Sleep could have been better last night due to limited settings on the AC, but at least we enjoyed a breakfast buffet with the largest array of offerings we have seen since arriving in Europe. Food was kept at perfect temperatures for each item, everything tasted so fresh and all was continually stocked. The dining area is very lovely, large and comfortable along with multiple coffee stations. The most important breakfast item of course.I am going to post the link again because this hotel is great and very, very quiet. Almost weirdly quiet, but I appreciated it. http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/sint-denijs-westrem/gntep/hoteldetail
After breakfast we caught up on some work, then began our short trip to Brugge. We became a little turned around, but it all turned out fine and we were able to park underground next to the town center.
I thought the area and buildings were pretty, but for the most part I was underwhelmed except for the one church that I would envision as the most fairy tale of all castles and would be the perfect setting for one.
As we were walking around the center, I noticed approximately 100 people sitting kind of huddled in the main square, with most appearing to be ages of 18 to 30. I had the feeling that they were playing the new game Pokemon Go and dang if they were not. I asked and sure enough, they were trying to find some little creature. Personally I don’t understand the draw, but I prefer this activity over some of the things the youth are doing today. I just hope they are playing safely and not while driving.
I think it may be that I have seen and experienced so much lately that it actually may be too much of a good thing. After a bit, it all begins to look the same and not as special. I certainly don’t want to feel this way or look at it through eyes with anything else but awe, but I now realize when traveling for long periods, you need to take one week per month and do nothing else except normal day to day activities and find the time to become grounded, so you don’t become burnt out on several levels. Rest is good and necessary to rejuvenate the mind and body.
Our highlight of the day was our delicious early dinner at an Arabic Restaurant. Enjoyed our food immensely but even more so the company and chatting with the workers and owners who came from Baghdad. Hard working, great attitudes and joyful in their work. We sat longer than planned because we both enjoyed the vibe of the place.
There was a small sticker someone had put on near the register that meant “No One is Illegal”. Han and I both throughly approve of this message.
I complimented their food and sweet smiles upon leaving and it seemed to make their day. By the way, Americans are mostly loved by many areas of the world, but not so much our government. This I understand and feel the same.We did not stay very long in town, but I did have time to shop and purchased the most adorable coin purse and lovely white linen dress. There is a lot of shopping here, almost too much.
We were planning on going into Gent for the evening to see at least one city at night with the lights, but we talked ourselves out of it and did not have to talk very hard. The next day we found out in hindsight that our instincts had been right. Gent was celebrating its annual Ghent Festivities, a 10 day even, that draws some 100,000 people into the city center every day of the event. Crowds are not our cup of tea.
Relaxing was more on the menu along with ice-cream for dinner. Yep, ice-cream for dinner! You can do that when you’re a grown up or an over sized kid.
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