A Little Bit of Home in a Back Alley Bar

You can't swing a dead cat here without hitting a chocolate shop, a waffle stand, a beer bar, or an after Christmas sale. 

Brugge seemed to come alive this afternoon - scores of people fresh off of a package unwrapping frenzy, ready to get outdoors and spend some Christmas cash.  It seemed the crowds were denser, more kid-populated, and more rude.  (Ya gotta love the Europeans - they're used to crowds and how to maneuver through them without a second thought of those around them.  It's not that they're rude, really, they're just on a mission and all those stupid tourists are in their way.  I really do totally get it...they're in my way, too!)

Anyway, today was mostly about recovery from yesterday's beer binge.  We got a bit of a late start and went out of our way to get away from the tourist spots.  We managed quite well.  And, by the way, the back streets in the city are just as lovely as the bustling squares.

After a delicious lunch in a darling French cafe, we walked a bit to the Church of Our Lady.  One of the most notable works in town is a Michelangelo Madonna (and Child).  Currently the sculpture is in restoration so we didn't get to see it (Whaaaaa), but here's what it looks like:

This is the only piece by Michelangelo that actually left Italy during his lifetime.  And remember the movie Monuments Men?  George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman, among others...not the best movie, but it's based on the rescue of this sculpture ( and another altar piece) from the Nazis.  The church had a plaster cast of it to see...but it's just not the same.  Oh well, I guess we'll have to come back another time.

After a quick afternoon nap (that we both desperately needed), we set out again to t' brugs beertje - one of the best Belgian craft beer bars in town.  We found a table in a tight corner and proceed to scan the huge menu.

After a couple of delicious beers, I noticed this:

Now, I know that Colorado represents pretty well on the world stage, but really?  Here in Brugge, in a side-street belgian beer bar?  Yep.  Turns out New Belgium was conceived here - IN THE BAR.  On the back of this placard, folks from the brewery have signed their names.  And after a five-year tenure at the brewery, you get a paid trip to Belgium.  Very cool.  VERY cool!  So, cheers! to New Belgium - way to beer!

We have one more full day in Brugge before heading back to Brussels.  Tomorrow we have couple more bars to track down, and we're thinking about taking a canal boat tour.  Oh, and shopping for chocolate!