At Bruges we took a bus to the market—got a map from the Information—and walked. Bruges reminded me of Innsbruck—not in looks, but in its old world character. There is, as yet, very little of the new there.
Bruges, the capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium, is distinguished by its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings. Its port, Zeebrugge, is an important center for fishing and European trade. Here’s a blog post about a day trip from Brussels to Bruges with recommendations for activities, tourist attractions, and more. And here’s K’s picture of the Provinciaal Hof (Provincial Court building) in the Bruges market square.
There were many people wandering about, but there seemed to be few Americans. The walk was beautiful along a canal. (I took a picture with seven swans in it.)
I found her picture of the seven swans a-swimming!
We saw lace makers working. In Brussels we were told there were none left.
Here are two more pictures from K, and a short video of lace makers in Bruges.
Lace Makers in Bruges
I had said I wanted to buy one thing in Bruges for myself as a memento. I found a basket! It is made (so he said) of the straw from the linen—or rather the flax. He said it would wear. So now I carry a basket, and because I liked it so well, another one inside it. And inside those my purse! You’ll know me because I’ll “be carrying something.” The handles are more comfortable than my purse.
In one church we saw a madonna by Michael Angelo. I was not too impressed. It could have done with a little scrubbing.
The Madonna of Bruges was sculpted by Michelangelo in the early 1500s. It was the first of his sculptures to leave Italy during his lifetime.
By Michelangelo, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55786
We walked back to the station in time to have a cake before we boarded. We then—with much lack of communication—finally made the taxi driver understand that we wanted to drive by the Manikin Pis. Bertha had not seen it. We kept the driver, and went to pick up the luggage from the hotel. We made quite a sight—four passengers, eight pieces of luggage!
The Mannekin Pis is a landmark bronze sculpture in central Brussels. It has quite a colorful history dating to at least the 1600s. People regularly dress it up in costumes, with over 1000 in its wardrobe. The original statue is in the Brussels City Museum, with a replica on display in the fountain in central Brussels.
Bruxelles_Manneken_Pis.jpg: Myrabelladerivative work: Myrabella, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Wed. July 17
Our train was due out at 8:41 p.m. (20.41). We had such an interesting talk with one of the porters. He speaks French, Flemish, English, German, and a “little Spanish,”—he pulled out his Spanish book. He spoke very well in English—said he had taught himself—went to the movies to learn the pronunciation. Again, I was ashamed.
Our train was the T.E.E. (Trans-Europ-Express). New, and beautiful. Dinner was over, but they served us—and a beautiful dinner it was. We tried to find out the kind of soup it was, but we couldn’t. It had such a delicate flavor. Second course—crab (cocktail or salad), beef steak, potatoes, etc., then cheese, then fruit.
The TEE was an international first-class railway service that began in 1957. It ended in 1995, a victim of increased air travel and trains that also offered 2nd class services.
We were due in Amsterdam at 11:26—we were on time. Our hotel is near the station. The porter wheeled our bags across. We dropped into bed. It is now about 8:30 a.m. I have been awake for some time. Did this writing to keep from waking Bertha, but think I’ll get up and take a shower and have breakfast. I’m not losing any pounds.
I’m guessing they stayed at the Park Plaza Victoria, which is right across from Amsterdam Central Station and has a fascinating history. Here’s a postcard image of the hotel from this era.
