Slept wonderfully, enjoyed another amazing breakfast and checked out of the Holiday Inn Expo.We were going to take the tram into Ghent, but it was hot and we figured the car would be better.
There is much talk about what the town should be called. In the past it was called “Gent” and even have photos proving that but now, for some reason, they added an H and changed it to “Ghent.” I personally like it with an H as I think it more pleasing to the eye, so there you go. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghent
Even though it was the last day of the annual Ghent Festival, we made it in fine, found a parking space, thought we were very lucky, walked about 1/2 mile, found out we were still quite a ways away from the center of town, decided to retrieve the car, I waited on the street like a hooker, Han walked back, then swung by to pick me up. We did not want to leave the car so far away, since it had all our electronics and luggage inside.
We drove to the underground parking garage and we were both very glad to have made that decision. Especially knowing that after traipsing around Ghent, we surely would not have appreciated the long hike back to the original parking space.
I admired Ghent so much more than Brugge. I know most people who have visited both will find that backwards, but I have always been a bit abnormal.
The only thing that decreased my enjoyment was that they had had a 10 day festival, which ended on this day, and everything was set up for the Grand Finale which depreciated the surroundings substantially.
It was busy and bustling like most tourist cities (even though it was on a Sunday), but I enjoyed the sights of the castle, churches, canals, bikes, flowers, original wall artwork, houseboats, bridges and even the cute hostel where a huge pink elephant set atop the doorway.
Be mindful and very careful as the trams run extremely close to the sidewalk, about five inches from the curb. Be on the alert when the bell rings, as it will also startle you because occasionally they will come zooming unexpectedly around a corner. It will definitely keep you on your toes.
We only stayed about 3 hours walking the center, as Jos and Ria (Han’s brother & his sweet wife) were expecting us, and we were tired too. We are staying with them for about one and half weeks. Our sleeping quarters are set up in Jos’s art gallery named REM, that is attached to the farmhouse, so we have splendid surroundings with all his lovely artwork to wake up to.
However the outdoor pigeons early in the morning are not my friends, although they are not as irritating as roosters.
General Belgium travel impressions to heed if needed:
• The drivers are maniacs! They have no qualms in shoving you off the road.
Tailgating is a game for them. Do not brake check them. You WILL end up with their car attached to your backside.
They weave in and out of traffic and squeeze into the tiniest of areas between other vehicles. Picture a van parking in a Fiat spot. Yeah, its like that!
Volvo drivers specifically think they are indestructible and think nothing of flying down the highway while their little ones are sitting cozily in the back. They will dart in front of one of the many semis, and trust that the semis’ brakes work.
I am fairly sure no one is aware of the speed limits, as few obey them.
We passed a car that had just passed us and we glanced over to see her popping a pimple on her chin while weaving all over the road. I literally got so pissed, I hit the window glass before realizing what I did. I think I was mentally slapping her and my brain turned on me. LOL
Once she was finished with her face, she again shot past us like a torpedo.
• The other thing, road signs! The exit signs sometimes come before the exit, or immediately at the exit. I highly suggest a GPS or use your phone. We missed too many roads due to poorly located signage.
• Okay I have good news. You will rarely find any road kill on any of the roads. People are very responsible pet owners, farm animals are closely monitored and the wildlife seems to be overly intelligent or at least clever enough to stay off the roads.
Hints: If you have to sleep on inflatable mattresses, do yourself a favor and spend a few extra dollars to purchase the raised type. It is more comfortable and simply easier to crawl out of in the morning.
Always, no matter if you are going for three days or one, carry a simple jacket. You will always need one when you don’t have it.
Also if you wear contacts, keep a spare set with you at all times. This is one item that can really turn into an extreme difficult situation if you are unprepared.
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You may not believe it, but I have finally caught up to you in your travels. I have been reading for hours on separate occasions; finally caught up with you. I will never know how you have written this many words. It is like I am there with you; you are so funny and clever. I don’t envy all the travel, I am appreciating it vicariously though!
You will have enough memories to last you entire life. Much love to you and Han,
XXO K
Did my first message not come through?
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Hi Kay, just saw the message for the first time. We’re at Jos and Ria in Holland and leave for Paris, Lyon, Cannes, Genoa, Florence, Perugia, Venice, Milan, Zurich, Luxembourg, Brussels and fly back to Orlando on the 23rd. Han
Thank you so much Kay. This means the world to me in not only you taking the time to read it but also enjoying it. To have my friends say this, makes it all worthwhile.
I am beginning to have a relationship with my thesaurus because I dislike feeling I am repeating myself. haha
This is also about the only way I will be able to remember it all. I can read a month back and think, “I did that?”
I hope the kids one day will read it too.
Thank you for always being a most cherished friend.