Brussels and Brugge, Mussels and Brews

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 delicio...

Our luggage arrived about 9:45 last night, and I have never been more happy to see a 28" piece of poly-carbon in my life! A hot shower and 8-10 hours later, it was time to get up and find the closest bar! Let me just say that today was a glorious day.  And while we have shorter hours in the US once winter settles in, nothing says lack of daylight like northern Europe - sunrise is about 830 am and sunset is around 4:45. This morning was beautiful - Joe took pictures of it while I was still asleep: We finally got up and headed out.  Our first stop was at the canal at Poorter's Loge - an ancient building on the canal, and one of the most photographed in the city. Since it's Christmas, we didn't expect much to be open, but it's Europe, not Alabama, and we found several bars happily serving, so we indulged.  So much good beer to drink, and so many friendly people willing to serve it to us.   Two spots, in particular, topped the list: the C...

After a pretty good rest on our overnight flight, we arrived in Munich.  Our connection to Brussels was tight, but all the internet forums crowed about how streamlined and easy Munich airport is.  And it is!  SOOOOOOO easy.  Our connection gate was a quick walk away - no one was in line at passport control, and our gate was one floor down...as long as you weren't distracted by the duty free siren song  - this was a cinch.  Then the wheels came off. Our connecting flight was on a commuter airplane that was parked out in the pasture.  We had to take a shuttle, walk up the kind of stairs that are connected to the plane (not a jet way or Home Depot ladder-type of affair), and then duck to walk down the aisle to our seats.  A Barbie and Ken plane.  Still not terrible, but Barbie and Ken didn't manage to get our bags out to the pasture and in the hold.  Heavy sigh.  We talked to the baggage service people who were very apologetic....

At long last, it's time for us to go to Belgium.  On the bucket list for most beer snobs, Belgium's plethora - dare I say myriad? multitude? host? slew? infinitude? - of beer is quite enticing.  Trappists, lambics, krieks, gueuzes, dubbels, tripels, quads, strong, wit, red, Flemish...all swimming in delicious Belgian yeast - Oh! the mind boggles.  But let's not forget about the chocolate.  Famous for its chocolate, Belgium has more than 320 chocolate shops in residence.  Top brands include Godiva, Belvas, Bruyerre, Corné Port Royal, Côte d'Or, Leonidas, Neuhaus, and Zaabär to name just a few!  There's even a chocolate museum in Brussels - I'm certain I'll spend some time there.  My sweet tooth is aching, and I'm going to have to lie down on the bed to button my jeans. While there are a couple of art museums (and notable churches/fountains/statues) in Belgium, they are not particularly known for their collections.  There is a small statue of a ...

While it would be virtually impossible to top our last year's New Year's Eve extravaganza in Vienna (Cinderella Ball at City Hall and fireworks from the balcony at midnight), we will always keep trying. This year we're heading to Belgium - land of beer, chocolate, waffles, frites, mussels, and...did I mention beer? Christmas Eve (Joe's birthday) will find us strolling the Markt Square in Bruges.  We'll stay there for four days before heading into Brussels where we'll enjoy a few days, including New Year's Eve on the Grand Place. It's no fairy-tale ball, but we've never been to Belgium, we love beer and chocolate, and we have some points that are burning holes in our pocket.  Works for me!! Check in for a taste of our adventures!