Hanging out in Bruges

Bruges, Belgium 

September 2009

Hanging out in Bruges, Belgium is one fine time.  The city boasts the "worlds best French Fries" and is decidedly the best chocolate, not to mention the tremendously enjoyable beer!!  You can see why we felt right at home.   We stayed right in the heart of the city near Market Square.  Here we enjoyed a nice cold Belgium beer - Leffe - with some of those WBFF!

To ensure that we could repeat the meal again at supper time, we decided to climb 1300 AD Belfry Tower.  The octagonal lantern at the top was added in 1486, making the tower 88 meters high. You can climb the 366 steps if you are touring Bruges on your own (and have the legs for it).

The views from the Belfry are breathtaking....     Here you see the Church of Our Lady where a Michelangelo awaits our visit. 

This a magically little area with street musicians and artist surrounding the church's lovely garden courtyard.  It is here you'll find the "lovers bridge" with all it's significance.  This is a great place to picnic and let the kiddos run around a bit before touring the Memling Museum and peeking in at the Michelangelo.  The statue of the Virgin and Child is one of the few outside of Italy. It is an early work of Michelangelo, who sold it to a rich Bruges merchant when the original client failed to pay. It is the only Michelangelo sculpture to leave Italy during his lifetime. The statue has been taken from Bruges several times, but has always seemed to make its way back to the city.

The Memling Museum, once Saint Jans Hospital, holds six paintings by the primivtive Flemish artist, Hans Memling.   This is a great site to check out if you're interested in Memling's art http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/memling

This is where we discovered Colin's love of art -- well, not really, he just loves pushing the buttons on the audio tour headset.  But it sure kept him busy :0)! 

 And for lunch, we recommend, MUSSELS in white wine sauce!!

And a cool Belgium beer and the afore mentioned WBFF!  This is a nice little cafe' across from the De Halve Maan brewery.  We did the tour of the brewery (oldest in the city) next.  Belgians are Europe's beer experts, and this country boasts more than 350 beers.  Joe and I sample a few back at the Hotel.  We both like Westmall, he enjoys Trappist (these are very potent! depending on the number-- the higher the number, the higher the alcohol percetage).  My favorite is the one in front of me -- LOL!  Here's some pictures of the tour -- note well -- keep small children close at hand when you tour, it's easy to get divided from you kiddos, and at one point you emerge on a roof top with pretty much no railing--YIKES!   Here's the drums they store the beer in as it ages.  And of course, I had to take a picture of the Pennsylvania Beer

Joe covets this array. 

I even have him going to yard sales with me in search of beer glasses for his collection.  Each Belgium brew "requires" its said glass -- no drinking from the bottle guys! 

Enjoy Bruge by horse and carriage or through their canal system.  Both complete the Old World charm!

 The driver of our horse and buggy, Finn, was the eldest daughter of the proprietor of our hotel.  How funny is that?  The boys got a kick outta feeding "Blackie" and helping water him down.  The horses are stabled outside the city and trailered in each day. 

The Church of the Holy Blood is only one of the interesting buildings surrounding the Burg Square. The Burg is a grand square, with six centuries of differing architecture surrounding it. The square is still the civic center of the city, with the Gothic city hall flanked by this Romanesque church which sits in one corner of the square.  This outwardly unremarkable church has a curious effect on you as you ascend the stairs to a wonderfully ornate church.  If you also descend to the lower chapel/crypt you are surrounded by moving religious stauary which can be a bit alarming to the unwarned visitor.

Bruges, Belgium captures our stomachs with their love of good food and great beer.  Our family enjoyed a walk through the begijnhof-- a nunery established in the medieval times for widowed or often single woman providing them with a dignigied place to live and work.  This was my favorite spot in Bruges due to its proximity to the Lake of Love and its beautiful cottage gardes.

 

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

August 2009

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is an enchanting Medeval City on the Romatic Road. It is famous for the legend of the "Meistertrunk". This legend tells the story of the citizens of Rothenburg holding out against the larger troops for many days, finally they are taken over by the Catholic troop general named Tilly. At the surrender meeting, Tilly wants to hang the council members of their resistance. He proposes to let the council members keep their lives if one amongst them can finish the 31/2 liter tankard of ale. Mayor Nusch accepts the challenge and is successful. The city rejoices and holds a festival comemmerating the success every year. The square pictured here offers visitors a little bit of the legend with the artistic clock on the gable of the Ratsherrntrinkstube, dated 1683.

The city buildings surround the main square. In the top left of this picture, you'll notice a bell tower. We climbed to the very top! It is an amazing view, but the climb was the interesting part. At the top most stair case, you anxiously await your turn to alight the 12 rung ladder through a tiny little trap door leading you to a "one person across" viewing platform. I was sure we'd all (Colin) would just pitch over the edge.







