Bruges and Paris

Welcome back faithful followers!  We have quite an update for you.  We've been "In Bruges" and in "Paris - When It Sizzles" since we last had a chance to blog.  For these trips, we've also had the company of my Mom to help us "make memories."

Bruges is an extremely charming old town in northern Belgium.  It is one of the few places to have not been effected by either World War, thus the original beauty from centuries ago is still there for us to appreciate now.  Bruges has been referred to as "The Venice of the North," as there are canals throughout the city.  

We took a tour boat on the canal and we were able to learn quite a bit of history of Bruges.  For example, in the picture below, the Belgians used cow blood in their paint. 

We also saw Michaelangelo's marble creation of "Madonna and Child" which is one of the few pieces of his work outside of Italy.

The Belfry (church in the center of town) was beautiful, especially when it was lit up at night.  For those of you wondering, we did not see the midget or the dead assassin.  Unfortunately, no Colin Farrell either...

The morning after we returned from Bruges, my Mom and I hopped a train to Paris.  In our short trip we were able to see many sights including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Le Louvre, Champs-Elysees, and we even took a boat trip on the Seine.  

 

Thanks to our friend Ida (pictured below) who lives in Paris, we were able to see the sights as tourists, skip to the front of lines, and get a taste of the local flavor.  We also ate a wonderful meal at her home that she prepared for us and were able to finally meet her adorable six year old son and visit with her husband whom we had not seen for almost 10 years.

On our last morning in Paris, my Mom and I stopped at the Four Seasons to get a drink and ran into my friend Amanda and her husband Matthew who were celebrating their two year wedding anniversary... small world!!!!

Back on the home front, we are doing well.  We finally received our sea shipment and we are realizing that having actual silverware and plates is a commodity we missed, after using plastic utensils and paper plates the last couple of months! Due to the recycling laws here, we had to straighten out all the packing paper and fold it neatly.  Rylee decided to help me in this endeavor.  Our garden has several rose bushes and is beginning to bloom roses that are growing to be as big as Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors!