October 19th through the 21st -- 2013 -- A Quick Weekend in Belgium

October 19th-21st

Chris and I decided to spend the weekend in Belgium  The trip was planned so that I could see the Ghent Altar Piece -- one of the most famous masterpieces in the world.  We left on Friday at around noon and arrived in Bruges six grueling hours later.  After checking into our hotel, we walked around Bruges and then eventually had dinner at de Visscherie overlooking the Fish Market in Bruges.  The atmosphere was nice; the food just o.k.  We did, however, have a lovely walk around the city after dinner.

The next morning we explored all of the chocolate shops and found an amazing cookie shop -- Juliettes.  I purchased a cookbook and plan on trying to replicate their delicious treats.  Around noon we checked out of hotel and headed to Ghent.

Thankfully, Ghent is only a half an hour from Bruges.  After checking in, we went in search of food.  I settled on amazing french fries (pommes frites) from a stand and Chris decided on a waffle.  We then set off looking for St. Bavo's Cathedral where the Ghent Altar Piece is housed.  We arrived at the Cathedral finding barracades all around it.  Apparently, it was closed for the former Prime Minister's funeral.  We asked a guard who told us it would reopen at 3 pm.  So, at 3:10, we saw Jan Van Eyck's great work.  It is truly amazing and was well worth the trip.  That night we decided on mussels, french fries and beer for dinner.  On the recommendation of the Bell Man at the Marriot, we went to Brasserie de Graslei.  It was amazing.

On Sunday morning, we got up early to get a bite to eat.  We found a waffle place and got on line.  In front of the waffle place, two men were selling these "famous" Ghent sweets.  I went to one stand and purchased a few.  The man from the other stand came over and gave me one of his candies.  He explained that the other man was preying on tourists and that only his candies were the "real" thing.  I bought some of his as well and we did a taste test.  Honestly, we didn't like either candy, but the second man's candy was better.  After that, we drove home to Oberursel.

Here are some pictures.  First set are of Bruges.

Inside our hotel

View from our hotel room

View from our hotel room

Inside our hotel

our hotel

Chocolate Skeleton Family -- C liked the dog

Here's Ghent

Inside the Marriot in Ghent

St. Bavo's Cathedral

 

The Infamous Ghent Candy -- the real one!

October 19, 2013 -- On My Way to the Kennel I met some very nice People!

October 19th

O.k., so it is not a good idea to leave the house and head off to the dog kennel without the name of the kennel, the telephone number or your cell phone.  But, that is exactly what I did.  On Friday morning, I had to drop the dogs off at the kennel before we left for Bruges and Ghent.  My usual kennel was full, so I had only been to this kennel once to pick up the dogs.  I got the address off my e-mail, plugged it into the car and left with Mac and Ana.  After traveling 35 minutes, the navigation system said that I had arrived at my destination, but I knew immediately that I had not.  I looked at the address and discovered that I had inadvertently typed in Giesheimer Strasse instead of Giesheimer Weg.  So, I think, no problem and attempt to put in the correct address.  Guess what?  My navigation system does not have that street.  Now I panic a little (it is 10:00 and you have to drop the dogs off by 11:00 or they will not take them).  I have a great idea -- go to the train station and ask someone for directions.  I arrive at the train station and find a cab driver.  I ask him "Wo ist Giesheimer Weg" not "Strasse".  He points and gives me directions in German which I sort of understand.  I follow the directions and end up at --yes, you guessed it -- Giesheimer Strasse.  So, my next plan is to go into town and ask directions.  I stop at a Foto Shop and ask the woman there -- Sprechen Sie Englisch?  She tells me that she speaks a little English, so I ask her if she know where the Tierpension (Dog Kennel) is on Giesheimer Weg.  She says she is not from the area, but directs me to the Stadtplan (City Map).  At this point, I ask her if I can use her telephone.  She graciously allows me to do so and I call Chris.  Unfortunately, Chris is not yet home from the airport.  While I am trying to get Chris, she leaves the store and a minute later comes back with another shop owner -- she only speaks German.  I ask her if she knows where the Tierpension is and she answers -- Ja.  She then gives the directions in German to the other shop keeper who translates them into English and draws me a map.  10 minutes later (20 minutes to spare), I made it to Birkenhof Tierpension in Weiterstadt.  What nice people!

Lesson for the day -- always carry your cell phone with you and always have the address of the place you are going and the telephone number should you get lost!!!