan, salted caramel, and a chocolate covered marshmallow) and yummy, thick, sugary hot chocolate from the Old Chocolate House. Even though I got a waffle the night before, I got (what I would call) a true Belgium waffle from a street vendor in the Markt Square, Jantje Vanille (**ATTENTION: IF YOU EVER GO TO BELGIUM YOU HAVE TO GO HERE!!!**) It was the BEST waffle I've ever had and I would go back a million times! The batter is like nothing else, it has pearls of sugar in it so when it hits the hot waffle iron it begins to crystallize. Since there is that sweet sugar in it, the batter isn't overwhelming sweet. I also added chocolate and strawberries on top of mine. It was the most perfect waffle in all of history and I will be talking about it until the end of time.
After the most amazing waffle ever (did I mention it was perfection?)! We headed to the Church of Our Lady. It is undergoing restoration but it was still beautiful. This is also one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Bruges. The Church of Our Lady is where Michelangelo's "Madonna with Child" is on display. It was the only Madonna to make it out of Italy during Michelangelo's lifetime. It was astonishing. It's amazing how much history and culture is behind this piece of art. (History lesson: The Madonna with Child is one of the pieces that Hitler stole during WWII.)
Brussels!
We got soooooo lucky with our hostels. The Grand Place Hostel in Brussels was literally a building down from the Grand Place, we also got our own private room and on suite bathroom. We were starving last night, so we went to an English pub type restaurant, where we devoured burgers and watched some futbol. Next, we went to Delirium (which holds the record for having the most beers ever, around +2000). I got a Floris Framboise, it was pretty good.
Today was rainy and cold. It made it pretty miserable, but we tried to make the best of it. We went to a bakery, Paul, which is actually a chain and there is one next to the train station in Lux City (so I'll be visiting there). We went on a tour and the Grand Place during the day (we also went during the night and saw everything lit up, just like in Bruges), Hotel d' Ville, the guild houses around the square, the "Pissing Boy" statue, the Opera House and the Stock Exchange. Close by, we got some fries at Frieland.
Today was rainy and cold. It made it pretty miserable, but we tried to make the best of it. We went to a bakery, Paul, which is actually a chain and there is one next to the train station in Lux City (so I'll be visiting there). We went on a tour and the Grand Place during the day (we also went during the night and saw everything lit up, just like in Bruges), Hotel d' Ville, the guild houses around the square, the "Pissing Boy" statue, the Opera House and the Stock Exchange. Close by, we got some fries at Frieland.
I'd say mission accomplished in Belgium! It was interesting to learn about Brussels, but Bruges was my favorite and I would most definitely go back. I also would love to go to Ghent, to see the Ghent Altarpiece.
Well until next time Belgium! Don't worry I'll be back someday to have more chocolate and waffles!
Talk to you soon,
Kirsten
Well until next time Belgium! Don't worry I'll be back someday to have more chocolate and waffles!
Talk to you soon,
Kirsten