When we descended and emerged once again on the square, I was so relieved. (see picture below)













Another essential item of every trip is to try the local food. In Rothenburg, it's the Scneeballen, it taste something like a fried wonton with powdered sugar sprinkled all over it. It's good, but not as good as the Bratwurst.

The boys enjoyed the dugeons and the torture museum.

At night, around 9 o'clock PM, the night watchman emerges to make his rounds of on the city wall. He makes his way through the town, keeping a watchful eye, and cutting really BAD jokes. Ryan LOVED it!!

August 2009, Rothenburg ob der Tauber --The next day we walked to entire wall. It is such a pretty town, we are sure to be back.

Rhine River

Cruising in the Rhine River Valley

The famous Rhine River Valley of Germany is perhaps, one of the most beautiful places we've seen to date. It is no wonder people hundreds of years earlier sought out and conquered this land for themselves. As you cruise through the valley, you're treated to a wonderful view of over 30 castles perched on the cliffs. We stayed in the village of Oberwesel Whose castle is but a ruin.

However, just a few miles north is Castle Mark Castle. This particular castle is unique because it is so well preserved. Due to it location and political flexibility it Remained unattacked during the years. It was pretty cool to see all the furnishings and tapestries.

Strasbourg, France

Just for a different flavor we decided to make a trip 1 hour west to cross the French border. This is the Alasce Region caught on between the borders of France and Germany. It's lovely and the wine is sweet. We did find a nice red and some dry whites we enjoyed (go figure, me finding wine). Joe also enjoyed a yummy drink the waitress recommended, but I forget it's name. I plug that back in here another day.
Strasbourg is home to the breathtaking Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg. This is an exellent example of Gothic architecture. Arriving late Friday night, Joe, the boys & I walked down to have a late supper and found a nice open air cafe' sitting in the footprint of the cathedral. To our surprise (an delight) a wonderful light show set to music is held at 10:30 each evening in July & August on the facade of the cathedral. It's spirers, oriel windows (I had to look that one up) & carved statues are all illuminated on cued with powerful orchestral music. It took my breath away...
The next day, we discovered that all the museum in the city were free on this first Sunday of the month! (Gallaghers are lucky that's why I like hanging out with them ;0). This included the viewing gallery of the cathedral itself. We climbed 61 meters up a very narrow stairwell to a view deck just below the main spirer.

It is a commanding view of the entire city.

We toured quite a few of the museums and lunched at another cafe' just before it began to rain (see I told you Gallaghers are lucky). In celebration of the rain, Joe and I drank two big beers each and had a nice buzy going. The helped with uphill walk home.

Earlier we drove to Colmar France to visit the Unterlinden Museum which houses a compelling altar peice by Grunewald. Joe, Ryan and I listened to the head sets and found out that these paintings were created to help the infirmed deal with their painful sufferings during the Middle Ages. I guess seeing these horrifically graphic biblical scenes would remind the sick how much worse it could be? I can tell you it wouldn't have give me much comfort! The altar peice folds in different directions so the hospital staff could change the display for the patience. There was a small example for you to manipulate to experience Grunewald's design -- Colin & Jon found this fascinating.
Walking throught the streets in Colmar in "Little Venice" we happened upon a boat tour depicting how farmers use to float there wares down stream to market.

The boys really enjoyed this tour -- bonus kids ride for free. Whoever said the French aren't nice to Americans.

However, even wit all this culture, history, and architectural marvel, when asked, the boys will tell you the best part of their trip to France is the Fountain. Running throught water in your boxer shorts in a public park seems to provide enjoyment for boys throughout there life -- I won't mention any names.

Trier

Trier is a lovely little town in the Rhines-plafz region of Germany. It hugs the Mosel River and boasts delicious dry and sweet white wines. We took the train from Landstuhl to Trier and spent the night in a hostel located a few hundred steps to the Market Plaza. Touring Trier on a nice summer day allowed us to see many sites. The town is built on the ruins of ancient Roman City complete with baths and an amphitheatre. The main attraction is a well preserved gate that marked the entrance of the Roman town. It is called Porta Nigra. Joe is enjoying the view from gate over the modern city. The amphitheatre has an underground passage, that Joe and the boys were brave enough to explore (count me out!). The hostel was, well, a hostel, but it was cheap and a super location!

Our First Few Trips in Europe

Burg Nanstein is the local castle in Landstuhl. We hike here on our second nite in Germany. The boys enjoyed the ruins and the view. Joe and I enjoyed a beer.

Mmmmm!

Here we are jet lagged and happy. Behind us is the town of Landstuhl.

Burg Nanstein pictured from Bismark Turm.

Peace

I'm going wrap my arms around my Daddy's neck and remember his strength and wisdom. I'm going gaze into my Mother's eyes and smile at my reflection. I'm going smell my sister's hair and breathe in her inspiration. I'm going hug my brothers shoulders and feel their protection. I'm going take my children's hands and lead them to this celebration. I'm going to listen to my baby's heart and match his beating rhythm. I'm going to dance with life and follow where it leads me.