We started off early from Muiden (it’s Sunday so EVERYTHING was closed) and got to Amsterdam train station three hours early in hopes that they would put us on an earlier train. They couldn’t, so we roamed around Amsterdam for a bit. We went to the botanical gardens. I chatted with a nice mother, and cancer scientist, from Italy living in Amsterdam (quality of life is better in Amsterdam). Then we got on the train (without assigned seats!) and made our way to Brussels changing seats at each stop as people got on and off.
Poor Felicity missed her nap and was rather loopy. We arrived in Brussels and had a little trouble finding our apartment. But when we finally did, it was AMAZING!!! A beautiful garden house in the middle of a normal city block. There’s a little kitten that both Felicity and Gabriel are crazy about.
We got some take out food (much yummier than anything we ate in the Netherlands!). And bath. Now sleep.
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Gabriel, Felicity, and I went out early to find waffles for breakfast. We walked to the Grand Place and on the way got some very delicious waffles. The city reminds me a ton of DC.
Then we saw the boy peeing statue, Mannakin Pis. \240It was much smaller than we expected. We bought some chocolates then walked right back, Felicity was ready for a nap. While Felicity napped Gabriel and I snuggled with the kitty and read more of the Magicians Nephew.
Then we all set out to the Atomium. Other than “Mama” and “uh-oh”, Felicity said her very first word: “Bubbles” the moment she saw the Atomium :) It was ADORABLE!!!
We didn’t go all the way to the top, the line was too long, but it was still fun.
We came back and had nap. I went to the store to get some pasta ingredients and we had a nice quiet rainy evening. Tomorrow we will take a morning trip to Ghent.
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A very big day. We woke up early and took the metro to the train straight to Ghent.
When we got there we had fun in a big park.
Then we walked and walked to the center of town. It was charming!
We took a boat ride and got some waffles and fries. I went to the bathroom in the coolest old bar I have ever been in. There were candles in bottles and huge stone walls. I could have easily imagined that I was there 500 years ago.
Then we came home. Took naps. I watched Victoria. Then when Felicity woke up she made it very clear that she wanted to go out. So we took Andrew to the Grand Place.
Came home and had fish and chips. Gabriel and I watched smurfs (they’re a big deal here). Now bed.
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Today was a very special day. Gabriel and I went on a date to Burges. We had fun chatting and playing Duolingo (Italian) on the train ride.
The moment we got to Burges we got waffles with Nutella at the market they were having in Market Square. Yumm.
Then we went to the Basilica of the Precious Blood. We were told to come back at 11 for Mass when the Precious Blood would be out for viewing.
We ran over the the Church of Our Lady to see the Michelangelo of Mary and toddler Jesus.
Then we rushed back to the Basilica. But we didn’t have to, there were still tons of seats available. We were definitely two of the youngest people there :)
It is the feast of the Assumption today, so it was pretty easy to follow along with the Gospel. They used five different languages. The music was incredible. Then after Mass they placed the Precious Blood on a platform that you could walk up and spend a few moments with the relic. It was very interesting. If that truly is the blood of Jesus, I don’t know how there isn’t more reverence, or preparation for seeing it (the only prerequisite was that you had to go to Mass). I was definitely moved. It was so nice to have Gabriel by my side.
Then we wanted back to the market square to get some lunch and saw a really cool Assumption procession heading through town. Then we got lunch at a little Italian cafe and headed back to Brussels quickly for nap.
After naps Felicity was ready to get out again so we went to a playground. She LOVED the swings. But first Gabriel put her in the front pack to try it out. They had a great time.
Then we headed back to the Grand Place for sweets and dinner. Felicity and I had fun in chocolate shops :)
We took our sweets home for a tea party.
I like Belgium.
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We had a very nice morning. We packed up and had baths. Then Andrew and Gabriel went to the museum of musical instruments and Felicity and I had a nap. When she woke up we walked to the Grand Place. She was very insistently pointing at her mouth so we stopped for a waffle along the way :)
Then we went chocolate shop shopping. She really likes chocolate (so do I!).
I got Felicity a new hat (we lost her old one) she chose one with cats on it. Then we saw that the flower carpet that they’ve been working on since we got here was complete.
Then we bumped into Gabriel and Andrew and switched up. Andrew and Felicity went back for a nap and Gabriel and I got lunch at the same falafel place we went to last night. Yumm!!! We sat very peacefully at the Grand Place and people watched until a yellow jacket drove us away.
Then we went for a quick tour of the Palace. I totally didn’t know that Belgium still has a king!!! It was a lovely and ornate palace. Crazy that it’s still in use!
Then we got on a metro to a train to a bus to the airport. Now we’re delayed. Gabriel and Felicity love the rides though :)
Can’t wait to be in Copenhagen tonight.
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