I Got Friends in Low Places

Post hike, I met Bryan in Amsterdam where we visited art museums, took a canal ride, sought out little restaurants and spent a lovely evening in a "coffee shop" (those in the know will understand the last reference) hanging out with some rather interesting locals who referred to us when we left as "those other people."

Without plans but itchy to move on, we boarded a Thalys train for Brugge, Belgium, and a step back in time. One cannot adequately describe Brugge except to say it's a well-preserved jewel of a town from the fourteenth century (founded by the Vikings in the ninth century) with city walls and gates, cobblestone streets, elaborate architecture and a beautiful square. It has Epcot Center perfection--except it is authentic!

On our walk to Hotel Windsor (hands down my favorite of any we have stayed in this month), we learned of that night's open air performance of Carmen and couldn't resist. The photos are poor but the music, weather, and setting were magical.

Brugge (not New Orleans despite its mayor's famous claim) is the real "chocolate city." Although I am not particularly fond of the confection, I sacrificed in the name of science and sampled from three shoppes--declaring the winner to be Dumon Chocolatier.

We then hopped aboard the Thalys train to Paris where we stayed at the quirky and delightful Hotel Langlois for two nights. We had to move to Holiday Inn Express on the Left Bank for the third night. What we lost in atmosphere was made up by a high tech bathroom and decidedly less lumpy mattress.
We had dinner with a Newburgh couple who lives in Paris part of the year, spent an entire day at the Louvre and visited the Rodin Museum. We wanted to stay another night but Paris was literally sold out! We tried for two hours to find accommodations without success.

So it was off to Brussels and the Sofitel near the headquarters of the EU. Although the sites in Brussels were not of much interest to us, we enjoyed the best food of the trip.

After another two nights in Amsterdam, I left for New York and Bryan stayed on to work. Thanks, Bryan, for keeping those paychecks coming in.

How many more marshmallows can a girl take in one lifetime?

Amsterdam Canal on the way to the train station. Okay, so it was a bad hair day.  So sue me.

Carmen was a delight, especially when the 27-year-old next to us looked so miserable sitting through an entire opera. His friend was enthralled, but he eventually slumped over holding his head up and I think went to sleep. Hilarious!

Houseboat docking spots are grandfathered in and inherited. It's a status symbol to have one in Amsterdam.  It's amazing how much these houses resemble the little Delft alcohol bottles you get when you fly KLM business class.

Bryan was such a man. He spent the entire day in the Louvre and didn't complain once.  I think he has a thing for the Mona Lisa (or The DaVinci Code).

 

Brugge men in tights played trumpets for some chic party that was about to begin. Their tunics are just long enough when trumpets are lifted. Whew!

Contemplating the Code of Hammurabi or trying to figure out what this reminds me of? Insert your own joke here.

Comtemplating whether or not to order another Delirium Tremeris beer in Brussels? What do you think he should do?

Next adventure: The Jane Hotel in New York City.