Crazy Catch Up...

Well, we're baaaaack! And I have absolutely no idea where to begin. We have traversed western Europe for 18 days and lived to tell the tales. Barely. Now, I am in my living room drowning amidst gargantuan piles of laundry, trying to figure out the best way to recap what's been happening since December 16th. I think the best strategy I can come up with is to hit the highlights from every city in pictures, throwing in relevant entertaining anecdotes as they arise. But in the interest of time and my desire to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome, I will attempt to condense our thousands (literally) of pictures and memories into realistically manageable posts. I'm estimating that this period of catching up will last until I begin my next travel adventure with my girlfriends on January 14th... so that gives me a little over a week. Hope you are ready for some power reading. Here goes! Oh, by the way, happy 2012! Can you believe it's here already? I certainly can't.

The Great Grant Getaway began in the "Venice of the North" - Bruges, Belgium. Minus the freak hurricane, gale force winds, and biting cold, I totally understand how this beautiful city earned such a moniker. But seriously, it was a really quaint and picturesque place to start our journey.

Matthew and I accidentally sat in the first class car on the train into Bruges, so he reveled in the relative luxury of a wider seat and more leg room as I worried that we would be discovered and kicked out an any minute. Like I have admitted before, I am innately a rule-follower. However, I loosened up a bit as we neared the station and the scrolling electronic sign read, "We a comin' in on Bruges," if you pronounced the Flemish words phonetically. (FYI - Belgium has three official languages - French, Flemish, and German. Matthew and I spoke none of these, but fortunately, everyone else also spoke a fourth language: English. Talk about feeling inadequate.) After wandering for way too long, we found our hotel that had only been about 100 yards directly across the street from the train station and checked in. Inquiring of the concierge (who was impressively trilingual) we were advised to get a burger and fries from a little stand in the center of town. Belgium is the original inventor of the French-cut fried potato, and by firsthand experience, I can now attest to the fact that they do fries best. I think it's because they fry them twice, so they are the perfect crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It's customary to eat your fries with mayo, which was not my favorite, but when in Rome... I mean, Bruges.

It was already pretty late, so on the way back to the hotel we snapped a few shots of the Christmas lights.

This is what the Christmas market stalls look like when not in use.

I was trying to get the reflection of the lights in a puddle on the cobblestones. Apologies. I think I'm artsy-er than I am.

The next morning, after showering using a classy LED-lit, multicolored showerhead, we headed back to the infamous Christmas markets in the town center. We did some browsing, drank some Bailey's and hot chocolate (yum) and Flemish coffee (gag), and climbed all the way to the top of the Belfort.

This will not be the last picture of me eating or drinking something...

Disclaimer: Flemish coffee does not taste as appetizing as it looks. But, when the old lady standing next to you downs one in three gulps, you can't let her show you up.

Just an example of the awesome little passageways throughout the city.

Many hundreds of skinny spiral steps later, we made it to the top of the Belfry! Apparently, a man gets thrown from the top of it by Colin Farrell during the movie "In Bruges." Never seen it, so I can't verify.

The tiny door at the top of the winding stairs.

We thought it was ironic to see this outstanding green graffiti on the way back down the stairs. And I quote, "Nicole <something> Belfry, Brugge Plano/Baylor represent." At this point, Matt was so proud to be attending Baylor next year.

It was a pretty laid back day of walking around town without much of an agenda. I wanted to see this exhibit of ice sculptures with a Disney theme, but once we bungled our way around the city center through heavy torrential downpours and were sufficiently soaked/frozen to the bone, we opted for the hotel and dry clothes instead.

That evening, and a short train ride later, we met up with our friend Victor in Brussels. A magical snow began to fall, and we celebrated a white Christmas a few days early. Victor and his family were kind enough to let us stay at their GORGEOUS home, and Victor was the ultimate gracious host. That night I was in heaven, sitting next to a crackling fireplace, chatting with our friend about the must-see sights of his adopted hometown. The next morning, I awoke in time to watch the sunrise outside our window, revealing that hushed white silence that only a blanket of snow can bring in wintery air.

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go? Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow? Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light? Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night. None can fathom. Indescribable.

Shortly thereafter, we hopped on the tram and made it to the first stop on our list. We hit the ground running from there.

Notre Dame du Sablon had some dramatically colorful stained glass that was catching the light in just the right way as we walked in that morning.

It's safe to eat things you buy from the back of a truck, right? If those things are chocolate covered Belgian waffles, then yes! Best breakfast I've ever had. (And I did NOT eat both of those by myself. Matt ate one.)

One side of the Grand Place in the center of old town. It was very ornate. Each seperate section used to be its own trade headquarters/guild hall thingy.

There was a big ol' nativity scene set up in the center of the square. Complete with live animals.

The Peeing Boy statue, formally known as Manneken-Pis. That's right. This tiny tot relieving himself is a huge tourist attraction in Brussels. I'm afraid I don't understand Belgian humor.

The most orderly, grid-like stained glass I've ever seen at the Church of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula(?). This is the church where lots of Belgian royalty have been married.

I thought the suspended chandeliers were very striking.

There was a man made snow hill downtown. You could pay 5 euros for 20 minutes of skiing. Kudos for creativity. Cheaper than an actual ski trip.

Marcolini's is a premier Belgian chocolatier. Want a medium-sized chocolate Santa belly and boots? It'll only set you back 78 euros. Only $100?! What a bargain!!!

It was indeed fancy. Matthew and I opted for a less expensive confectionery delight there - some hot chocolate that was a cup of pure melted cocoa goodness.

We ended the day back at the Grand Place watching a Christmas music and lights show with all the other tourists.

Nerdy self portrait. Perfect way to end our time in Belgium.

All in all, Belgium was an ideal country in which to start our Christmas break extravaganza. It eased us into travel mode, and thanks to our great guide Victor, we felt we had covered what we could with the little time that we had. I'm grateful that we got to visit a nation that I never would have guessed I'd have the chance to see, and the more I learned about it, the more I was fascinated by it. Victor was bound for Senegal and his family holiday there, so we parted ways on the morning of December 18th. Another short train ride later, (I am a bit sick of trains, but they are undeniably convenient) we were saying "bonjour" to my family in the City of Lights! (To be continued...)